God supplies — trust Him!

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25–34)

Fifty plus years ago, Jesus came into my life and one of the first lessons He taught me was that He would meet my needs. I was newly divorced, had no job or hope for one, lived on a farm with my two children, and my ex neglected financial support even for them. I did custom knitting with a machine and painted animal portraits, selling these to buy groceries. That first summer my propane tank rental came due and I did not have the $100 it would cost to heat our home for the winter.

God stepped in. I received a letter from someone in another province. I didn’t know her, or how she got my name. She included a photo of her dog and wanted me to paint its portrait. She also paid in advance — $105, enough to cover postage to send the painting back to her.

God made it plain. If He was at the top of my priority list, I didn’t need to worry about having what I needed. Since then, He has repeatedly kept His Word and taken care of all physical needs. I have a full fridge, a full closet, and lots of clean water, without anxiety about any of such things.

Lord, even when I’ve felt needy about other things, You have taken care of those physical needs too, as proof that You will cover all needs. I just need to trust You. People have told me this does not mean sitting on my backside and waiting for cash to come floating down. How silly. But You honor faith, often with surprises that go above and beyond my expectations. May all Your children know that Your love covers needs and sometimes even wants. Truly I am blessed and sometimes call myself ‘God's spoiled brat’ because of Your mercy.

 

Only a ‘need to know’ policy…

 

A servant in a palace knows that all things in that place belong to its owner. None of it belongs to the servant who is charged to take care of it. In the household of God, I am a servant. He owns all things, some of which I’m given to use or take care of. This dominion or ownership of God means I need to yield all things to Him.

Charnock extends this to say that because I am under His authority, if something happens that causes me concern, I need to not pressure Him with why is this happening. Instead, I must humbly lay my cause at his feet, and say: “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” (1 Samuel 3:18) After all, all is His.

That includes His to-do list. I don’t get to see it, only my part in it. That means He seldom shows me why my prayers can mean a long wait for His action. I can get impatient, as if the Monarch of the world should jump to it for me? This is getting it backwards, as if the King of kings should lay down His scepter to gratify my demands. This displays my pride, vanity, and totally selfish thinking.

The dominion of God would stop my vain curiosity too. One example was when Peter wanted  to know the fate of John. Jesus said to him: “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21:22)

This means that I am to consider my duty, and lay aside my curiosity since it is God’s decision to not reveal many things to me. As Charnock says, the sense of God’s absolute dominion would silence many vain disputes in the world. What if God will not reveal this or that? He does not tell me all His mind, only that what I need to do what He wants from me. Yielding to His sovereignty means letting Him be God and make all decisions known or remain a mystery. I’m not to spend time and energy prying into or speculating about matters that are unknown to me by His choice. I’m to just trust Him.

This kind of yielding is about faith and about how pitiful I am compared with God's excellency and the great distance between Him and me. The more I think of His greatness, the less I’m concerned with myself, and the more apt I am to fall before Him in praise instead of impatience, vain curiosity, or selfish demands:

He is to be praised for his royalty Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! (Psalm 47:6–7)

His goodness calls for my thankfulness, but his sovereignty calls for a higher elevation of it. Goodness is felt and appreciated on this end, while sovereignty calls for glory to God, regardless of how I feel or am blessed. Why should such a great God care about me anyway? Or offer me blessings? Or answer my prayers?

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. (1 Chronicles 29:14)

PRAY: These thoughts impact my prayers to You. Yesterday, more surgery for our granddaughter and a heavy heart. I could scarcely think of her situation without fear and tears. Yet Your whispers came through. You are God. You are good. You do what brings You glory as You alone deserve it. Putting my focus on Your greatness and Your dominion over all things, even an infected and serious injury, changed my thinking. You will do what is right. My anxiety was focused on the lie that You do not want the best for Your people. If You decide to take her home, that is because of Your goodness, not because You don’t love or care for her or for her family. We are the servants but also Your children, and You work on behalf of Your family for our good. For this, I am joyful and now wait to see what You have planned — for Your glory.

Later: the operation eased her pain and brought her much joy. Thank You, Lord!

God’s timing vs. my impatience

Today’s reading began with assurance that God's slowness to respond to my needs does not indicate lack of love but shows that He does love me. Getting my prayers answered is not as important as believing that He cares — even without any current evidence.

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. . . . When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. . . . Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” (John 11:5–42)

Then this statement from Charnock: “We should not depend upon second causes for our support, but look beyond them to the authority of the Deity, and the dominion he hath over all the works of his hands.” Jesus wanted this sister of Lazarus to believe based on His words, not based on the visible evidence that they are true. He said her brother would live, but she wanted to see him live.

When I pray for the salvation of loved ones, I want to see them living in faith. Jesus wants me to trust Him, to have that faith in Him as my Sovereign King. This is trust that draws me to Him in all experiences and keeps me in worship mode due to His royalty. Sometimes I come to Him with emptiness instead of being filled with holy thoughts and the strength that faith gives. My heart should be regarding Him as who He is and what He says. I can then be obedient according to my awe of who He is:

If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 28:58)

When I consider the majesty of God, I should not enter into His presence with light or foolish thoughts, as if He is a mere buddy, or worse, a genie in a bottle. I should not read His Word as if it were the voice of some ordinary scribe. It should always produce a consideration of His majesty and  engender reverence in my obedience and make me speak of God with honor and respect. He is a great and glorious king, far above His greatest blessings and those ‘second causes’ that are so easy to elevate as more vital. “If You had been here…” really! How could I think that He is not, or unaware, or does not care about the threats to my trust.

When I suffer or when others suffer and it seems God is not with us, I should remain confident. I’m to wait. I’m to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) and extend the love of Christ and the hope of salvation to all. And instead of hosting a pity-party, remembering that my time is short. We all are terminal. We all need to repent of telling God what to do and instead trust Him and live for His glory.

PRAY: Jesus, may Your goodness overwhelm me each day, even those days when it seems You are not here — but You are. You promised never to leave me. What do I believe? My feelings or Your Word? Enable me to live utterly for Your glory and for the joy of knowing You. Also enable me to trust You to gather the perishing into Your family, and to do whatever You ask me toward that happening.

What can a billion dollars do?

The net worth of the world's richest person is 400B, so says Google. Other billionaires are listed. Write a one followed by nine zeros, you get 1,000,000,000 = one billion! Think of it as a thousand million to better grasp its enormity. 

Or try this: Let 250 sheets of paper, about 1 inch thick, represents 1 million. How tall would the stack have to be to represent 1 billion ? Since 1 million equals 1 inch, so 1 billion would be 1000 times that, or a stack of paper 1000 inches tall. This is 83 feet, four inches illustrating a billion. This is as tall as an 8 story building! Imagine a city with 400 of those buildings.

Spoiler alert… While the combined money of the world’s billionaires would solve world poverty, what is it doing for those who have it? While money can buy a lot of things, it cannot benefit anyone who is dead. 

If that sounds like the rationale of someone who wishes to be rich, it does not describe those who take God seriously. I can remember wanting to have more money. I had many bills to pay and not having the funds, yet God provided. The first was $100 rent due on a propane tank. No money. But I received a short letter in the mail from someone I didn’t know who wanted me to paint a portrait of her dog. She included payment, which never happens, and it was $105, enough for the tank, the canvas and postage to mail the painting. Since that, I stopped worrying  about finances or running short. 

He has also shown me the dangers of making money a priority, even as He has always taken care of all my financial needs. 

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:9–10)

The next verses tell me to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” and get a grasp on eternal life. This life is short and all of us are terminal. It is not sinful to have money, but to love it… 

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17–19)

Some rich people do that; others not so much. Jesus offers a far better goal than a fat bank account. He says:

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. . . . And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? . . . . But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:21–33)

A sheet of paper can also represent the brevity of life here. However, a stack that illustrates eternal life has no ending. It reaches to heaven and beyond. While I am here, I can use the funds God supplies to bless those in need because hoarding it for myself is folly. Only the spiritually blind are unable to acknowledge that they cannot take it with them.

PRAY: Jesus, this freedom from any desire to accumulate wealth is from You. You were given what You needed, trusting Your Father for it without any greed or desire for even one cent of it. Keep my focus off money and on You, trusting You to take care of me, and to save me from the sin of loving money.

What gets lugged into each day?

 

Since Piper’s devotional for today was the last of a long one split into three days, I had another look at what Callaway had to say in his little book. He hit me with his description of taking too much stuff in his golf bag and how that was ruining his game. 

“I’ve got the full set, plus a driving iron. I’ve got an oversized 1-wood named Bertha and a ball retriever in case she misfires. My pockets are heavy with coins and ball markers and tees and car keys. The mosquitos where I live show up on radar screens, so I throw in a generous bottle of repellant. And sunscreen. And Band-Aids. One can’t be over-prepared, so I bring along bottled water, aspirin, and a knife that doubles as a club head cleaner, a cleat tightener, a bottle-top remover, and an alarm clock. I keep an extra jacket in my bag, too. Rain pants. An umbrella. Club head covers. And a coupon book that expired last September. Lugging all these accessories around the course made the rounds miserable, so I bought a small pull-cart to help me. Now I have a place to carry two more pop cans, the scorecard, four tees, and some extra pencils. If this continues, I’ll have to buy another cart.”

Of course this relates to life. While he compared it to “picking up a load of fear” and filling his mind with concerns he was not meant to bear, I compared it to my to-do list. Today it has a shopping errand, some laundry, email to answer, update two blogs, send a gift to someone, purge the storage room, read portions of three books, work on two quilts, plus the usual meals and household chores not listed. Never mind any interruptions, phone calls, or other things not written down that might pop up. Yikes.

Yesterday’s sermon was from this familiar passage:

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38–42)

I’ve always considered myself a ‘Mary’ but see how easily I slip into being “anxious and troubled about many things.” Even if I never forget to have devotions, how many times do I really listen to Jesus before starting anything else? The pastor stressed the importance of choosing the best portion before doing even the good things on our agenda. For me, it was helpful because seeking His will makes a difference in how the day goes. For one thing, it seems longer, and I make less mistakes. However, he also said that listening is not just waiting for my turn to talk or to make excuses for not having time to listen.

Callaway’s writing pushes me to consider that long list. What does Jesus say about it? Is some of it not important or non-essential? Am I burdening myself with extras ‘just in case’ rather than trusting Him for whatever might come up?

Of course lunch had to be made. The doing of it was not Martha’s problem. He spoke to her about her anxiety and attitude toward her work. Mary was being settled by taking instruction first. She no doubt helped Martha after that, but not before listening to the One who wants His servants to be at peace and find joy in all that we do.

PRAY: Thank You Jesus for all that You teach me. I sit and listen at church, yet know that listening ought to be a 24/7 attitude. You want me to know what You know and think how You think about everything, not just my list. Who knows… You might take things off it or even add things to it, but at the end of the day, knowing I’ve listened to You and followed Your instructions results in great rewards for making that choice.

Summer selections?

 

Summer brings with it many more options. In our country, winter is easier because cold, snow, icy roads, and so on keep us from doing many things. But today the sun is shining and my to-do list has more possibilities than can be done in the hours ahead. How do I choose?

Piper says “Jesus Christ is the refreshing center of summer” and that He is preeminent in all things because He is my head, the One who runs my life as a member of His body: 

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:18)

That means He governs my life, not just church activities but vacations, picnics, softball, long walks, and cookouts and all other options. Yet I must remember His words: 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

He does not intend to govern me with burdens that make me exhausted. His burdens are light, even in the summer, meaning I need to seek Him and select what is from Him so that I am not worn out from trying to do it all.

In our many moves, even this latest one, new options appear. Add them to the load? Not possible. Some things must be dropped and I am certain it should not be devotional time, prayer, concern for others, and family needs. Priorities cannot be set aside so there is more time for the new choices, yet some of them are important too. I need the wisdom and energy God gives. 

Piper asks, “Do we want it? Christ gives himself to us in proportion to how much we want his refreshment. He quotes, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) That includes seeking Him for answers about what I do with each day. Even this very ordinary Tuesday has more responsibilities than I think will fit and I slept an hour longer than normal besides. I need to seek the Lord’s leading.

Piper offers another thought: “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. . . .”  (Acts 3:19–20)
Sin is simply wanting to run my own life. Repentance is not just turning away from that sin; it is also turning toward the Lord with hearts open, expectant, and submissive. Am I willing to drop the I-wants in favor of His will? And therefore be refreshed?

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1–2)

Yesterday I started a massive project that invites me today to advance progress on it. But there are household chores, garden chores, a shopping list (this is 15% off day at the grocery), and at least one person to talk with, plus that project. Can it all be done in 14 hours? Not likely.

PRAY: Jesus, my prayer today will again be much longer that is written here. Guide me in the praying but also in the choosing. May Your will be clarified and accomplished. Like most days, there will be interruptions and unexpected demands. May my mind be on You and my heart listening for Your voice — sincerely and whole-heartedly — and may You be glorified in all of it. Amen.

… without ceasing…

One question in our small group Bible study was, “What makes you feel most loved: when someone says they love you, or when they do actions that show love?” Most in the group said both. A few cited one of the love languages from a book on that topic.

I’ve since thought about it and notice that one way I feel loved is when I’m standing alone in a crowd and someone spots me, their eyes light up and they hurry over to talk.

Today’s reading is about being delighted in God and how nearness to Him is “the only all-satisfying experience of the universe.” In other words, when I see or sense Him, my eyes light up and I rush to talk with Him. “Pray without ceasing” is a reality with constant conversation about everything with Jesus. This is not to make God feel loved but has the reverse effect; it makes me feel loved!

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. (Psalm 63:1–2)

David prayed this way while he was in the wilderness. He was called a man after God’s own heart and that indicates the way we were created to be. I am at my created best when I am longing for God and seeking Him. This can include obeying all His commands, believing all His Word, thanking Him for all His gifts, yet the essence of loving God is enjoying all that He is, delighting in Him, especially when desolation surrounds and life is not comfortable.

This past week was filled with stresses. Strokes and heart attacks in folks too young for such unexpected events. Friends needing financial help, one because of an injury, another because of an accident and unexpected insurance problems, and several who needed help with expenses. Two families were moving, one involving a very pregnant mom who is having her baby today, and the other a young father with many responsibilities besides moving. He was remodeling the house with only a few days to make it livable. We could not physically chip in but everyone involved requested prayer support. My hubby visited a friend dying in hospice care in another city. We had a family pet in surgery and not too happy about it, plus two major celebration events. Add to that some decisions with actions involving our own home.

Each event in itself was bearable, but all happening in a few days felt like too much for people our age! However, the presence of our loving God gave us the attitude and stamina needed, and of course He talked with us.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

PRAY: Jesus, Your presence made the difference in all events and the choices we made. Naps became extremely appealing this week, yet somehow You kept helping us with stamina and choices to do otherwise — move now and nap later. Truly You renew the strength of those who wait upon You — and a huge part of that is also delighting in You and that marvel of constant conversation. My gratitude.

When the Bible is silent…

 
The Bible is the Word of God, not a book of disjointed slogans or random sayings. The standard illustration of misuse is the person who looks for advice, flips open the Bible and randomly points to a verse that says, “Judas went out and hanged himself.” Not impressed, that person goes on and does it again only to read, “Go thou and do likewise.”

As amusing as that is, people have used isolated texts to sanction things that are totally opposed to the principles of Scripture. This can lead to fanaticism if an isolated text pressures obedience no matter what wrong thing it may lead to. How sad that God's principles are violated by using the excuse of obedience to what His Word says.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:10)

However, life is filled with decisions and choices on topics the Bible does not address. What then? Yesterday’s post gave three other options. God speaks through creation, circumstances, and His children. Creation tells me He is orderly in randomness. He rarely plants trees in a straight line, yet His work has beauty and is pleasing. Will my decision reflect that?

He also uses circumstances. My sister tells of driving to another city with the intention of sharing the gospel with our uncle who was in the hospital. She prayed, “Lord, if he is not ready to hear it, turn me around.” At that moment, her car hit a patch of ice, did a one-eighty and she was in the ditch facing the other direction. She went home, but visited our uncle the next day. He was ready and professed faith in Christ. He died two weeks later to join His Savior.

God also gives advice through His people. However, this advice must harmonize. God cannot say in one voice that which He contradicts in another. Therefore, if one person gives a view that another contradicts, it is not safe to proceed.

We once were members of a church that would not move ahead with decisions unless the elders all agreed, and they had more than seventy elders at that time. They told of a plan to build a new education center, but one elder voted against it. The others waited and prayed. It eventually became obvious that for various reasons, the building should not happen. The voting changed and all sided with the one who first heard this warning from God.

When it seems God is telling me to do something, I usually see whether or not it fits Scripture. My difficulty is in my motivation. Is this particular opportunity for my benefit, or from a sense of duty, or one of my wild ideas, or does He want me to go ahead? In some instances, the answer is to wait for clarity, or don’t do this now but later. Sometimes in waiting for an answer, I forget all about it. God isn’t in it or He would keep nudging me. I wanted to call a friend this week and only got through when she was home — and I soon realized that was the right time to call. If not sure, waiting is a good idea.

But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. (Psalm 38:15)

Another friend told me that she knew God told her three times not to do something, but she did it anyway and lost some money. A second person was told to speak to a certain pastor about God’s love for him and she resisted but eventually went — because that idea passed the biblical test. Afterwards she discovered that he needed to hear what she said because it changed his life and ministry.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

PRAY: Jesus, You are so good to verify what You want from me. I know if any of these tests fail, it is not safe to proceed. I must wait in quiet trust until You show me Your will. You do that when I am yielded, not worried or wanting You to hurry. If something is not Your will You know how to give me a red light. If not, I need to wait for clarity. Thank You for giving me a deep hunger to read Your Word and to know Your voice. You are truly my Savior and my Friend.

His ways are higher…

While many sermons and devotional readings make much of what God’s people are supposed to do, I find more helpful those that remind me of what God has done and promises to do. This is partly age — for at my stage of life I can no longer physically do actions that were easy when younger. But it is also the experience of trying to run my own life in many areas and realizing that it is the God-guided life that is fulfilling and leads to what is best.

That said, today’s devotional affirms it. I must believe that divine guidance is promised and my faith must confidently look for and expect it. If I seek it, I will be certain to receive it.

We visit Christian friends today that have many decisions ahead of them. Some tell us that many friends are telling them what they should do. While seeking counsel is usually good, it can be very confusing if the advice varies or contradicts other advice, so we are hoping that our conversation will be from the Lord. I’m thinking to ask, “What is God telling you to do?”

As His children, we know that our God has all knowledge and all wisdom, and that He will also guide us to whatever is best for us. We also know that what He tells us may seem confusing and even wrong to the short-sighted human eyes around us, and even to us. It takes faith to remember that God says:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8–9)

God alone knows the end of things from the beginning and can judge what the results of any course of action may be. His love can run counter to the loving wishes of even our dearest friends. In order to be a disciple and follower of Jesus, I, or any other believer, may be called to forsake even my own family to do what Jesus asks of me:

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29)

God’s children who listen and obey Him need to know this. For some, it is leaving a former religion, and there are some who will try to destroy family members who become Christians. For some, the anger or rejection will not be that severe, but family may consider the convert dead and shun them. Others will become aloof, distant, or even mock believers from their family or who once were their friends.

Today’s devotional ends with, “Unless he is prepared for this and can trust the Lord through it all, he will scarcely know what to do.” I know a young mother who follows Jesus. She has a son who is only beginning life and just started school, but she has been teaching him the reality of adversity and how to deal with it. This boy is a cheerful child and easy to like, yet his mom knows the reality of persecution toward even children. How wise her plan to prepare him for it and teach him how to respond.

This afternoon, our friends need support in what God has told them, regardless of the critics that might advise them otherwise.

PRAY: Jesus, this afternoon is a challenge. We do not want to further confuse our friends but help them to hear Your voice (which we think they already have) but not to let the many other voices they are hearing interfere with doing what You say. It may not fit with the ‘common sense’ of their friends or family, or even themselves, but may we encourage them to listen to You and do what You say, knowing that your ways are higher than ours and are always for our good and for Your glory.

Later: We experienced a totally surprising answer to prayer that had us jumping for joy with our friends. Lord, You are utterly amazing.

First things first . . .

 

READ Zephaniah 1–3 and Haggai 1–2

Time is have past, present future, but eternity is all NOW. Perhaps that is why much of the OT prophets spoke in terms that seem to apply to their situation but also to the future, to the “day of the Lord” when sin would end, and righteousness would prevail.

Zephaniah prophesied during the reforms of King Josiah after the reign of an evil king. This prophet told of judgment to come, but also restoration. His use of the term “day of the Lord” refers both to impending and final judgments as he calls people to seek the Lord.

“I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. (Zephaniah 1:2–3)

Zephaniah says this “day” is near, yet some of it points to the end spoken of in Revelation:

I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. (1:17–18)

His words tell readers what to do: “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.” (2:3)

He also describes those who refuse to listen:

“Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord; she does not draw near to her God. Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law. The Lord within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.” (3:1–5)

Yet there is hope, both for the people of Zephaniah’s day and our day:

“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord . . . .  I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord, those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid . . . . The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing’ . . . . “Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,’ says the Lord.” (3:9; 12–20)

After this prophet and after the first wave of Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, they were supposed to rebuild the temple, but Haggai rebuked the people for living in “paneled houses” while the house of God remained in ruins. They must repent as the temple symbolized God’s restored presence among them. After withholding blessings, He stirred up their leaders to do the work saying:

“I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory . . . . The silver is mine, and the gold is mine . . . . The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former . . . . And in this place, I will give peace.” (Haggai 2:6–9)

Could the priorities of God be plainer? I have needs and want blessings. He says I must take care of the place where God dwells (my heart) and He will take care of the rest.