Memories…

When mom was in the initial stage of memory loss, she accepted it. This made it easy to talk about. I told her that I didn’t think much about the past, so if I lost my short-term memory, my mind would be a total blank. She laughed with me.

Today’s devotional is a reminder that memories of the past can be valuable. If I remember what God has done, discouragement takes a hike. Remembering that God is God is also strength during hard times. Thoughts of past failures can affect humility and remembering what He has taught me should keep me from making the same mistakes. 

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:11–12)

While I do not like to remember struggles, this also has purpose with current difficulties because I remember how God brought me through:

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. (Hebrews 10:32–33)

Other memories are not personal, but come from historical records and remind me that the news of today is not so different from former tragedies and remind me also that the Lord who brought His people through difficulties in the past can do it again.

For instance, in 1893 the Philadelphia and Reading Railroads filed for bankruptcy, great financial trusts began to collapse, and 500 banks failed. The next year 142 more banks failed, one-quarter of all heavy industry was idle, in one seventeen-day period in January there was an eleven-million-dollar run on the gold of the federal treasury. Not only that, a forest fire near Hinkley, Minnesota, destroyed 160,000 acres and killed 400 people.

Other events, like two world wars plus a host of weather-related tragedies, accidents, crashes, and crime can shake faith, yet God's promises still hold and are still a comfort in the times of storms. He says:

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. (Isaiah 43:18–21)

Some call the Christian’s future hope “pie-in-the-sky” yet without it, how do we keep going? Those who know Jesus are usually not among those who fall into deep despair and jump out windows or take too many pills to escape their unbearable situation.

PRAY: While it is good to remember Your power and goodness, I also like the advice to not remember former things, but dwell on the glory that is to come. Bad memories can sometimes make me feel like quitting. Future hope never does that, even when my future hope is based on Your past promises and faithfulness. Thank You for the memories and the ability to sort them out and put them where they best belong. 

Ruckus or a Rest?

 

Every now and then things happen that require either acceptance or a fight. Because God is sovereign and controls all things, and uses them for my good, I can rest no matter what those things might be.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

This teaching was one of the first things God put into my heart and mind. It works well with my mother’s mantra. She often said, “We must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.” While she said it most often about the weather, this trust in God for every circumstance held even when she suffered from Alzheimers and faced all sorts of changes and challenges. She had this amazing attitude of acceptance rather than fighting life, and that attitude fits well with being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

I’ve said I want to be like my mom when I grow up. Now, into my later years, I’m still learning. One area is with new situations, or with many decisions to be made. Our recent decision to move into another place that is more suited to our needs is giving me reasons to repeat mom’s mantra.

Jesus gave an invitation that also fits with this idea and reason for accepting life as it comes. He said:

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)

I’ve learned that this passage uses two words about burdens. The first is the heavy load of a shipment that requires muscle or equipment to move it. However, the “burden” that Jesus said He would give us is merely the paper invoice that is attached to the shipment! In other words, His yoke is nothing compared to the weight that most people try to carry. He does not want me to take on the heavy loads, only those that are in His will for me.

The Bible also talks about rest. It is typified in Sabbath rest, one day in seven to stop working and take it easy, but it points to the same type of rest that Jesus talked about, the rest of not laboring with the full load but trusting Him and coming to Him for only what He wants for me. This is also implied in the words, “I must need it…” for what He gives is needful that I might be like Him. What I might take on in my own strength does not do that for me. Instead, it makes me tired, worn out, grumpy, and hard to get along with.
In other words, my load is the work of the flesh, and taking His load is walking in the Spirit. One is a fight and also a disobedience. The other is acceptance, trust, and full obedience.

Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:6–13)

PRAY: Jesus, I am so aware of the difference between being heavy laden and taking on the yoke with You that You give. I cannot manage daily life, never mind moving to another home, without Your grace and strength. All that I try on my own makes me irritable and anxious. Trusting You fills me with peace and joy. Thank You for my mother — and thank you for being who You are, the giver of good things that I might become more like You.

Besides Him, there is no Savior

Joshua 16–17; Psalm 148; Jeremiah 8; Matthew 22

This morning I was still not certain about yesterday’s challenge. What do I say to the person who is defending a false teacher? Anything? Nothing? Throughout yesterday, the Holy Spirit kept nudging me about my motivations. Something in me wanted to preach, to debate, to convince. The Spirit asked who do I trust? This morning I recognize the answer. It is easy to think that I can ‘save’ someone by using persuasive words, even God’s Word, using a powerful, well-spoken argument.

The above Scriptures did not say anything helpful so I went to ‘the verse of the day’ in my Bible software and God gently spoke to me: I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. (Isaiah 43:11)

In context, this verse affirmed with the Spirit was saying; I can try to be the Savior, but that is totally pointless. I have no power and no real understanding of what someone else needs to hear. I thought God was giving me verses of instruction and rebuke for someone else (1 Timothy 6:20-21) but He was speaking to me, warning me about listening to nonsense. God uses the verse of the day and its context to tell me that He will take care of that other person.

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you . . . . “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . . Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true. “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me, no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God. Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?” Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I send to Babylon (a place of captivity) and bring them all down as fugitives . . . . I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” (Isaiah 43:1–15)

God delivers those who are His. He may use human instruments as His witnesses yet I cannot assume that I can talk anyone into freedom. He is the Savior; I am not. He says “for your sake” He will rescue all fugitives, all those who are His, because whatever He does, no one can resist it or turn it back.

APPLY: “Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes.” (1 Samuel 12:16) I must leave this with Him because I know my pride and tendency to want to take the credit. Keep praying. Be obedient should He ask me to say or do anything yet always trust the Lord to do what He alone can do.

 

May the Lord answer . . .

Leviticus 17; Psalms 20–21; Proverbs 31; 1 Timothy 2

These days are filled with three main preoccupations. Besides the normal chores of household, I am praying lots, making quilts, and purging the non-essentials from our home. Yesterday afternoon I tackled my studio. It was messy, too full of projects and things that need to be put where they belong, never mind the stuff that sits there but is unused.

Most of the time when my space gets that way, I realize my life is also like that. Too much on my mind, too many plans and projects, cluttered ideas going through my brain. This is reflected in my home and cleaning up where I live makes a difference; it brings clarity of thought.

Since I live much of my days in my studio, it is time to get organized, yet this is a large space, about 18’ x 33’ and with too many components. As I looked around this morning, I felt overwhelmed — added to the overwhelmed feeling of living in a pandemic, not being able to spend time face-to-face with people, and concerns for family and friends. This is nothing like King David’s experiences, but the feelings are the same — and God uses David’s major distresses to bring comfort to my minor distresses . . .

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah. May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when we call. (Psalm 20:1–9)

This psalm reminds me that God hears and answers. He protects, even sends help as His people are continually calling to support and encourage. He remembers that I am His child, trusting in the sacrifice of His Son for my salvation. He knows the desires of my heart as I pray for others who do not know Him yet. He will answer my prayers.

Horses and chariots are literal for David who knows that his enemies trust in their armies and calvary. For me, they represent all the things I could trust, but do not. I cannot rely on my own strength or wisdom, only on the name of my Lord and God. All else will fail me. Only in Jesus can I stand firm.

APPLY: Call out to the Lord for wisdom and grace for all that He puts on my heart to do. it might be the homey stuff of cleaning up, or more significant calls to/from family and friends who all need encouragement and hope during these difficult days. Mostly it is prayers for His power and blessing on those believers out on the front lines of fighting this virus, and prayers for His saving grace on those who face death without any hope. David gives assurance: May God hear and answer me as I call.

PS. I’m too old to move furniture all day!

Who am I?

Part of my Christian experience involved studying and teaching the topic of biblical self-image. We who are Christian need to view ourselves as both sinners and saints, worthy of wrath yet objects of mercy. It isn’t one or the other but both at the same time, a view that requires faith and the Spirit of God to pull off.

The problem with such a topic is the focus — obviously it is on self, but whenever I put it there, I’m walking into dangerous territory. The Bible says I cannot serve God and money — but I also cannot serve God and self.

Tozer lists some of the self-centered dangers: self-love, self-confidence, self-righteousness, self-admiration, self-aggrandizement and self-pity. Many of the activities of life can be done for these reasons rather than doing them in obedience to the Holy Spirit and for the glory of God.

How to get past this stuff is important, but the actual doing of it is not easy. Self-effort obviously cannot be the means. How do Christians think differently about themselves when self it is the most natural object of our affection? I’ve prayed about this, and God always surprises me with His answers even though they come right out of Scripture that I’ve read and reread, passages like this one:

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:5–11)

The bottom line is that I’m to consider myself dead to sin and alive to God. I’ve known that, but this past couple of weeks I’ve a vivid illustration that makes the doing of it a little easier. That is, I can think more easily about being dead to sin now that I am totally depending on a little computer with a battery to keep me alive!

God has given me a perfect verse for right now . . .

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)

My body and heart are not my source of life — God is. The heart may not work as it once did, but He gives me what I need, not only now but forever. This makes it much easier to think of myself as crucified with Christ yet alive to God in Christ Jesus.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

I’d never have guessed that to think rightly about myself would involve a pacemaker and the destruction of a vital part of my heart, but God knew how to answer my prayer. He always does.

^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, today is a new day. I’m listening for Your instruction and encouragement. Being crucified with You is a good thing because it means deadness to sin. Satan has his ways of trying to convince me that it is okay to listen to and live by that old sinful self, but Your life in me is all that matters and is all that is real! Old things will not last, but in You, I will live forever.