His Face Shines

"Restore us, O God;

make your face shine on us,

that we may be saved."

Psalm 80:3

My life lies in a precarious balance, so dependent upon the mercy of God am I.  Do I realize how fragile is this day I often take for granted?  How I assume the sun will rise up over the horizon in glorious splendor!  I step out of bed each morning at the beckoning of my alarm, not thinking twice that I've been given such a gift as another day to live.  My routine comforts me as I prepare my tea and tidy the house, but Who is it that hold my life in His hands?

It is my desire that I adopt the attitude of Asaph who realized how desperately he needed the restoring presence of the Lord.  I want to really grasp how much one fraction of a beam of His Light can return my life back to what He meant for me to be.  All I need is Him, and I will be saved.

Leadership.  Jesus was moved to compassion whenever He saw the crowds that desperately reached out to Him for help.  They wanted to hear the truth of the Good News, they longed for connection and craved healing of all sorts.  He saw them as sheep without a shepherd, eager for a leader they could trust to give them guidance and direction (Matthew 9:35-38, Mark 6:31-34).

I, too, am like those people who flocked toward Jesus as He walked the earth.  I need guidance and direction, and like in times of old, I have that leadership in Jesus Christ.  He is my Good Shepherd who came to lead me down paths of righteousness for His namesake (John 10:11-16, Psalm 23).  He shows me the path of life and helps me negotiate it's narrow, rocky way (Matthew 7:13-14).

I desperately need the leadership that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Belonging.  I go to great lengths to try to belong, to fit in somewhere.  It is human nature to desire a family of some kind.  Some find this place in a gang who claims to care but is rooted in blood and power.  Others look for belonging at work, attempting to connect with co-workers who may be only looking out for their own best interest.  A few marry quickly, in need of making a family with the first one who shows interest, only to find there is nothing to bind them together and strife becomes their hallmark.  

All of mankind needs some kind of relationship, a connection with another living being in order to survive.  Even Grizzly Adams, the based-on-real-life television character who lived out in the wilderness alone, had his menagerie of creatures to give him a sense of companionship.  

No matter where I live or the direction in which my life goes, through faith in Christ I have this belonging.  I am His and He is mine, adopted into His family as His well-loved child (1 John 3:1, Psalm 100:3).  As such, I am part of a group of other believers from all walks of life who share my love for our Father.  Despite how things may look as we go through life together, we are a royal family who is well-cared for by the King of kings and Lord of lords.

I desperately need the sense of belonging that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Provision.  I like to think I'm fine on my own, able to take care of myself, thank you very much.  I appreciate Someone caring enough to look out for me, but I often think there are some things I'd rather handle on my own.  I've fooled myself into believing I'm good at providing the things I need for life.

In reality, He gives me all I have (Psalm 8).  I used to think this thought was ludicrous.  When I reviewed my life, it occurred to me that I drove myself to work every day where I earned money to buy the things I needed and came back to the house I rented and kept clean and filled with the necessities of life.  I just didn't see where God fit into the picture.  Over the years, He opened my eyes to the reality of my dependence upon Him, whether I know it or not.  I realized that without Him, I couldn't even take the next breath let alone get out of bed and start my day.  This is my Father's world, and without Him, there is nothing for me to stand upon, no life to live, no heart to beat (Psalm 19).

I desperately need God's favor that comes through faith in Jesus Christ and gives me each moment of life and all that is necessary to continue living.

Like the psalmist, I desire God's face to shine on me because I know He is my only hope for restoration in this broken world.  I need His leadership, the belonging, and the provision of His sovereign hand that all come through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  My life is in His hands, but there is no other place I'd rather rest!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God with every detail, knowing that He is more than able to take care of me.

When do I hold back, attempting to do things on my own instead of letting God provide in the way He desires to care for me as His child?

How am I bent on self-sufficiency instead of dependence?       

In the Dark Valley

"Even though I walk through 

the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4 ESV

I get the wrong idea sometimes.  I hear people say trusting Jesus will deliver the good life to me, and I see pictures of all my troubles melting away.  Somehow, I make it all about me and my comfort, my desires, my expectations.  I believe I can have my best life now if I will only think positively.  But Jesus has something much bigger and better in mind.  

In His kingdom, making God's greatness known is of more importance than keeping me free from difficulty (Proverbs 16:4).  In His kingdom, avoidance of the hard stuff is not considered, rather the ugly is transformed into something beautiful (Isaiah 61:3).  In His kingdom, every brush with death, time of suffering, and bout with pain is used to conform me into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:28-29).

Following Jesus as my Good Shepherd does not mean my life will be free from suffering, pain or difficulty (John 10:14, 16:33) .  Instead, I have the benefit of my Shepherd as He leads me through the dark valley.

Presence.  When I was pregnant with my triplet daughters, I spent two months in the hospital where I could be kept under the watchful eye of the medical staff.  Every morsel of food and drop of drink I consumed was tracked.  My vital signs, weight and emotional well-being were measured and recorded.  Normal bathroom functions were out of the question as my output also needed to be checked.  There was even a monitor strapped around my ever-expanding girth so that any contractions could be detected.

While this seemed quite constricting at times, I did discover it's necessity one day as I raised the bed up so I could eat breakfast.  Suddenly, the nurse on duty burst in the door asking, "What are you doing?"  I dropped by forkful of hashbrowns, feeling like I had done something wrong.  "Oh, you're just eating breakfast.  You suddenly started having contractions and I see it was triggered by moving to an upright position so you could eat."  It should come as no surprise that they suggested I start eating in a partially reclined position in order to hold off labor as long as possible to give our precious girls the best chance possible.

This reminds me of God's constant monitoring of me.  David said in Psalm 139 that God sees everything and has it all under control.  "You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me." (v 5)  There is nothing that happens in my life that escapes His attention.  In fact, it all is filtered through His hands for approval before it can enter into my life.  Everything is under His watchful eye and He is always at work guiding me and protecting me.

As I walk through the dark valley, I am under the constant care of my Shepherd.

Rod.  A shepherd always carries a rod as an extension of his own right arm.  He uses it to protect his charges from harm, throwing it to keep them from wandering into a dangerous hazard or wielding it against a hungry predator.  The rod is also a sign of his authority and strength so the sheep know he is in charge of them.  The shepherd uses it to count his sheep, conducting a careful examination of each animal as he searches the thick wool for any kind of hidden symptoms that could point to disease or injury.

The sheep under his watchful eye know they are cared for.  Seeing the rod in his hands gives them comfort as they are reminded of his ability to protect, discipline and lead them.

Similarly, I can trust Jesus to foresee danger before I even know of it's presence.  This could mean He uses the firm hand of discipline in my life to keep me from harming myself, or in staving off the enemy who is lurking and ready to attack.  He also is constantly checking my heart for faulty thinking, selfish attitudes or ulterior motives that are developing, convicting me of the danger lurking there (Psalm 51:10).  Knowing He is always on guard gives me peace and a sense of security.

As I walk through the dark valley, I am comforted by the rod of my Shepherd.

Staff.  Sheep can get into some of the most preposterous dilemmas.  Being curious yet completely helpless is a combination that finds them inadvertently falling off cliffs into the sea, getting tangled in brambles as they search for green blades of grass, and becoming stuck in the mud as they wander off.  The shepherd's staff then can be used to rescue them from such predicaments.  

The long slender stick with the curve in the end is also useful for drawing the shy animals toward himself, to guide them as he uses it to apply pressure on their side to give them reassurance of their path, as well as to safely lift a newborn to present to its mother without the risk of applying a scent which could repel the ewe.

Likewise, my good Shepherd's staff brings much relief and encouragement as I walk through hard times.  He expertly extracts me from the ridiculous situations I get myself into, saving me from myself.  He also draws me to Himself when I hang back, afraid I'll be rejected or am unlovable.  Other times He applies gentle pressure, giving me the confirmation that I'm on the right track.  It's as if He's saying, "Keep going little lamb!  You're doing well!"

This kind of care gives me such comfort because I am easily discouraged, often wondering if I'm going in the wrong direction or somehow got off track.  It also is quite assuring to know He has such a kind and tender way of drawing me in, especially when I'm feeling vulnerable and hurt.  Yes, my Shepherd is sensitive enough to know what I need when I need it.

As I walk through the dark valley, I am comforted by the staff of my Shepherd.

When I put my life in Jesus' hands, I will not avoid suffering.  Instead, as He leads me through hard times, I am constantly under His watchful eye, have the assurance of His rod of protection, authority and power, and the comfort of knowing His staff is there to care for me, draw me closer, and guide me when I feel insecure.  There are many benefits to trusting in my Good Shepherd as He leads me through the dark valleys of life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust Jesus enough to believe He is there for my protection.

When do I fear the hard stuff, forgetting that I have a Shepherd to comfort me?

How am I resisting His rod of discipline?

Who is Jesus?

"Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem.

It was winter,

and Jesus was in the temple courts

walking in Solomon's Colonnade.

The Jews who were there gathered around him,

saying, 'How long will you keep us in suspense?

If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.'

Jesus answered, 'I did tell you, but you do not believe.

The works I do in my Father's name testify about me,

but you do not believe because you are not by sheep.

My sheep listen to my voice;

I know them, and they follow me.'"

John 10:22-27

"The wisest man who ever lived."

"A good, caring, compassionate human."

"A teacher whose lessons still apply even today."

"My friend in Puerto Rico."

"A white guy with a beard."

"A story made up by someone."

"A man with good morals and beliefs and possibly some special gifts."

"A kind of Ghandi-type guy."

"My Lord and Savior."

These are some of the responses of people walking the streets of New York City who were asked, "Who is Jesus?"  Most people agree there is something special about Him, but only those who follow Jesus Christ truly know His identity.  

Rightful Shepherd

In this age of technology, modern-day man has more access than ever before to information.  There are many voices calling out, claiming outrageous declarations of salvation, healing and fulfillment if only I would follow them.  I hear how I can have it all, reach the highest goal, and find true happiness; all by doing what they say.  The messages are alluring and appealing to my sin nature.  I'm easily enticed by their self-centered tilt.  Soon, I'm following someone I don't even know because I like what I hear and want to believe it to be true.

Jesus, however, is the only One who belongs at the head of my life, leading me through the labyrinth of trials I routinely encounter.  He is my rightful Shepherd. (John 10:1-6) While many may claim to have a better way, Jesus is the only Way for me to get to the Father and the sole source of a deep and meaningful life.  (John 14:6, John 10:10)

When Jesus leads me down the dark path of the unknown, then, I need not fear because He is with me.  Just as a shepherd brings his wayward animals back in line and defends them against harm with his rod, or calms his nervous sheep, drawing them close to himself with the touch of his staff, so Jesus protects and comforts me during these times. (Psalm 23:4)

During the desert times, when I cease to feel His comforting presence, I can go forward in faith as I recall and cling to the truth He has been faithful to teach to me.  When all seems lost and I don't know if I can carry on, I can listen to His still, quiet voice as He brings comfort to my heart.

Jesus Christ is my rightful Shepherd and His is the only Voice to which I need listen.

Gate

One of my favorite series of books as a child was the Laura Ingalls Wilder autobiographical Little House set.  In one of these classics, "Little House on the Prairie,"  Laura's father was building their new log cabin on the prairies of Oklahoma.  After the walls and the roof had been completed, they had the frightening experience of a nighttime visit by a pack of wolves who surrounded their house in the eerie moonlight.  While the walls were stout and strong, the only door was a flimsy quilt hanging in an opening in the wall.

Pa stood guard all night, keeping an eye on those predators through the window holes while their trusty dog Jack paced back and forth before the doorway.  Laura was able to sleep soundly because she knew her father and canine companion would keep those wolves at bay.

It is very similar with Jesus.  He is the One who saves me from the certain death my sins deserve as well as provides the only way for me to enter into His everlasting kingdom. (John 10:7-10) In the same way that Laura felt at peace when she knew her "Pa" was acting as the door, so I can rest in the knowledge that Jesus is the Gate for His kingdom sheep pen.  It is only through Him that I will find an eternally abundant life, beginning the moment I enter in.

Jesus Christ is the Gate and I can trust Him as both my Lord and Savior.

Good Shepherd

It is difficult to find someone to take care of my home and animals while I'm away on vacation.  While I can always hire a service or pay a neighbor youth to do the job, I never know if they will pay attention to my detailed instructions.  There is always the fear that they will only do the minimum and not care about the things that are important to me.  I do have a good friend, however, who I always know I can trust.  I know this because I've seen how much she truly cares about me.

It's the same with Jesus.  He loves me enough to lay down His life in order to save me. (John 10:11-18) He cares enough about me that He would leave all the other sheep in order to find me when I go astray. (Matthew 18:12-14)  He is concerned enough about my life that He never ceases His pursuit of me and desires nothing more than for me to find fulfillment within His fold. (John 17:20-26)

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who loves enough to give His life as a ransom and to never give up on His sheep.

Jesus is many things to many people, but to those who follow Him, His identity is clear.  He is the One Voice to whom I listen, the only Gate through which I enter, and the Good Shepherd who truly cares.  This is who Jesus is to me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember the true identity of Jesus.

When do I forget He is the only One to whom I should listen?

How do I get sucked into false teachings because they say what I want to hear? 

My Father's Kingdom

"Do not be afraid, little flock,

for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Sell your possessions and give to the poor.

Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out,

a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted,

where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also."

Luke 12:32-34

The little lamb follows her shepherd, taking comfort when he uses his staff to gently guide her along the path.  Suddenly she comes to a fork in the road and becomes confused, wondering which way she should choose.  One way looks promising, wide and smooth with lanterns lighting the way.  The other route is rocky with a tight entryway and nary a foothold as it takes travelers along the edge of a harrowing cliff.  She looks to her leader and his smile brings her comfort.  He enters the narrow path and she follows willingly.  (John 10:14, Matthew 7:13-14)

Following Jesus as my Good Shepherd means He will lead me on paths of righteousness for His namesake. (Psalm 23) To those around me, my choices seem foolish and risky, but to me there is no other choice if I want to walk at the side of my Lord.  I can take heart that He has given me the kingdom, if only I'd be willing to enter it.

Let Father Provide

My family is in the middle of a crisis of faith.  You see, God has called my husband to step back from his college studies and focus completely on his business.  This will mean less income for a time because we will no longer receive the educational support he earned during his 24-year Army career from the Veterans Administration.  God has also called us to take a leap of faith and pay for our daughter's college expenses so she won't rack up any student loans.  In a nutshell, we have less income but more expenses.

We could easily solve this dilemma with common sense and worldly wisdom.  My husband could let his business go since its not bringing in much income and get a job working on the nearby military installation where he would earn a regular, steady paycheck.  I could also try to get a job to bring in some extra earnings.  If we did this, our bills would be paid and life would be pretty easy.  Unfortunately, it also means our hearts would be in turmoil as we thought of all the youth my husband would no longer be working with and encouraging as a part of fulfilling the mission of his business.  I would no longer work with the children in our neighborhood, disciple women or write.  In a nutshell, we would trade our calling for going after what we need.

Jesus said His sheep should not behave as the pagans do who have no Father. (Matthew 6:31-33) They spend their time working to provide for necessities because if they don't do it, who will?  I, on the other hand, have a heavenly Father through faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13) who knows what I need better than I do.  I can trust Him to provide and no longer have to concern myself with the necessities of life.

Instead, I can focus my time and energy on doing what God has called me to do.  This frees my mind up to think about excellent and praiseworthy things instead of worrying about my circumstances. (Philippians 4:8)  It also gives me the time to learn more about the God who called me and of His ways instead of coming up with a plan to provide for myself.  In this way, God is my leader and I simply follow.

While I don't know exactly how God will provide for our expenses this month, He is giving us an inkling into what He is doing in our lives.  He is opening doors and we are confident He will supply our needs at just the right time.

In the kingdom my Father has provided I need not worry about how I'll get by, but instead purely trust Him to make available to me whatever I require to live.

Sell Possessions

Stacks of newspapers lined the hallways of her home.  Every available space was filled with stuff.  Clothing, knick-knacks, appliances, and all manner of possessions were crammed into the overcrowded house.  There was nowhere to sit, or even to stand comfortably.  This was not a home, it was a storage space.  

While I may not go to the extreme lengths as someone who hoards, I do tend to want to save things for future use.  My friend always tells me that when I buy a new piece of clothing, I should always give one of my old garments away so that I never have too much.  This goes against my naturally tendency to make sure I have enough.  For instance, if I find a great buy on something I use often in cooking, I want to buy it and store it for future use, thankful that I won't have to buy that certain item for the next few months.  

While its not bad to plan for the future, this way of thinking tends to be a tad self-centered.  God has given me a kingdom where He is the King and I am His daughter.  I need not worry about my own welfare but can instead pay attention to what breaks His heart.  Is there someone who is suffering and could use that food I purchased on sale?  Maybe those towels that are taking up space in my closet would be of better use hanging in the bathroom of the single mom who lost everything in a fire.  It could be that the man who rides the bus to work everyday and struggles to take care of his family could use our second car more than my family could.

As I follow my King, He will show me how to use the stuff He has provided for His glory.  He will also show me how to give away some of my emotional baggage.  I tend to lug around fears, doubts, the desire to control and many other excess burdens that hamper my ability to trust God.  Giving away these possession makes room for more of His Spirit to inhabit my being, resulting in His Fruit being more evident in my life.  (Galatians 5:22-23)

In the kingdom my Father has provided, I don't need to hold onto any physical or emotional possession, but can let them go in order to rely solely on Him.

Make Eternal Investments

We have seen it happen over and over again:  A man puts his all into becoming successful.  He reaches the pinnacle, earning all the trappings of a victorious life and it seems he has it all.  Then, one day he shockingly takes his own life in despair, unable to live any longer with the emptiness within.  To the astonishment of all those around him, the pain within himself was more than he could handle.  The life he had worked so hard to attain was not the life that satisfied his heart.

There is no doubt about it, I will reap what I sow.  (Galatians 6:7-8)  If I spend my time going after things I think will satisfy me, my life will end in death and destruction.  If, however, I dedicate my life to pleasing God and following Him step by step, I will be rewarded with an abundant life for all of eternity.  The two frames of mind cannot coexist in one philosophy.  Either I live for me, or I live for Christ: I can't have it both ways.

Living for Christ leads to life eternal.  When I trust in Jesus as my Savior, His blood covers all my sin making me appear holy and blameless before a Holy God.  As I commit my life to Him, making Him to be the Lord of my life, my own desires and wants begin to fade away.  Over time, there is less of me and more of Him.  I begin to desire to build up more of the treasures I will find in heaven: Things that are important to God like mercy, grace and love.  Gone are my desires to be exalted and I find myself wanting only my Father's rights to prevail.

Making an eternal investment also means I stop living my life based on my feelings and pay more attention to God's leading.  Every once in a while I'll get to see the views from the mountain tops where everything seems to exist as it should be and it all makes sense.  In an instant, I'm so close to God I can practically touch Him.  I feel ecstatic; as if I could do anything.  But, as Oswald Chambers said, we can't live on the mountaintop.  Instead, he said, "We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle."

I can't live my life based on how I feel.  I have to take on the power to descend to the wilderness and rough it out for His purposes.  I must trust that He has a plan, especially when I feel  uninspired, stressed out or in the depths of despair.  God is still God, despite my circumstances, and when I focus on the investments I am making that will last for all eternity, I'll have the strength to go on.

In the kingdom my Father provided my desires or feelings do not determine my path but I instead sow seeds that will bring forth heavenly fruit.

There is so much to fear in this world, but when I keep my eyes on the Good Shepherd, He will lead me down the path toward life.  As I travel through His kingdom I learn that my Father provides all my needs if I will only let Him, I can travel light and spend my time doing kingdom work, and I can invest in eternal treasures that will bring glory to God.  My Father has already given me this kingdom.  When I enter in, I find my heart is focused wholly on Him and discover that it's a great place to dwell!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop going after my needs and simply do as God is calling me to do, no matter how risky it seems.

When do I use my common sense to make decisions instead of looking to my Shepherd for guidance?

How am I afraid to follow the narrow path because it seems so dangerous?