Worship for the Weekday
He Will Not Forsake Us
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Isaiah 42:14-16 NASB
14. "I have kept silent for a long time, I have kept still and restrained Myself. [Now] like a woman in labor I will groan, I will both gasp and pant. 15. "I will lay waste the mountains and hills, And wither all their vegetation; I will make the rivers into coastlands, And dry up the ponds. 16. "And I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone."
In this chapter of Isaiah the quotation marks indicate a quote from God. Perhaps because of the current journey I am on in my life, I translate these words as being directly applicable to me. God is literally leading me down a path I cannot imagine going. I sense with great anticipation the wonder and joy what awaits me down the road, I just can’t envision it in any human terms in my mind. As my husband searches for a job, he also prays and waits on God to show him opportunities he might never had seen were he still employed.
Isaiah reveals that God just couldn’t wait any longer – like a woman in labor. When it’s time for that baby to be born, it’s going to be born! When it is time for God to act, He can’t hold himself back either! These verses paint of picture of tremendous upheaval and a completely different landscape when God is finished doing His work. Isn’t that how our lives are once we turn them over to God and his care? Don’t we traverse uncharted waters and travel blind down the path that is ahead of us?
Another translation of verse 16 ends with “I will not forsake them.” I like that version better, as it reminds us that even though we travel blind, even though we are about to experience new things, in new ways, and even though we don’t know this new landscape, God will not forsake us. He will be leading us every inch of the way. Believing this to be so, I have not worried about my husband’s job search – he’s doing everything he can do. I do find though, I have little panic attacks about odd things that are seemingly unrelated! I’m working hard to turn those over to God, too.
I call to mind such an odd picture when I think of God, the almighty, all-powerful, gasping and panting as in labor. That reveals to me how desperately he wants to be in our lives and how passionately he wants us to give our lives over to him. He longs for us to become who he made us to be. Once we begin to discover who we are, God is willing to flatten mountains, dry up rivers, and literally change the landscape for us to travel the path he planned for us eons ago.
My prayer today is that you trust in the God who will never forsake us. And that you close your eyes and take that first giant leap of faith into God’s loving arms.
Mary
Grace Enough to Last
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Psalm 139:13-17
13. For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. 14. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well. 15. My frame was not hidden from Thee, When I was made in secret, [And] skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. 16. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Thy book they were all written, The days that were ordained [for me], When as yet there was not one of them. 17. How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Here it comes again: This is one of my favorite bible passages! I know I say that often, and I guess I really should just say that so much of the Bible touches me that I love it all! This is one of those passages that I think should be posted on every full-length mirror in our homes, so we can remember that we are fearfully and wonderfully made!
Fearful in this context refers to the tremendous awe and intricacy with which the human body is designed, and our inability to grasp anything so amazingly complex. It also refers, I think, to the fact that even though God knows our every thought and deed, knows what is in our hearts, knows all the ways we have sinned and will sin in the future – He loves us anyway!
Our natural response to this type of unmerited and unconditional love is that we long to know God better, to understand the words He inspired to be recorded and to explore how we might become better people. God’s grace preceded our very existence, and it will sustain us to the end of time when we join Him in heaven.
We are precious to our Creator, beautiful in every way. He made us exactly as He deemed appropriate and suitable. We may not feel beautiful sometimes, but we are gorgeous in God’s eyes. We may not think we are skilled enough in some particular area, but we are perfectly skilled to God. We may not think we’re smart enough, good enough, talented or strong enough to do what needs to be done. God knows otherwise.
We will never understand God’s thoughts in this lifetime. All we can do is try to live rightly, be the best people we can be, and constantly strive to be the perfect creature God perfectly and divinely planned us to be before He ever placed the first star in the sky.
My prayer today is that when you look in the mirror, you see the beautiful you God created and planned. And that you celebrate God’s grace upon your life.
Mary
A Saviour and a Great One
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Isaiah 19:20 KJV
And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
My last post was on October 18! I have been walking with God throughout these past several days and He has kept me quite busy! My life is very full these days and I am adjusting to working Monday – Friday with a class of three-year olds. What a blessing and joy they are. How exhausted I have been! I now realize there is a divine plan in having children when one is young! My new job begins at 7:30 am so I am adjusting my body clock and my evening and morning schedules(!) to transition into a new schedule.
My bible indicates Isaiah ministered in Judah 740-681 B.C. Even before the birth of Christ, God revealed to Isaiah that a deliverer would come in the future. God’s people would be saved and redeemed. Isaiah also though, spoke of the defeat of the oppressors which I imagine was not a very popular message! He managed, though, to stay in the good graces of ruling powers. God graces those He calls so they can do His work.
I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to work with some of God’s smallest creations. The little children in my class are a blessing to me and remind me how important it is to care for them and teach them and nurture them. Their little lives are so stressful and some of them have very difficult lives outside the walls of my classroom. While I would never assume to be a prophet of the caliber of Isaiah, or certainly not a savior, I do feel called to minister to the children. They are our future and they are God’s gift to the world.
I have discovered muscles in my body I had long ago forgotten – because they ache! My stamina is almost depleted by the end of the day. In short, I am challenged to bend and spend a great deal of time on the floor, playing and interacting with three feet high human beings! Every day, though, I feel my body growing stronger and my heart expanding. I am using this as an opportunity to be more holistic and intentional about my health. I have already lost several pounds – I don’t have time to eat much! And I am on the go from the minute I walk in my classroom.
For me, these verses speak volumes. My job really brings home for me the saying that “I may be the only Christ these children see.” That is a tremendous responsibility! It is a mind-boggling honor as well. I am so humbled that I have the privilege of nurturing and teaching these children. I know God will be my strength and my stamina in the doing of the work. I rejoice that Jesus has already come to the earth. He is our deliverer and our savior! He instructed us to bring the little children unto Him.
My prayer today is that wherever you find yourself working, whatever you find yourself doing, you will recognize that God has gifted you for the task at hand. And that He has already sent us a deliverer and savior.
Mary
Highway of Holiness
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Isaiah 35
1. The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus 2. It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God. 3. Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. 4. Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come [with] vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you." 5. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6. Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. 7. And the scorched land will become a pool, And the thirsty ground springs of water; In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, Grass [becomes] reeds and rushes. 8. And a highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it [will] be for him who walks [that] way, And fools will not wander [on it]. 9. No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk [there], 10. And the ransomed of the LORD will return, And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Today we take traveling on roads as a routine. Often we are inconvenienced by construction or repairs taking place – why does that always happen smack in the middle of rush hour? For the most part, the U.S. has fairly sophisticated interstate highway and local road and highway systems. Travel is taken for granted – as a way of life, even a necessity. In ancient times, traveling was very dangerous. Thieves waited for passersby to rob – or kill! Wild animals were certainly familiar with the availability of prey along well-traveled routes. Remember – for a vast majority of the population during biblical times, travel was on foot.
This chapter of Isaiah offers so much hope for those who have been in exile for so very long. Still today the words span time to give us comfort as well. They remind us of the promise God made long ago to his beloved. We know of the fulfillment of that promise in Christ, in the crucifixion and resurrection. We have nothing to fear, because we have proof that God keeps His promises!
Bad things still happen for reasons we cannot even grasp. People do horrific acts, and wallow in sin. Hardship and suffering exist all over the world. The resurrection of Christ transcends anything and everything we may be enduring on this earth, in this lifetime. That is what these words from Isaiah assure us. Only God can make springs of water in the middle of the desert. Only Christ can restore us to our perfected state, as we were before the Fall of Adam and Eve. Only the Spirit gives us the wisdom to know that we are only temporary inhabitants on this Earth.
Heaven awaits us!
My prayer today is that you travel the Highway of Holiness throughout your day. And that you find gladness and joy in knowing God keeps His promises.
Mary
Stomp Your Feet
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Romans 16:16-20 RSV
16. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. 17. I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. 18. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.19.For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil; 20. then the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The words to a song I learned several years ago while chaperoning a Youth Group trip to the mountains of North Carolina go like this: Be excellent in what is good. Be innocent of evil. [Repeat]. And the God of peace will soon crush Satan. God will crush him underneath your feet [400+ teenagers jump up and stomp on the wood floor as loudly as they can][Repeat verse and stomp]. Before the meeting hall underwent a major renovation I was a bit leery of standing under the balcony! Now though, that stomp reverberates loud enough that I’m pretty sure Satan heads off to the hills during this song!
Guileless means without deceit or duplicity. So, guileless as to what is evil would indicate you are not experienced and cunningly skilled at committing evil deeds or thinking evil thoughts. Sometimes guileless can refer to one who is not “too quick to pick up on” things, or who may be easily fooled or deceived. Paul is telling the Romans to be good as disciples and believers. He’s also telling them to hold each other accountable for their behavior; don't be fooled by smooth talkers, and don't let them decieve your brothers and sisters in Christ, either.
While we are not intended to remain insulated from the world, never venturing outside the walls of our churches or the confines of neighborhoods and communities, we are cautioned to be on guard. The Evil One waits for any opportunity upon which to seize his chance to win a soul away from God. I am aware that there are some who don’t believe there is actually a being in the form of the devil. Whatever you define as evil/sin that exists in the world – that which interferes with our relationship with God, is what I view as Satan.
We are to rely upon our faith community as our support and source of encouragement. We are to care for each other and hold each other up. We are to spur one another on toward works of service and good deeds. That is how we stand against evil and sin. We are never alone as long as we are in Christ. And the Holy Spirit works in and among our fellow Christians to strengthen us and grant us wisdom.
My prayer today is that you are excellent in what is good and innocent of evil. And while you’re at it, join God in stomping on Satan!
Mary
Call Out To The Living God
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Psalm 84:4,10-11 RSV
Blessed are those who dwell in thy house, ever singing thy praise! For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly.
I know I often say, “This is one of my favorite scripture passages” when I begin a devotion. It’s true every time! So much of the Bible speaks to me and my life that I very often do feel as if it were written just for me. Of course, that is exactly what God had in mind when He inspired those who first recorded the words they received from Him. Whether or not every single word or every single scenario is exactly and precisely accurate doesn’t matter to me. I believe the words are inspired so that they can speak to each of us when and where we need it. That’s what is important to me!
I share this psalmist’s contention that a day with God is and will be better than any day on earth we can imagine. I would give anything for just a glimpse at the holiness of God. Having declared that, I realize that what I say and think are not always in line with how I live, and my actions. My humanity gets in the way all too often – usually, to be truthful. I try and try to be “good enough” to deserve heaven, yet I know I will never accomplish it. That’s why I am ever grateful for Jesus. He accomplished perfection for us.
I agree that I would rather stand at the gates of heaven – just outside the entrance, than live forever in sin. Even the opportunity to glimpse inside would be unspeakably, breathtakingly wonderful! Some of this psalm’s preceding verses state: “my heart and soul cry out for the living God.” Isn’t that the longing we all feel? Don’t we seek comfort and refuge from the hardships of this life?
We are made with that inner longing. It is the breath of life, breathed into us by the Spirit of the living God. All too often, though, we seek to fill that void, to satisfy that longing with things of the world. We all struggle with it in various ways and at various times—its part of being human.
My prayer today is that when you sense that longing for meaning and value, you call out to the Living God. And that you rejoice that heaven awaits those who seek it.
Mary
God’s Sweet Spot
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Song of Solomon 2:3-4 KJV
I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
I don’t know why, but the term “sweet spot” came to mind immediately upon reading these verses today. I wasn’t really sure what it meant, but I knew it was a good place to be so I did a bit of research.
Dictionary.com defines “sweet spot” as
“the spot on a club, racket, bat, etc., where a ball is most effectively hit.” That explains why I wasn’t sure of its meaning – I am not a sports enthusiast – except for a certain college football team and a “big” football team! I’m not a techno-wizard either, but I was able to make sense out of the other information I found.
Wikipedia.org adds that it “
refers to any location in which the reception of a signal is better than usual. This can refer to wireless computer network signals or conventional radio transmissions. A sweet spot is a place, often numerical as opposed to physical, where a combination of factors suggest a particularly suitable solution.”In other words, the sweet spot is the best place to be at any given point in time, in any given situation. It is the one place at one point where all the powers of time and space and energy converge in perfection. Skill and knowledge are required, but cannot in and of themselves create the sweet spot. It is not a human-manifested state or place. Man is merely the vehicle through which it is manifested.
So I continued this thought for a while, kind of like brainstorming on a flip chart page. If we are very fortunate, we experience sweet spot moments in our lives – reciving a diploma, reciting wedding vows, the birth of a child, a goal we have worked long and hard for that is finally accomplished. We savor these moments and rejoice in them. They are rare and precious.
I’ve been talking a great deal about the desert lately in my devotions. In that context the sweet spot would be the oasis. But I think that mindset rather limits God and his working in our lives and His power and plan. We are in God’s sweet spot every moment of our lives. He thought us up a long time ago, before creation even began. We are a rare and precious gem in His eyes and we were specifically and intentionally designed to be exactly who we are.
We are always in God’s sweet spot, but we don’t always feel his banner of love over us. Our experiences and the people we meet, the situations in which we find ourselves, sometimes make us feel anything but sweet. The world is as brutal and it is beautiful. God inspires us with the physical beauty all around us. I think He offers the stars and the sun and the moon, the mountains and oceans, flowers and all of creation to serve as a visible reminder that all of it is for us. You and me. We are God’s beloved. His banner over us is love.
My prayer today is that you rest in God’s sweet spot. And that you look around your world and realize all the beauty in the world is just for you.
Mary
God Waits in the Joy
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Ephesians 4:11-16
11. And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12. to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13. until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; 14. so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. 15. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.
God, in his infinite wisdom and divine plan, has gifted each of us with particular qualities, skills, abilities and temperaments. Within and among each faith community, we will find individuals specifically and divinely gifted. The gathering of these individuals is not an accident. The next person who walks in the front door of a church could be the one person who has those gifts and abilities to complete the puzzle. God brings together exactly the proper combination of people at exactly the right time to build up the whole body.
The task-oriented list here is based on some of the spiritual gifts identified in the gospels. Some lists have ten or twelve spiritual gifts while others have as many as twenty. What matters is not what gift each of us has, but rather that we recognize and use it for the good of the whole. The community must also recognize, acknowledge and affirm the giftedness of each of the members as well. In this way, each person will have all they need to be part of the whole. And the whole community will be served in all ways.
Isn’t God amazing?! So often, though, we allow our humanity to get in the way of God’s plan. Not just in relation to spiritual gifts and faith communities but in all situations and settings. Sometimes we allow our own giftedness to make us feel we should be elevated to some special status or are due a higher level of respect and recognition than others. Perhaps, as in my case, you have the spiritual gift of servanthood. Not too exciting on the surface, is it? Having said that, I am the most joyous and feel the most fulfilled and “useful” when I am in that role. Regardless of the circumstances, I was born to be a servant.
All this ties back to that circle of life I discussed recently. Without the servants, none of the dishes would be washed, laundry done, chairs moved or tables wiped off. It goes even deeper than that, though. Without professions involving service to individuals and society in so many capacities, the world would come to a screeching halt! Think about your life and those who serve you – what would you do without them? How would you function? I really felt kind of disappointed to discover I had such an “unexciting” spiritual gift initially. I can remember thinking, “It figures . . . I would get one of those spiritual gifts.”
I now realize and am beginning to comprehend some of the journey I have taken toward the Cross. The message God has been trying to give me is “It’s not about you, Mary.” Of course, if you ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you this is a struggle for me. I
know it’s not about me. But I
want it to be! And don’t we all. Lately though, I have been yielding more and more of myself. I’ve been trying to let God be in charge of my life. He’s taken this servant’s heart to places I never imagined I would go! He has taught me the difference between affirmation and approval. I am also beginning to grasp the difference between importance and significance. I am learning that service can also mean sitting with a friend who needs an understanding ear, or dropping everything to sit with a child while the parents take another one to the hospital. I do these things naturally. Now I realize they are in line with my servant’s heart.
I guess that’s the message I want to share, if nothing else. You have significance because of whose and what you are. God made you intentionally—on purpose. He values every cell of your body, every thought of your mind, and knows every longing of your heart. Look for what gives you joy. That’s where God is waiting for you.
My prayer today is that you recognize your significance and value. And that you serve the world using your special and unique gifts from God.
Mary
Let Go and Let God
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2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
This is one of those passages often misunderstood. At first reading it doesn’t seem to make sense at all, does it? Paul seems to be saying that only when we’re weak and helpless is God happy with us. We might think we are to be glad when life is hard and when we feel alone and helpless. How in the world can we be strong and weak at the same time?
Part of the confusion is due to the way in which Paul expressed himself. Another may have to do with our understanding of how God, manifested through Christ’s sacrifice, works in our lives. Very plainly put, Paul declares for himself, and encourage us to believe for ourselves, that no matter what happens in our lives Christ is there for us. In fact, He’s within us. He is the source of our strength. He provides endurance and comfort and peace in the midst of our problems – whether we are being persecuted for our beliefs, concerned about situations in our lives, or people we love who are making poor choices, or any other man-ordained situation.
Christ is the answer to every question. Christ is the source of our energy and strength. That said, we often get in the way of Christ’s work in us and in our lives, don’t we? We don’t always make wise choices, we don’t act on our faith, we hide the fact that we are Christians, we worry and worry about everything and attempt to control every aspect of our lives and our world. When we act in these ways, we crowd Jesus out. It is not until we yield to Him and His wisdom, His strength, His example that we find true strength. It’s not until we “let go and let God” that we find peace from distresses.
The power that is perfected in weakness is that power which we yield to Christ. We have human limitations. God does not. He sent Jesus into the world to show us exactly what these verses mean. Jesus, in his human form, asked God to save him from what was to come—the crucifixion. Yet he submitted to God’s will. He knew his humanity was not sufficient for the task. He knew God was. That’s what Paul wants us to know, I think. We are weak. He is strong.
My prayer today is that you yield to Christ’s all-sufficient grace. And that you “let Go and let God” handle all your problems.
Mary
God of the Desert and the Oasis
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Jeremiah 31:12-14 NIV
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD--the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the LORD.
Did you ever feel as if you part of some great cosmic force, moving, ebbing and flowing in time with the stars and the moon and the sun? That’s how I’ve felt over the past couple of days. Actually, I’ve felt that way for a while, but the ebb and flow wasn’t moving the way I thought it should! Funny . . . when things are going well, perhaps even better than we imagined, we give God the glory and the credit. When we feel like nothing is going our way . . . we blame God, or at least feel a little miffed with Him! I shouldn’t speak for everyone – that “we” should really be “I.” Feel free to insert ‘Me’ and ‘I’ as appropriate, though.
Chapter 31 lists all the good things God will do for His people once they come out of captivity. They have been enslaved and impoverished for a long time, and have become pretty hopeless. Jeremiah receives a wonderful message from God to share with the people. Jeremiah announces that God has heard their cries and He is moving to restore them as a great people. He tells them to take heart, have endurance; come out of the desert into the fertile, rich lands of your forefathers.
The desert can be literal or spiritual. I’ve discussed this topic over the past few days. God has delivered me into a “well-watered oasis” and I know how exciting, joyous and grateful I have felt. So I really can relate to the joy and thanksgiving God’s chosen people must have felt upon hearing this great news! Wow! Home! Let’s go! God has finally delivered us! Let’s throw a party to celebrate! Oh . . . let’s not forget to thank God – and to beg forgiveness for our doubting Him.
I forget that part sometimes. Well, actually I think about it after the fact! In the midst of my desert wandering, I all too often get grumpy with God. I pout at Him and though I do pray and regularly spend time in His Word, I all too often find myself thinking that He really should pay more attention to me and my little life and my little wants and needs. I ask myself, “Can’t he see I’m having a hard time here!? What’s the deal?” Does that sound remotely familiar for you and your life?
I do beat myself up about that, but not too much—because I have Jesus Christ as my savior! His sacrifice erased all that sinful thinking and lack of thanksgiving, and washed me clean—made my soul pure white, like freshly fallen snow. All the more reason to throw a party when you’re at that oasis! I hope by sharing my shortcomings and failings – and asserting that I rejoice that I have already been forgiven before I even sin – that you may be reassured. Wherever you are in your journey, at the edge of the desert beginning the long, barren trek, or at the edge of the oasis, ready to dive in the cool refreshing waters, God is there with you. He loves us so much, and He is so big and so strong and mighty, that He allows us to retreat within ourselves for a while. He waits for us to return and then greets us with open arms.
I can’t help but offer this brief prayer of thanksgiving this morning, “Oh, my God, I love you so much for your unending, unceasing and unwavering love and mercy. And I am so grateful and humbled beyond expression for the gift of Jesus Christ.”
My prayer today is that you remember God is with you, even in the desert. And that you are able to endure, knowing He waits for you at the oasis to celebrate with you.
Mary
Springs in the Midst of the Valleys
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Isaiah 41:18 NASB
I will open rivers on the bare heights
And springs in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water
And the dry land fountains of water.
A time of spiritual discomfort or struggle is often referred to as “being in the desert.” It’s a time when you might feel kind of disconnected from or dissatisfied with God, with your life, with the capacity of your faith to uplift and sustain you through a given time or situation. I think of the Israelites in their quest for the Promised Land, roaming through the desert for forty years. We know they questioned and balked and protested and rebelled at many points along the way. They were literally in a desert, and God placed them in a spiritual desert as well, to prepare them for the future.
It certainly didn’t feel like a reason to rejoice, or celebrate in the midst of their journey. They didn’t have the ability or the desire to see the bigger picture of their lives – or of creation and God’s plan for it, let alone their own part in the plan. They viewed their day to day drudgery as just that:
their day to day drudgery. Rather than thank God for doing the refining, preparing, deep and intentional work within them that He knew they needed, they complained, often, about everything. I don’t blame them, really. Life must have been excruciatingly difficult for them.
My life, on the other hand is amazingly blessed. So what is my excuse? At 4:00 this morning I felt like I was smack in the middle of a desert of doubt, uncertainty, distress, indecision and all the other ‘un’ and ‘in’ words you can think of. I don’t like choices—what if it I make the wrong one? What if something better comes along? What if this turns out to be a disaster? What if . . .? What if . . . And how about . . .? I finally went back to bed about 6:30, thankful that I had a very rare day which didn’t demand I be up and off and running by dawn.
None of us like to be in the desert. We don’t like God to do that deep refining work that must be done if we are to approach the perfection for which we strive. It is not easy. It is not fun. It is challenging to be thankful – at least for most of us. I do know of a few rare souls who remain hopeful and grateful through even tremendous adversity in their lives. I am not there yet. I hope to be someday soon.
In this passage, God assures Isaiah that even when we are in the desert, He will provide for us. When we feel spent and spiritually exhausted, God will nourish and sustain us. He provided manna in the desert for the Israelites. We have an even greater gift in Jesus Christ. God in human form experienced everything we do. He felt pain and joy. He grieved and sang. He doubted and questioned. But in the end He obeyed. That gives me great hope that I will get to heaven. God allows us to be like Christ in every way – human and divine. That is a part of the gift we forget about sometimes—that God became man.
The human God, in the person of Christ, allows us intimate contact with the divine God in heaven. That intimacy is a remarkable, unspeakable gift. All this talk about the desert reminds me of that poem,
Footprints. When there was only one set of prints in the sand, it was because God was carrying us.
My prayer today is that whether you are in a desert or an oasis, you remember that God knows your heart. And that you give thanks, even for the refiner’s fire.
Mary
Shepherds and False Gods
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John 10:7-15
So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have gleaned a new insight regarding this well-known passage. I’m always so excited when that happens! I may be pretty slow on the uptake, but this morning I picked up on the concept of false gods. Does that sound too far off base? Bear with me, please.
First, a brief commentary regarding shepherds. They live a lonely existence; they spend a majority of their time in pastures with their sheep – unless they are wealthy enough to afford to pay someone to do it for them. The problem with paying someone else is that they don’t have the same vested interest as the owner. That’s the case in most situations, even today. A shepherd literally is willing to risk his life to save the sheep from harm – a single sheep in a small herd, could represent the difference between providing well for the family, and barely scraping by.
What Jesus is saying here is that He is THE shepherd. His life was sacrificed to save all of us. God loves each and every one of us so much, that He didn’t want a single one of us to miss out on spending eternity with Him. That’s why He sent Jesus, and then the Holy Spirit. They Spirit gives us the wisdom to know the difference between false gods and The God—the Alpha and Omega God. The true, loving, protective and life-sustaining God, manifested through Christ and the Spirit is the God who provides us pasture and peace.
My read on these passages is that if we think we will find another who can give what God provides, go for it. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself alone and unprotected when danger looms large on the horizon. Those false gods of today are just as fickle and self-serving as were the gods of biblical times. They demand worship and praise, but offer nothing in return, except in the short run. When the going gets rough, their power is useless and the worship and praise proves futile. Only the Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep. Our worship and praise of that shepherd is out of gratitude and awe, love and thanksgiving.
My prayer today is that you stake your future on the protection, love and care of The Good Shepherd. And that you trust in Christ’s saving power when the wolf is at the door.
Mary
Counted Cross Stitch and the Circle of Life
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Psalm 136
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 2. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 4. to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 5. to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 6. to him who spread out the earth upon the waters, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 7. to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 8. the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 9. the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 10. to him who smote the first-born of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 11. and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 12. with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 13. to him who divided the Red Sea in sunder, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 14. and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 15. but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 16. to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 17. to him who smote great kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 18. and slew famous kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 19. Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 20. and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 21. and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 22. a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 23. It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 24. and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 25. he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 26. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures for ever.
I had originally intended to take out some of the verses of this psalm so it wasn’t so long, but I just couldn’t do it! This recounting of all the ways God steadfastly cared for His people is important and reminded me of Bible tales I have learned that were meaningful and important to me throughout my life. So I left it intact, and hope you’re not deterred by the length of the passage.
During my walk with my buddy this morning we had a conversation about how God uses painful experiences in our past to empower and enable us to minister to others in a similar situation in the here and now. So he brings full circle each of the experiences in our lives. It’s His divine plan that we are unable and perhaps unwilling to see and know at the time. I kept thinking of the “Circle of Life” from the movie, The Lion King. Sharing our stories helps others but it also reminds us that this Circle of Life God has planned is bigger than any of us.
Our lives are so intricately woven together with threads spun in heaven, and we have no idea what the next stitch will be, or how important it will become in the future. Years ago I enjoyed counted cross stitch. I made a couple of beautiful pieces, but it is very tedious and time consuming and I no longer have the eyesight or the manual capability to make those tiny stitches. One thing I learned when working on the pieces, it was important to constantly refer to the instructions, and to continually count and recount stitches as they’re made, so the end product turns out as planned. Hummmm. Am I reaching too much here? That is what I think about when I read each of these mighty, wonderful acts of God in the lives of His people listed in this way.
I wonder how we would feel about every situation in our lives if as we recounted our life story, after each episode we recited “for his steadfast love endures forever.” Try it. Stop right now and think of the milestones in your life – sad and joyous – and as you tick off each one, say “for his steadfast love endures forever”. Whether you had your heart broken, or you celebrated the birth of child. No matter if you received that promotion you have labored long and hard to receive, or you took a trip around the world. . . . interject that phrase after recounting each one.
That’s how we see our lives as an intricate tapestry, or a counted cross stitch. In order to stay on track, we need to constantly stop, count, check the instructions (the Bible) and count again. Viewing our lives as a chapter in God’s great plan helps us through the tough times and makes the good times even more joyous.
My prayer today is that you remember His steadfast love endures forever. And that you view each victory and defeat as a part of the grand circle of life.
Mary
Do Not Be Discouraged
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Matthew 10:22 KJV
He that endures to the end shall be saved.
Revelation 2:10 RSV
Do not fear what you are about to suffer... that you may be tested. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Endurance. That’s an interesting word, interesting concept.
Dictionary.com defines endurance:
the ability or strength to continue or last, esp. despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina. First of all, I want to clarify that I don’t believe God tests us. He loves us and would never do anything harmful or hurtful to us. Life, though, does require endurance, in so many arenas. The situations we find ourselves in and the people who “persecute” us are not of God’s plan. He does, though, allow us to endure everything because of His love and mercy. We are able to endure anything, because we have been promised heaven.
Sometimes our endurance simply involves getting through a busy day after a restless night, with little sleep. Sometimes it involves a job loss or dissolving of a friendship, or death of a loved one. We have the endurance of our Heavenly Father to sustain, nurture and comfort us. That’s how we avoid becoming discouraged in the long-term. I have found that in the times I do feel discouraged it is because I rely upon my own wisdom, knowledge, strength, energy to get me through a situation.
God waits for us at the end of time. To get us through the here and now, though, He sent Jesus Christ. Jesus is our role model for endurance. He suffered a humiliating and excruciating death – by choice, in obedience. It is as if He calls out to all of us, “see, you can bear all things through me.”
The crown of life mentioned here is not referring to our current life, in our human form. John reveals that He saw mankind perfected, reflecting God’s light and love. That is what awaits us: perfection—of our minds and of our souls. Our bodies will not matter then, because our existence with God will transcend any physical reality we can imagine!
My prayer today is that you will rely upon the stamina and endurance of Christ. And that you overcome any adverse condition in which you find yourself because of the gift of God’s son.
Mary
P.S. Sometime ago I wrote a poem dedicated to a friend going through a very difficult time spiritually. Recently, my own family has experienced some potentially discouraging times. We have very much needed the endurance of Christ. I hope this will minister to you as well:Do Not Be DiscouragedDo not be discouraged.
Do not feel afraid.
You are the most precious
of all that God has made.
Do not be downhearted.
Do not feel alone.
You are God’s beloved
And his heart is your true home.
Do not be unsettled.
Do not feel adrift
You are from the Spirit breathed
And your life is a precious gift.
Do not be sad or angry.
Do not feel betrayed.
You are the Son’s brother
In this great plan God has made.
Do not long for answers.
Do not feel confused.
You are the most prophetic
of all the voices God has used.
Do not search for comfort.
Do not feel unsure.
You were made with purpose.
And for this world you could be the cure.
Do not be discouraged.
Do not ask God why.
You are his beloved
And he waits for you in the sky.
Orion the Hunter
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Isaiah 57:15 NIV
For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Another translation of this verse replaces ‘forever’ with ‘lives in eternity’. Eternity indicates prior to the present and into the future. I think of forever as indicating only the future. OK. Maybe I’ve been writing too many key-word rich articles lately! The whole point is, though, that the same God who made all of creation and existed before time itself, takes notice of me and of you and of each of us, every moment of our lives.
More than merely notice us, He thought of us, planned when and where and how we would be born; and He guards each instant of our existence with loving care. I think He tells Isaiah that He lives in a high and holy place, not to remind us of the distance between us, but of His power and ability to dwell with us in our lives. Only a being capable of creation could also be all-present—at all times and in every place at every moment. Contrite means being remorseful for our sins. Even then, actually, especially then, is God with us.
When I met my buddy to walk this morning at 5:30 the sky was so clear we could see the stars shining brightly. They were a beautiful sight against the slate blue sky. This was one time I’m glad we don’t have street lights in our neighborhood. As is often the case, I don’t remember when it became light – probably not until I got home and came out to my study. My point is God has all that worked out with no need for me to manage it or attempt to orchestrate it. My buddy and I only need to show up, and take note of His handiwork. The rest is in His hands.
Our pause to look up at the stars and our awe at their placement in the sky is natural for us both as we are nature lovers. Being writers, we also both tend to think in poetic terms. My dad taught me all the constellations when I was young, and I taught many of them to my children, especially my son. I don’t remember too many of them now, but I have always loved Orion the Hunter. He is prominent in the sky in my part of the world through every season. When I see Him I am reminded of the ‘whole armor of God’ [Ephesians 6:13]. I also think of God, “up there” in the sky, always present, ever seeing, guarding and protecting his people.
Isn’t it just too much to grasp that the same God who made each star and placed it just so in the sky, is the God who stoops to comfort and encourage and sustain us when we are contrite?
My prayer today is that you approach God with a contrite heart and lowly spirit. And that you rejoice in His greatness and mercy.
Mary
