As the rain and snow

“And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet…, And he said, ‘Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.^” And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house…’”

“The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the Lord being strong upon me… And I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days.” Ezekiel 2:2-7; 3:14,15b

Imagine being given a specific assignment that involves antagonism, ridicule, and rejection, then being told it would not even succeed. Imagine the consternation, the questioning why, the visceral resistance to ineffective, wasted effort. Imagine the dread of loneliness, ostracism, and vitriol. Ezekiel knew all these, and was overwhelmed. Then imagine the hidden, serene soul delight of obedience, the Spirit’s sustaining, and intimacy with the Lord. God placed on His prophet great accountability, then met him with His word, His glory, and His enabling Spirit. (Ezekiel 3:16-24a,27)

It may be our penchant to ask why, to prefer our own tidy plans, to avoid conflict, opposition and failure. But God’s ways are far beyond ours, reaching inner depths and higher boundaries than we even surmise. His purposes transcend human definitions of success and goodness. When we choose to trust Him and not the particulars of any assignment, we are free to follow with confidence in His promises. No matter the human reaction or earthly outcome, we can know that He is working a glory beyond what we could imagine. (1 Samuel 16:7; Isaiah 55:8-9; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

God’s intent is that He be known and revered, and His word be honored. He knows that ease and lack of friction produce selfishness and provincial thinking. He disdains pride and idolatry and will not stand for rebellion. He always succeeds in His plans. (Job 42:2; Isaiah 46:10; Ezekiel 6:5-10)

Where are we frustrated with incessant opposition? Where are we clambered with painful rejection, repeated closed doors, nagging doubt about a path forward?

Are there facets to God’s character we have seen anew, joys in His palpable presence, skills we have learned in the wearying practice? What rough edges has He smoothed, fiesty impatience is He taming? Who has heard our message of truth or testimony to His faithfulness who might later come to accept it and be saved forever?

Lord, keep me faithful to Your commands, no matter the earthly outcome. Help me trust, love, and honor You above all.

“For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.”

“You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

“As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.”

“Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.” Psalm 11:7; 16:11; 17:15; 140:13

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

“They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” Revelation 22:4

Morning entered like a silent queen, resplendent in her grace and beauty, bringing every admirer to bow. Not a sound save for the lone hawk call, then whisper-whick-whinging close by, occasional twittering starlings, and distant clanking sheep bells as fluffy ones found early breakfast. It was the light that captured the gaze, radiant through clear air, and trees. A hint of holy heaven? (Exodus 3:1-6; 33:11,18; 34:29; Acts 9:3-5)

There are times and places we glimpse the radiance of God’s splendor on His earth or in His heavens, and our breath catches. His glory is reflected in all He has made to reveal His greatness, cause us to consider ourselves made in His image, and awaken praise. When we gaze at the glory and consider Him behind it, they pluck at heart strings in a melodious sense of longing for our eternal destiny. We shall see Him! (Psalm 8:5-6; 19:1-2; Romans 1:19)

Our sights are daily filled with movement, color, messages, and urgencies. Unless we decide to set apart time and space, and close off mental or practical distractions, we will fail to delight in the excellencies the Lord has placed all around. When we are still enough to seek Him, and implement margin in our schedules of all we deem important, we will find every kind of nourishment in the beauty, hope, and longing His glories awaken.

Do we look up often enough to taste and see the glory? Is our tempo of life so fast, our focus so stubbornly set, our schedule so frenzily filled that we never pause and take time to wonder? When we assess at the end of the day, have we spent any time on what lasts and nurtures the soul? (Psalm 34:8)

“Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.” ~Walter C. Smith (1867)

Lord of Light and glory, in all that occupies my vision here below, let me see and long for You, with expectancy, gratitude, and praise.

“I am the man who has seen affliction
under the rod of his wrath;
he has driven and brought me
into darkness without any light;
surely against me he turns his hand
again and again the whole day long.

He has made my flesh and my skin waste away;
he has broken my bones;
he has besieged and enveloped me
with bitterness and tribulation;
he has made me dwell in darkness
like the dead of long ago…

My soul is bereft of peace;
I have forgotten what happiness is;
so I say, ‘My endurance has perished;
so has my hope from the Lord.’

Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord…

For the Lord will not
cast off forever,
but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
for he does not afflict from his heart
or grieve the children of men…

Who has spoken and it came to pass,
unless the Lord has commanded it?
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that good and bad come?..

Let us… return to the Lord!
Let us lift up our hearts and hands
to God in heaven

I called on your name, O Lord,
from the depths of the pit…

You have taken up my cause, O Lord;
you have redeemed my life.” Lamentations 3:1-6,17-26,31-33,37-38,40-41,55,58

In the midst of affliction, suffering weighs heavy and prospects are dim. But the prophet was in constant communion with the Lover of his soul, and there he found hope in hopelessness, mercy in misery. No bitterness could outweigh the sweetness of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Though tribulation was great, his God was greater still, and he knew this best in the crushing.

God does not willingly afflict or grieve, but He does purposely show compassion and bring revival. It’s the nurturing of grapes that fosters robust flavor, and the crushing that yields rich wine. Christ Himself was crushed for us, carrying and putting to death our curse, His blood effecting the richest mercy and cleansing. When we are cast down, we can hope in His victory and constant love. (Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

When faced with life’s darkness, what comes to mind? Are we expectant for the promise of morning light? When we remember the load of trouble, would we also remember the weightier mercy and care? When we know His goodness, and that He is our sustaining portion, we can hope through the matching goodness of bearing up and waiting. We can lift our hearts and hands because He lifts us from the pit.

Lord, may I ever call to mind Your abundant goodness and grace, by which I hope and give you glory.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh…

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?..

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:1-3,26-31-35,37-39

Jesus gave himself to obliterate the condemnation we deserved, and stands interceding and sanctifying, defending and loving. His gift of Himself spans the was and always, able both for one time and constant work. Jesus gave Himself as He guards His own, with whole love and perfect keeping.

Since these things are true, why do we fret? Why do anxieties grip our thinking and paralyze our progress? Applying scriptural truths to every concern, there is no possibility He does not know, no illness He cannot heal, no trauma from which He cannot deliver. Nothing, nothing can separate us from His love and keeping.

What steps can we take to memorize these truths as a helmet and balm? Will we transfer fears to faith, hypotheticals to assurances, what-ifs to what-I-know? What a difference confident trust makes in everyday living! (Ephesians 6:13-18)

Lord, guard my heart and mind in thankful prayer and remembrance of all that is true, that my faith be a beacon to others and bring You glory. (Philippians 4:6-8)

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,  so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight… Give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” Romans 12:3-17

The healthy body works when each part works without reservation, comparison, or competition. God designed parts to function aright, responsible for specific service and interdependent on others for the whole to perform. Trouble ensues when one falters for any reason and upsets the balance He intends. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7,12-27)

In the flesh, it’s difficult to keep self from getting in the way. We think too highly of ourselves and so saunter in pride to dominate, or wallow into what we deem deserved ease. We get preoccupied with inadequacies and think too little of ourselves, so we don’t pull our weight in heavenly assignments. The issue is we think of ourselves too much. To follow Christ is to be captivated by Him and live with abandon for Him and His purposes. Joy is the magnificent by-product when we serve selflessly rather than look to be served egotistically. (Matthew 20:28; Romans 15:2-3)

How graciously do we welcome and include others into our sphere of work and service? What are we doing to give them opportunity, build them up, help them be their best, deflect to them credit, and express appreciation? What inklings of superiority, self-righteousness, impatience, or pride constrict our affection and encouragement for those attached to us in Christ’s body? Will we name and confess each one? In what specific ways will we consider and foster others’ interests more than our own? (Romans 16:1-16; Philippians 2:3-4)

How energetically and fervently do we exercise our gifts? In what ways do we exercise our very membership to strengthen the whole and health of the church? How does our service magnify Christ and attract others to the beauty of His body?

Father, help me daily don the Lord Jesus Christ , making no provision for the flesh, but only for others’ good and Your good pleasure. (Romans 13:14)

“Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:2-3

“Yours is the day, yours also the night;
    you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.” Psalm 74:16

“The Lord God has given me
    the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
    him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
    he awakens my ear
    to hear as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear.” Isaiah 50:4-5a

“Come, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
    hear, that your soul may live” 55:1-3a

Ancient mountains loom soft forest green and strong, their crags rocky firm, sloping, reaching high. Dawn’s early light hits the tops first, illuminating, elucidating, pronouncing a new day’s benediction. So the hours begin, soaked in heaven’s kiss.

Rising from the dark we greet each new day afresh. From hushed sleep we rise in need of dawn’s light to reveal, renew, enlighten. What was foggy or forgotten in the cozy robe of sleep now appears anew. Are we watching? Listening? Waiting for instruction, filling, the strength of God’s presence?

We have in Jesus a dearest Friend, an Advocate for every trouble, Redeemer for every sin, Confidante for every fear. He is our Light and embues us with it as we come. He lightens our load while filling our hearts. (Jeremiah 50:34; John 8:12; 1 Peter 5:7)

What specific time have we set aside and guarded to meet with the Lord? What planning or adjustments does it require to keep? Do we linger long enough to soak in the light of the Word and gain its wisdom and direction beginning at the top of mind, to stay attuned until the Lord has finished speaking to us to accomplish His intention? (Genesis 17:22; 18:33; Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 55:10-11)

“Awake, my soul, and with the sun 
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and early rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew.
Disperse my sins as morning dew;
guard my first springs of thought and will;
and with Thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say,
that all my pow’rs, with all their might,
in Thy sole glory may unite.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Him all creatures here below;
praise Him above, ye heav’enly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” ~Thomas Ken (1695)

Father, shine on me from day’s start and top down, so I may think Your thoughts, move as You lead, and spread Your light throughout my hours and for Your glory.

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:25-26

“(There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)

“And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah, saying, ‘Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.'” 1 Kings 21:25-29

“Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way,.. he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he went on his way, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus.'” Acts 9:1-5

The most determined atheist, the cruelest enemy, the one raised in a false religion, or void of any knowledge of or accountability to a higher being at all. Each heart, hard as flint, can be penetrated by the omnipotent Holy Spirit. When He sets His affection on and pursues, He will break down, soften, and rush in to shape and fill and flow through. Who can deny His power?

In the grind of life and grit of relationships, we meet people we deem impossible- to get along with, to break through to, to see redeemed. But God their Maker doesn’t see the same way we see, and in full concern for and consideration of the heart has His mysterious and majestic ways of working. He’s not limited by our apathy or callousness, limited vision, or anemic faith. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Who is it who keeps us in constant turmoil or angst? With whom are we incessantly critical or negative? What relationship do we see as beyond repair? On whom have we given up altogether? Have we checked our own hearts for a superior attitude, pride in our salvation, prayerlessness, or hard heart? Would we confess our assessment of impossible and ask God to perform His possible, to His glory? When the love that transformed us begins to flow through us, our flint turns to conduit that can be life-changing. (Romans 4:17-21; 5:5-8)

Often the Lord works in such ways to magnify His grace, and increases our awe and faith in the process. Would we choose expectant trust over entrenched stony attitudes and to hope in who He is and what He can do?

Lord, soften and sculpt my heart to be a vessel and conduit for Your living, life-giving Spirit, to the praise of Your salvation and glory.

“The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go… to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’ And Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.’ And the Lord said, ‘Take a heifer and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do…’ Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem…

“When [Jesse and his sons] came, he looked on Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.^’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or the height of his stature… For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.^’ Then Jesse called Abinadab… And he said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Then Jesse made Shammah pass by… and seven of his sons… Samuel said, ‘The Lord has not chosen these… Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains the youngest, he is keeping the sheep…’ And he brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, ‘Arise, anoint him, for this is he.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him.” 1 Samuel 16:1-4a,6-13

Samuel was a man of God. He’d early learned God’s voice and through the years faithfully proclaimed it. But he was also just a man, with fears and flesh. His consistent walk and communion with his Lord enabled him to continue as God’s prophet to perform His bidding, even when questioning and needing correction. Careful, honest hearing translates to the heart for those intent on God’s will over their own. (1 Samuel 3:1-14,19-21; 4:1a; 7:3; 8:6)

It is a temptation to talk with God and suggest how He might work, and to hear only what we want to hear from Him, even to distorting His word to fit personal desires or agenda. But the faithful servant opens himself to hear God’s word straight and unadorned, and is willing to act as He directs. He confesses doubt and fear with ears for consolation and reminding. He moves forward with each step of instruction. He trusts God’s plans and perfect will. He is open to have distorted vision corrected by heavenly lenses, and ready to be taught His ways of the heart over man’s rude and prejudiced inclinations. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

How about us? Do we have a hard time letting go of failing efforts, stewing in stubbornness or regret? Are we prone to pushing what first pops into mind, rather than considering various sides? Do we tend to easy, beautiful, effortless choices over seeking God’s best?

Where do we need the Lord to open our ears and hearts to new directions and different ideas? Would we ask Him to make us willing, then walk forward at His every word? Would we obey expectantly and watch His glorious plans unfold? (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lord, for every errand You command, help me hear and act according to Your heart, trusting You with all results.

“[Saul] waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come, and the people were scattering. So Saul said, ‘Bring the burnt offering here to me…’ And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished… Samuel came. And Saul went out to greet him. Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ And Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash,.. I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.^’ And Samuel said, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord.’”

“Saul defeated the Amalekites… [but] spared Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen and fattened calves and lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them…

^“Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, ‘Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.^’ And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?^’ Saul said, ‘They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.^’ Then Samuel said to Saul, ‘Stop!

“‘The Lord anointed you king over Israel [and] sent you on a mission and said, “Go, devote to destruction the Amalekites…” Why then did you not obey?..’ And Saul said, ‘I have obeyed… I have gone on the mission… But the people took of the spoil… to sacrifice to the Lord your God.'” 1 Samuel 13:8-13a; 15:7,9,13-21

King Saul was a master at making excuses for his willful sin. Urgent circumstances, his impatient subjects, and tardy Samuel all forced him into wrongdoing that he refused to see as an affront to his Sovereign. When self is king, self is always right while everyone else is wrong. Saul’s foolish decisions became his curse, and his kingship was stripped.

God calls to account every grab of His authority or glory. He sees through every false veneer of crafted alibis and blame on people and predicaments. He does not stand for pompous swagger. He is a God of truth and demands it be our measure. (Isaiah 42:8; Jeremiah 49:16; Galatians 6:7)

Where do we flaunt ourselves as victims, excusing bad behavior on hard circumstances or offenses by others? When do explain away poor choices by blaming group pressure or pressing necessity? Where do we muddy the bare truth by whining, or simply talk too much, rather than hold our tongues in responsible maturity? Any such behavior is unappealing to those around us and an affront to God. It demonstrates weak faith and wobbly convictions.

When will we take full responsibility for our words and actions? In prayer, we can confess our worst and grasp by faith God’s redeeming best. Before others, we can speak honestly or not at all. Identifying lies and excuses and putting them away frees us to walk in the light. (1 John 1:7-9)

Father, keep me honest before You and others, replacing excuses with ownership and confession, that I would freely and openly shine unshakable truth wherever I am.

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.”

“One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple…

You have said, ‘Seek my face.’
My heart says to you,
‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.^’

Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.”

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul…
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
on level ground!” Psalm 25:4-5; 27:4,8,11; 32:8; 143:8,10

“Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you.” Exodus 33:13

As we mature in Christ, we grow in desire to know more of Him. And the more we know Him, the stronger and more wise we grow. Such is the dynamic life of a child of God.

“Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

Has our walk with Christ grown static, bland, anemic? Has a spiritual drought caused or been caused by a lack of church involvement, a distancing from the healthy refinement of fellowship, an apathy toward deep reading and study of the scriptures? Have we grown complacent in grabbing and fast-tasting others’ sound bites without significant soul nourishment, giving as rote habit with no sacrifice, settling into provincial comforts and ease with no connection to God’s larger world? These are symptoms of sure stagnation, but they can be remedied.

It is a healthy practice to regularly assess our spiritual stance: how earnestly do we desire the Lord? How do we pace our walk? On what principles do we daily stand for decision-making and interactions? Where do we sit for input and refreshment?

What steps can we take today to foster growth that blesses others and honors the Lord? How will we put into practice what we learn from God’s word? What can we get rid of that hinders high stretching and wide reaching?

Father, stir passion in my heart and mind to seek You and to grow and bear much fruit for the good of those around me and the magnification of Your splendor.