Consuming Fire

"The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear.

Terror seizes the godless.

'Who can live with this devouring fire?' they cry.

'Who can survive this all-consuming fire?'

Those who are honest and fair,

who refuse to profit by fraud,

who stay far away from bribes,

who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,

who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong--

these are the ones who will dwell on high.

The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress.

Food will be supplied to them,

and they will have water in abundance."

Isaiah 33:14-16 NLT

God is love (1 John 4:16).  He is patient, compassionate and faithful (Exodus 34:6).  He is merciful, not giving me what I deserve (Psalm 103:10).  I get the feeling that God is cuddly and soft, warm and fuzzy, comfortable and tame.  But God is not a teddy bear.  Rather, He is a dangerous lion as Aslan, the archetype of Christ, is described in the C.S. Lewis classic The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, "He's wild, you know.  Not like a tame lion."  God is able to consume me with His holy fire (Hebrews 12:29).

While I'm protected from His wrath by the blood of Jesus, I don't want to take advantage of His grace, taunting and testing Him, flaunting my sin to see how deep His grace and mercy goes.  In the same way its not wise to provoke a seemingly friendly lion or gorilla at the local zoo, I must always keep in mind that He is not altogether safe.  He is good but still dangerous.  When I take Him lightly, playing around with Him as if He were under my thumb or wrapped around my little finger, I am not showing respect for His might and holiness, nor gratitude for His gracious gift of life and salvation.  When I realize His danger, I will be more careful to yield to His Spirit.  And when I let Him lead me, amazing things will happen.

Honest.  It's not always easy to do the right thing.  Sometimes I want what's easy not what is true.  I don't want to rock the boat or be the odd one who doesn't go along with the crowd so I don't act when I should.  Or I may gain from adjusting the numbers on my tax return thinking no one will know so I cheat. Or I'm unusually hard on some while giving others another chance; I'm not always fair.

God's Spirit convicts me of these things and when I take Him seriously, I pay attention to His gently prodding, the uncomfortable feeling that comes when I go outside His will.  Instead of pushing it aside and pretending I don't know any better, I stop doing what is wrong, submitting to His holy nature that's guiding me away from unrighteousness.  

When I keep God's holy and righteous fire in mind, I respond to His Spirit leading me to live honestly, fairly and to do what is right in His eyes.

Trusting.  I've become pretty good at working the system, at milking it for all it's worth, at getting what I deserve, my fair share.  Growing up in America, I learned that to get my piece of the pie I sometimes have to manipulate things.  Sometimes that means fudging the numbers when reporting the private purchase of a vehicle so I can keep more of my money instead of giving it to Uncle Sam, other times it means taking a free handout when someone else needs it more.  I often don't trust God to give me what I need, always thinking of ways I can have more.

God's Spirit gives me a different perspective when I take Him seriously.  It's easy to justify my actions, telling myself the kind of fraud I partake in is not so bad in order to appease my guilty conscience.  But if I realize how I grieve His Spirit with my wandering eye, my jealous spirit that sees my neighbor's life as more fulfilling or desires a different kind of blessing, I would stop yearning for more and start trusting Him in His provision.  Instead of failing to be happy with what He's graciously given me and looking for ways to get more, I can learn to be content in what I do have.

When I keep God's holy and righteous fire in mind, I respond to His Spirit leading me to walk in gratefulness where He is enough to satisfy.

Temptation.  Maybe I think I'm stronger than I am, or that I would never fall into "that kind of sin", or that I'm immune in some way.  Whatever the reason, I often don't take temptation seriously, thinking I could never give in.  When I do, I see the importance of doing whatever it takes to stay away from temptation, running in the other direction if necessary.

Jesus said "If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell"  (Matthew 5:29). This is the kind of seriousness I must go about avoiding the temptation to lust, or lie, or doubt, or gossip, or hold a grudge, or a myriad of sins.  It is important that I avoid even looking upon evil much less taking part in it.  How many movies have I watched that depicted adulterous relationships, sexual exploits, or murderous plots?  I must not even have a hint of such things in my life for when my heart is involved, its the same as if I physically took part in such acts (Matthew 5:17-48,Ephesians 5:3, 1 Corinthians 6:9).

When I keep God's holy and righteous fire in mind, I respond to His Spirit leading me to stay away from temptation, not making provisions for sin or viewing others taking part in evil.

It's easy for me to get too comfortable with God, thinking of Him as a cuddly Santa Claus-type character.  In reality, He is a consuming fire, dangerous to play around with.  Keeping this in mind, I will better listen to His inner promptings and find a desire to live honestly and righteously, to trust Him enough to be content with His provision, and to flee all kinds of temptation.  In these ways I've shown that I understand God's full character, and that He is a consuming fire.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I not only see God in a way that makes me comfortable, but in His true state.

How do I ignore His promptings, assuming He won't mind if I don't always listen?  

How am I not content with what He's given to me?            

Right Equipment

"Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,

and the ears of those who hear will listen."

Isaiah 32:3

My husband and I recently enjoyed a movie as a birthday treat and we decided to choose the 3D version of a sequel we both wanted to see.  Upon purchase of the tickets we were each handed a pair of funky glasses needed in order to experience the desired illusion of depth while viewing the film.  During the action, I tried taking off the glasses and was amazed at the contrast.  Without the glasses, the images on the screen appeared blurry and like I had double-vision.  In fact, it was hard to make out what was happening; not a pleasant experience!  As soon as I slipped the glasses back on my face, however, I was returned to the three-dimensional world and the images came to life before my eyes.

This is similar in a way to God's truths.  Without the "special tool" of God's Spirit that comes when I place my life in the hands of Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, I won't have discernment and understanding and just won't get it.  His Word will seem a bit blurry and hard to figure out.  The right equipment makes all the difference.

Heroes/Fools.  It's hard to understand why so many would revere someone who behaves so stupidly.  The beliefs of many leaders are out in left field, so far away from rational and morally acceptable thought and behavior that it boggles the mind that they are called "progressive thinkers" or followed as if they are the next great hope.  Or there are organizations that do vile things under the guise of noble or pure intentions and my stomach turns at the thought of their mission.  Or decisions are made that fundamentally change the foundation of our society and the majority blindly applaud without realizing they're praising the demise of the underpinning of a country.

With the discernment that is given to me when I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I'll see through the facade and be able to see the fruit exhibited in order realize the foolishness of the ungodly's actions (Isaiah 32:5).  His Spirit within me will grieve when seeing all who applaud the unprincipled who positions himself strategically in order to further his crooked agenda.  I'll mourn as the multitudes celebrate in the streets at the unthinkable.

Jesus Christ provides the right equipment to be able discern the true hero from the fool that is portrayed heroically.

True/False Teachers.  The teachings are off-base, missing the point of Jesus' true identity and His mission in coming to earth.  Instead of sticking to the truth of God's Word, these popular teachers proclaim a different message that appeals to mankind's sin nature, to the desires and passions that come naturally to the flesh.  They say what people want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).  It's always heartening and reassuring to be told I can get exactly what I want and that my wants and hopes are at the center of God's attention.

With the discernment that is given to me when I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I'll be able to tell when a teacher is not imparting godly wisdom and knowledge but is appealing to my sin nature, depriving me of the truth I need to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus (Isaiah 32:6, 2 Peter 3:18) .  Instead of gravitating toward such teachings, I'll be repulsed and run away as fast as I can in the other direction, back to Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.  If He and His teachings are not the center, the cornerstone, the foundation, then I have no business following such nonsense.

Jesus Christ provides the right equipment to be able to discern the true teacher from the false even though they may be widely admired.

Generous/Stingy.  They use others for their own purposes and are driven by selfish ambition instead of a desire to see others grow in their faith.  They may portray themselves as being humble and noble creatures but when getting closer I find they are stingy with their time and resources, focused mainly on what is best for themselves and their own interests.  

With the discernment that is given to me when I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I'll be able to recognize the difference between a selfish motive and a God-centered one (Isaiah 32:6b-7).  While the reputation may be of one who cares, the reality could be the opposite.  Without the right equipment, however, I could get sucked into the public relations machine where I'll be sold a bill of goods.

Jesus Christ provides the right equipment to be able to discern the generous from the stingy.

As I make my way through life, I discover the lines between truth and deception can be blurry to say the least.  As the world seems to go mad, following fools as if they were heroes, false teachers like they are the best things since intermittent windshield wipers, or confusing the self-centered for the godly, I'll need to don the right equipment to be able to tell the difference.  Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, I'll receive the glasses I need to see the truth so that I can grow in my relationship with Him.  Otherwise, I'll get lost in a field of poppies where I'll fall asleep to the life-giving truth.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus, staying sensitive to the discernment He provides.

When do I fall for the deceptive messages of false teachers, ignoring the nagging, uncomfortable feeling within?

How am I unwilling to go against the crowd in order to stay true to Jesus?          

See Him with Your Own Eyes

"O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem,

you will weep no more.

He will be gracious if you ask for help.

He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.

Though the Lord gave you adversity for food

and suffering for drink,

he will still be with you to teach you.

You will see your teacher with your own eyes.

Your own ears will hear him.

right behind you a voice will say,

'This is the way you should go,'

whether to the right or to the left.

Then you will destroy all your silver idols

and your precious gold images.

You will throw them out like filthy rags,

saying to them, 'Good riddance!'"

Isaiah 30:19-22 NLT

Times are hard and I feel like I've hit a wall.  I don't know which way to turn, how to get out of the mess I'm in, where to go to find relief.  I've given my heart to Jesus but I'm drifting away, building on a different foundation and my living sacrifice has fallen off His altar (Matthew 7:24-27, Romans 12:1) Yet I want to hear God.  To know His plan for me. Perceive His direction.  Is it possible?  How?

Adversity.  He goes after the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7).  The ones who belong to Him yet stray away.  The precious lambs of His fold who wander away in search of the elusive something that will never satisfy.  Yet it often feels like the pain He introduces is in vain, to cause me to suffer, to punish me in some way.  The heart of God, however, tells a different story.  He uses adversity as a tool to guide me back to Him, to push me to where I'm aware of my need for Him, to cause me to hit bottom where I've run out of options and come to the end of myself.

Once I'm in the depths of suffering, I cry out to Him for help and find Him by my side, responding to my pleas, compassionately comforting me as only He can (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).  But there's more.  He doesn't leave me where I am, in the state of my choosing, captive to my own sinful flesh.  No, He loves me enough to push me, to shape me into the image of His Son, to use the hardship to teach me hard lessons (Romans 8:28-29).  As He guides He is like a tutor, walking with me one-on-one through the difficulty, not wanting me to miss a precious nugget of wisdom found there.  I find His presence comforting yet challenging, and I grow in my faith as a result.  My bond with Him is closer than ever.

I see God with my own eyes in the midst of adversity.

In Him.  The temple rose in all it's glory on a hilltop in Jerusalem, a symbol of God's presence among His people.  For those who dwelled there, it served as a constant reminder of His loving care for them, of His righteous holiness, of His plan for them as a people.  Today, to dwell in Jerusalem is to abide in Jesus, to stay connected to Him as the Source of life itself (John 15:5).

When I do so, clinging to Him as if my life depended upon Him, I find He is gracious to me, generously responding when I ask for help, extending grace and mercy that I need and heaping on wisdom when I'm at a loss (Hebrews 4:16, James 1:5).  I then find fruit growing that I did not expect, transformation taking place in my heart and a newness of spirit welling up within.  I can't take credit for it's all a work of His hand, as a result of leaning on Him as my everything.  I hardly recognize myself.

I see God at work within me when I abide in Him.

Repent.  It suddenly repulses me, this part of my flesh that once seemed so comfortable and familiar, like a cuddly blanket.  Now it seems more like an enemy, a weapon used to hurt the God I love.  I can't stand it anymore, I must purge these passions and desires from my life, turning from them and nailing them to the cross where they die (Galatians 5:24).  

When I am sensitive to all that offends God, responding when He convicts me of the sin that comes so naturally or gently rebukes me for how my thinking, my habits, or my ways are off, I waste no time in getting rid of what hampers my bond with Him.  It is my desire to always maintain intimacy with the One who made me for Himself and there is nothing that is so vital that I would not give it up out of respect and reverence for Him, treasuring this sacred relationship, my most valuable possession (Philippians 3:8).  As I turn away from the harmful sin, I see Him more clearly, hearing Him vividly.

I see God more clearly when I repent of the sin He roots out of my flesh (Psalm 139:24).

I want to experience God personally, knowing Him as a daughter knows a loving father.  How can I reach such depths of intimacy as I grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?  I will see Him with my own eyes when I experience the adversity He introduces into my life as a tool of sanctification, stay in Him as my source of life, and repent of that which offends Him.  In these ways my vision will be restored so I can see Him as He is, not as I've created Him to be.  What a glorious vision!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let go of that which offends Him.

When do I assume I'm free from sin based on what Jesus has done for me (1 John 1:8)?

What sin am I suddenly aware of, as if I've been given new eyes with which to see?

    

The Blessing of Waiting

"So the LORD must wait for you to come to him

so he can show you his love and compassion.

For the LORD is a faithful God.

Blessed are those who wait for his help."
Isaiah 30:18 NLT

It's hard to wait.  I want to get on with my life, leave this time of suffering and hardship.  I want to see my loved one come to faith in Christ and taste the abundance of life He offers.  I want to be free from this wretched body of death.  I'm tempted to turn to other sources to find relief, to try different tactics to persuade, to up my effort in order to do better.  But there is a blessing for those who wait for His help.

Gracious.  One man should not have so much power, but he did.  And it corrupted him.  He sadistically presented the woman with two choices upon entrance into the Auschwitz concentration camp in Nazi Germany.  She was forced to decide which of her two children would survive and live within the camp, and which would immediately be killed in the gas chambers.  Sophie's choice was a decision no mother should ever have to make, but one the god of Auschwitz presented to her.  

Such manipulation by one in a position of power turns the stomach.  While God, the maker of heaven and earth could be such a god, He is not.  He does not play games nor is He is a bully God.  He does not manipulate or bribe His image bearers to come to Him.  He does not put mankind in impossible situations just to watch them squirm.  Instead, He offers life through faith in His Son Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross in dying as a sin offering.  Either I take it, or I leave it.

When I take Him up on His offer of life, I discover how rich in character He is.  He shows love and compassion to those who come to Him for help, willingly choosing Him over a myriad of options for finding fulfillment and contentment, peace and love, freedom from guilt and shame.  Within this sacred relationship, I am still given the choice of how I operate.  I can walk with my natural flesh and thus produce spoiled fruit, or I can keep in step with God's indwelling Spirit as the evidence of this cooperation makes itself known in ways I don't always notice (Galatians 5:13-23). 

When I long for intimate companionship with my Father through faith in Jesus Christ, I receive the blessing of His abundant grace made manifest in my life.

Faithful.  This ability to choose extends to all areas of my walk with Christ.  No matter how hard it is for me to trust another, I soon learn that God is faithful and can be trusted.  He gives me ample opportunity to see His faithfulness at work as He fulfills promise after promise, never letting me down and always doing as He said He would.  He never leaves me nor does He turn His back on me out of disgust are impatience with my hardheadedness.  

When I take His faithfulness to heart, I can take the chance to rest fully in Him, which is really no risk at all (Psalm 86:15).  There is no possibility that He might change His mind, or forget what He said He'd do, or lose track of time and leave me hanging (Numbers 23:19).  Instead, He is a God who can always be counted on to love me consistently, to keep His Word, to protect me from evil (Deuteronomy 7:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:3).   My part is to place my faith in Him who is faithful.

When I wait on Him as my sole source of all I need, I receive the blessing of His faithfulness made manifest in my life.

Sovereign.  If I had my way, everything would come about immediately, exactly when I want it. There would be no need to wait because anytime would be the right time.  Why wait until tomorrow when today is the perfect time?  But today is not always the perfect time.  I only see my part, while God sees the big picture.  He takes all the pieces of the puzzle into account, knowing which must come forth at which time.  He understands how long it may take for one heart to change, why others are reluctant to submit, what kind of crisis will bring some to their knees (2 Peter 3:9,15).  He knows.

When I trust in His sovereign power, in His knowledge of how all the pieces fit together, of His control of the timing, I have the privilege of seeing His best come to fruition.  Instead of settling for what I want now, whether it be relief from suffering or seeing my loved one come to faith in Christ, I am desiring His best over my inferior, His perfect over my deficient, His cream of the crop over my leftovers.

When I wait on His perfect timing, I receive the blessing of His sovereign power made manifest in my life.

I admit that I don't like to wait and often am guilty of taking matters into my own hands.  When I do wait on God, however, longing for His help and intimacy, I receive something I could never otherwise taste.  I discover the gracious grace upon which I count, His faithfulness that holds me up, and His sovereign power that brings it all together in just the right time.  These are some of the blessings I discover when I wait on Him.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to wait on His timing.

When do I try to force things to happen?

How am I failing to trust God fully?      

   

Worthless Paths

"'Ah, stubborn children,' declares the LORD,

'who carry out a plan, but not mine,

and who make an alliance,

but not of my Spirit,

that they may add sin to sin;

who set out to go down to Egypt,

without asking for my direction,

to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh

and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!

Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame,

and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.

For though his officials are at Zoan

and his envoys reach Hanes,

everyone comes to shame

through a people that cannot profit them,

that brings neither help nor profit,

but shame and disgrace.'"

Isaiah 30:1-5 ESV

I panic.  Things are looking bad and I've got to do something before it gets worse.  I must act in order to slow the progression of pain and suffering.  Problem is, all I do is worthless and leads to disappointment and humiliation at the realization of how foolish I've been.  How did I get here, unsettled, confused, and bewildered at my predicament?  

It's all my doing.

Contrary Plans.  I do what makes sense to me.  I act according to what comes naturally, going the way that most pleases me and is within my realm of comfort.  I stay away from anything that meddles with my desires or stretches me outside of my normal sphere of ease and well-being.

Trouble is, every solution I'm drawn to is contrary to God's best for me.  He has a plan that goes in the opposite direction as mine (Galatians 5:16-18).  When I'm in charge of deciding what is best for me, I'll choose wrong every time.  If I instead let God's indwelling Spirit lead me as I surrender all to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, I'll find the game plan changing drastically.  While I tend to seek solutions that diminish suffering and choose the path of least resistance, God may utilize the difficult as tools to shape my character into the form of His Sons' (Romans 8:28-29).  While I look for self-serving and self-preserving options, God has a plan that glorifies His own name (Jeremiah 9:23-24, Isaiah 42:8).  While I lean toward the well-worn, smooth and crowded way, God's is less-traveled and far more difficult (Matthew 7:13-14).

My plans are contrary to God's plans so I must always seek His path upon which to travel.

Undirected Alliances.  I look for someone who can help me.  I need to know how to proceed, how to navigate through these uncharted waters.  I have no idea what to do, how to go forward, which direction to take.  Therefore, I go to the experts in the field, those who've gained experience in doing what I've never done, who are confidently extolling the virtues of their expertise.  I want the best on my side in order to give me the best possible outcome.

Trouble is, every source of help I'm drawn to is far inferior to what God has in mind.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, a grafted-in branch who has the benefit of deep roots supplying endless grace and untold wisdom, I can let His Spirit guide me to those who will help me in the way He has in mind (Romans 11:17).  When I instead lean on my own understanding, gravitating toward the wrong people who have the wrong goals and intentions, I've missed out on the blessing of letting God choose for me.  Since I have the advantage of a Helper who can point me to those who give godly advice and have kingdom direction, I would be wise to seek such guidance.

My alliances are with those who can't help in the same way the Spirit-directed partnerships can.

Mislaid Trust.   I put my eggs in the wrong basket, trusting in the kind of protection that seems wise but is far from God's best for me.  It seems good and smart to invest in insurance coverage, to go to the powerful who have clout enough to make a difference, or to place my trust in those who have connections that can help give me a leg up.  I check the expert's opinions and follow their outline to the letter.  I'm confident I've given myself the best possible chance.

Trouble is, I've failed to consult God regarding His master plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11).  If He holds the blueprint for the ongoing construction project that is taking place within my heart, I may hold up progress if I act outside of His intentions and follow a different, contrary set of plans (Philippians 1:6).  I may even undo some of the work that He has done, setting back my progress as I selfishly seek my own ways.  If I want to see godly growth, I must submit to His plan for me, cooperating with what He has in mind for my life (Romans 12:2).  

My trust is mislaid when I put my faith in that which is outside of God's will, failing to consult God for His sovereign plan for my life.

Decisions made in a state of panic or desperation are not usually good ones.  When I feel burdened by suffering and difficulty, I look for a way out.  Unfortunately, I don't always consult God's indwelling Spirit, an advantage I've gained by trusting in Jesus as my Lord and Savior (John 14:26).  When I ignore this wonderful benefit, I tend to choose plans that are contrary to His, make ungodly alliances, and place my trust in the wrong places.  In these ways, all I do is pointless and leads to disappointment and worry.  What a worthless path to take!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay connected to Jesus and sensitive to His Spirit's leading.

When do I go off on my own, choosing my own path?

How do I lean on those who don't know God?        

Wonderful Teacher

"Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge,

nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin,

but dill is beaten out with a stick,

and cumin with a rod.

Does one crush grain for bread?

No, he does not thresh it forever;

when he drives his cart wheel over it with his horses,

he does not crush it.

This also comes from he LORD of hosts;

he is wonderful in counsel

and excellent in wisdom."

Isaiah 28:27-29

God is powerful enough to speak all creation into existence yet tender enough to care even for the tiny sparrow.  God is mighty enough to part the waters of a sea yet compassionate enough to comfort the broken heart.  God is strong enough to hold the world in His hands yet gentle enough not to crush it.  God is powerful yet sensitive, a study in contrasts.  He is not a ruthless God who deals evenhandedly with His image-bearers but understands us so intimately that He knows precisely what each needs.

Right Intensity.  I tend to go in with both barrels blazing.  When I see another wronged, I rise up in defense, ready to protect and set things right.  Unfortunately, I usually end up causing more problems then delivering healing or instituting change.

God, however, knows when to bring out the big guns, when to hit me upside the head as a wake-up-call and when a more gentle approach is needed.  He understands exactly which method will bring about the desired response and acts accordingly.  I never need worry that God will bruise the tender shoot of trust, or destroy the reluctant glimmer of hope, or crush the feeble faith.  I can trust Him to know that introducing pain and suffering when I'm at my lowest won't destroy me but bring about good, or that the trial that comes after taking a timid step of faith won't discourage but empower, or that a quiet word of rebuke will bring about a more powerful change of heart than a harsh reprimand.

I can trust God to always use the right intensity when dealing with His children.

Right Touch.  It didn't matter who he was speaking to, he always used the same gruff tone of voice.  His approach was consistently in-your-face because he was never one to mince words or play games.  He told it like it was and never considered how his actions or words would be received nor did the fallout matter to him.  He said what needed to be said and let the chips fall where they may.  He figured other's reactions to his behavior was not his problem.

It's not surprising to learn that this insensitive man didn't have a good relationship with his daughters and found himself the recipient of divorce papers from his wife.  It's hard to live with someone so self-centered and narcissistic.  As powerful as God is, however, He is mindful of the temperament of His sheep, knowing when a gentle touch is needed and when a more firm one will bring about beautiful fruit.  Sometimes the most crusty exterior only exists to protect a tender heart and requires just the right amount of tension in order to bring about transformation.  Other times the one who seems weak and vulnerable in truth possesses a core of steel and can handle a bit of pressure.

I can trust God to always handle His children with the right touch.

Right Time.  I wonder how long the drought will go on.  I long for rain, for life-giving showers to fall from heavily-laden clouds, but He holds it off, only giving the lightest of mists that doesn't even wet the ground.  My appetite is whetted yet He waits.

Waiting for the rain to fall this summer in the usually-wet Pacific Northwest has been an exercise in patience.  It kind of reminds me of God's perfect timing in handling the affairs of His children.  He know how long to hold off in giving relief, what amount of time enduring suffering will grow faith and when it only serves to bring despair.  He holds the blueprint in His hands and acts according to what is best for each.  Like a beautiful dance, sometimes the heart grows more appreciative as I wait for the climax of the performance.  As the expectation builds, I look forward to seeing how God will bring about His best for me, like I wait with baited breathe for the spectacular lift I know is coming at the end of the dance.

I can trust God to always act in just the right time for exactly the perfect duration.

I know something of God's omnipotent, sovereign character, but I must also realize His sensitivity and compassion.  He doesn't act like a ruthless dictator, showing His might without regard to the heart of His people.  No, He is sensitive enough to use the right intensity with the right touch for the right time.  The Lord is a God who can be trusted because He is a wonderful teacher.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God with the timing.

When do I fear His touch, assuming He will crush me?

How am I unwilling to fully place myself in His loving hands?      

Precious Cornerstone

"So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,

a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;

the one who relies on it

will never be stricken with panic.

I will make justice the measuring line

and righteousness the plumb line;

hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie,

and water will overflow your hiding place.

Your covenant with death will be annulled;

your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.

When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by,

you will be beaten down by it.

As often as it comes it will carry you away;

morning after morning, by day and by night,

it will sweep through.'"

Isaiah 28:16-19

People have long justified themselves before God, attempting to prove their righteousness, their goodness, their fitness for escaping His wrath.  I've done it.  All mankind does it.  We ease our guilty conscious with lies, attempting to placate God with our works.  I may not be perfect, but I go to church almost every Sunday and give to charity.  I've never killed anyone.  That's got to count for something.  

Whatever the tactic used to try to bluff our way into God's good graces, it fails every time and proves to be a lousy foundation upon which to build a case before His righteous judgment.  What we need is a firm cornerstone.  And in Jesus we have just that.

Free.  If I'm going to live by the law, attempting to right my wrongs through good deeds or proving myself fit by my effort to comply with God's statutes, I'm dead meat.  No one is good, not even one.  Not Mother Teresa, the Pope or Billy Graham.  We all fall short of God's high standards (Romans 3:23).  None measures up.  All deserve punishment for the sin that comes naturally (Romans 6:23).

When I build my case before God on the cornerstone of Christ, however, I am made righteous and measure up by faith, not by my ability to perform (Titus 3:4-7, Ephesians 2:8).  Through faith in Jesus, my case is dismissed, my sentence suspended, my charges absolutely dropped.  I will never need fear the judgment that is coming, then, for I'm free from God's condemnation in Christ (Hebrews 9:27, Romans 8:1).

I need not try to impress God with my efforts for I can be free from God's judgment by repenting of my sins and trusting wholly in Jesus (Romans 8:2).

Faith.  I often get it backwards, thinking I must do good, try my best, prove my worth.  I lose sight of all that Jesus accomplished on the cross where He secured my righteousness purely by the grace of God.  Instead of having to show how much I'm worth saving or keeping around, God already proved His unconditional love for me by providing a means for my salvation while I was deep in my sins and living as His enemy.  Any attempt I make to show how much I'm needed is like filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6).  I just can't impress God no matter how hard I try.  My best is never good enough.

Instead of working so hard to climb up the ladder to reach God's impossible standard, I must get it through my thick head that my only hope is to enter into His rest where the necessary has already been accomplished, placing my full weight on the cornerstone of Christ (Hebrews 4:10).  When I solely trust in Jesus' blood to cleanse me of my sins and present me before God as righteous and pure, I have no need to show my worth (Colossians 1:22).  Jesus already did that by dying on the cross.  He went to such great lengths as to sacrifice His perfect life for my sinful one out of love.  If this doesn't show how precious I am to God, I don't know what will (Romans 8:32).

My acts of righteousness don't save me, but my faith in the only Righteous One does.

Secure.  With time, all man made structures fall.  No matter how well-built, it's not a matter of if it will one day collapse or be torn down, but when it will happen.  It's inevitable.  Yesterday's sign of progress is today's has-been.  No matter how firm the foundation seems, it will not stand the test of time.

There is one foundation, however, that will never crumble.  Jesus Christ .  When I place my trust in Him, putting Him on like a garment and forsaking my own sinful skin, I can be sure that my place in His kingdom is secure (Romans 13:14).  I will never lose my standing because He holds me there.  There is nothing that can take one of His sheep from His clutches (John 6:37, 10:28).  I need not doubt my place in the Lamb's book of life, therefore.  It is etched there in the blood of Jesus, of this I can be sure.  My only part, then, is to trust Him enough to live wholly submitted to Him.  He is more than able to make my footing on the narrow path sure (Jude 24-25).  May I always trust in His ability to keep me.

My place in God's kingdom is secure for all time based on what Jesus has done for me in dying on the cross.  There is nothing left for me to do but yield, letting Him have His way.    

     

It's natural for man to try to justify himself, to prove his worth, to show his value by what he does.  Instead of following suit, I can base my case on the firm cornerstone of Christ.  When I do, I'm free from God's judgment, saved by faith in His work on the cross, and secure in His kingdom.  Then I will know how precious is this Cornerstone!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust Jesus enough to rest fully in Him.

When do I try to prove how good I am?  Or show myself or others that I'm not that bad, despite what my guilty conscience tells me?

How am I afraid of the judgment that is to come?

Don't Give Up

"In Jerusalem,

the LORD of Heaven's Armies

will spread a wonderful feast

for all the people of the world.

It will be a delicious banquet with clear,

well-aged wine and choice meat.

There he will remove the cloud of gloom,

the shadow of death that hangs over the earth."

Isaiah 25:6-8 NLT

Tears flow freely, grief is thick, suffering palpable.  Opposition is strong, criticism great, loneliness a bosom buddy.  Is this the abundant life Jesus promised?  Why should I stand firm in my faith?  Is it worth it?

Feast.  Yes, I am promised a full, rich life in the here and now as my Shepherd walks with me through many trials and tribulations.  It is in that relationship, that tender union, that intimate bond that I find a rich connection that satisfies my soul.  Maybe its not so much a promise of a life that will bring all the good things I dream of, or the bounty I envision, or the happy ending I foresee, but rather the hope of better things to come than I could ever imagine, eternal plenty that will forever fulfill, a joyous and beautiful close to this life as the best of all opens up before me.  This may be the true abundance to which Jesus referred (John 10:10).

The goodness I find in Christ in this broken world is but a shadow of what is to come in the next when all things are made right (Colossians 2:17).  Without the sin that ruined God's creation, all will be as it was meant to be and that in itself will be a feast of kinds.  As I enter into my Father's house, I will discover the fullness of God without any roadblock to hamper me.  I will then see clearly His beautiful character, unencumbered by sin and free from this flesh that weighs me down (1 Corinthians 13:12).  What a feast that will be as He gathers all those who stayed faithful to Him until the end, no matter how tough the going became (Matthew 8:11, Luke 14:15).

My faith in Christ gives me the hope of an eternity of abundant blessings that surpass my wildest dreams.

Death.  It plagues every man, looming as a dark monster in the nether regions of the future.  Each must face it, but what comes beyond?  Is it the end?  Will it be painful?  Does it involved suffering?  Death has long caused grief and mourning in this broken world.  It is one thing that ties all mankind together: No matter who you are, death will come and this is to be feared.

But Jesus changed everything.  In Him, all may have hope beyond the grave.  Death has lost its sting as I now look forward to the end of this life as the beginning of an even better one that will last forever (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).  In Christ I need not fear what is inevitable because it merely signifies the entrance into an eternity with the One who loves me perfectly.  And there I will discover no death as the suffering here becomes a distant memory.  

My faith in Christ gives me the hope of life after death, rendering Death as powerless.

Reproach.  This life is filled with sorrow, suffering, pain, heartache.  None avoid such difficulties as we feel the full impact that sin has on this world.  Is there good news among such strife?  Yes, in Jesus there is hope that gives us reason to shout with joy!  I need not fear such difficulties, because they are only temporary.  In Christ, I can turn from fear and shout with joy, "God is here!  My Savior has come!" (Isaiah 40:9-11)

While the tears flow freely here, my Shepherd will tenderly wipe them away and there will no longer be any reason to cry.  Sorrow is commonplace here, but in eternity it will be strictly forbidden from entering.  Pain plagues in many ways in this dark world, but it is not welcome in the place I will dwell with my Savior.  I will never taste such hardship again once this life is over (Revelation 21:3-4).

My faith in Christ gives me the hope of the end to the fallout from sin as all reproach is abolished in Him.

For those who stand firm until the end, trusting in Jesus as Savior, the cry of our hearts will be this.  "This is our God!  We trusted in him, and he saved us!  This is the LORD, in whom we trusted.  Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!" (Isaiah 25:9).  In Christ I have much to look forward to, and the abundant feast, the victory over death, and the end to all reproach spurs me on to the end.  I must not give up, then, for there is so much goodness to come!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus as the going gets tough.

When am I tempted to turn away from the narrow road?

How would remembering all I have to look forward to spur me on in the midst of the heartache?