Up and Down Days

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. . . . (Micah 5:2–5)

Yesterday was up, then down. A couple of nice surprises encouraged me. Then circumstances with others pulled me down as it seemed my prayers for certain people would never be answered. Yet last night I asked for sleep without anxiety and received it. This morning I asked for encouragement and the above passage popped up. God promises the One who would come and be my peace, turning my thoughts to the power of Jesus. He is my peace. Another passage reminds me that my inner joy does not depend on outer circumstances. Paul wrote this from prison:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. . . . Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:8;11–13)

Many times this passage is interpreted to mean that God will give me the ability to do whatever task that faces me, but “doing all things” is not about accomplishments because the context says it means having a deep confidence that God is in control and being content no matter the circumstances. 

It helps to know people who think positively like this, not that they can do everything but that their attitude of deep contentment overrides whatever is going on in their lives. Our friend BT was a great example. He had more reasons to be discouraged than anyone I know. He recently went home to Jesus, and I miss him and that “I’m fine” attitude that was totally genuine. Life is full of lemons yet he always poured out sweet lemonade, not a pollyanna happy-happy, but a deep joy in Jesus and His gift of thinking praiseworthy thoughts rather than ‘poor me’.

My mom is missed too. Her attitude, even into Alzheimers, was “I must need it or I would not be getting it.” That means that God wants me to see the lack of godliness in those I love? Is this to show me more about the attitude of God toward them? Or more about my need to trust what I cannot see? 

Micah wrote more and these words tell me to keep waiting and keep praying:

Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms; for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:5–7)

Micah says the worst yet kept his focus on the promises of God. He tells me not to trust what my eyes tell me, and look to the Lord when it seems that liar who is our enemy is in control.  

Lord God, so often I just want to hide from the ugliness around me and the messy news and all that makes me sad. Thinking excellence is deeply challenging when the ugly messiness is nearer than a TV newscast. Instead of escaping, deepen my faith in You and deepen my prayer life so that I can be content even when Your will and my wants seem to oppose one another. Your goodness is far deeper. I need to trust You more, even when it seems like You are not hearing my heart cries. Deepen my faith.

 

God's remedy for bad news

Behold, the Lord will empty the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants. And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the slave, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor. The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the Lord has spoken this word. The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the highest people of the earth languish. The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left. (Isaiah 24:1–6)

This reads too much like this morning’s newspaper. All bad news. Much confusion in every part. No mention of hope or trusting God. Some exhortation for human powers  to fix it, but all efforts fail and most of them get a low approval rating. Are we suffering as did the ancients because we are guilty of transgressing the laws of God and His covenant with us has been broken?

Some see good things, progress. Some see only selfishness and hidden motivations. The media promotes their bias. Podcasts and opposing political opinions add to the confusion. AI makes many wonder if truth can be found, or is all of it imagined or it just adds to the deceptions on the minds of the masses? Scams are robbing funds from those who are in the habit of believing everything they hear. How can anyone trust their bank when they send someone to pick up a ‘faulty credit card’ and rob that person of thousands? We are living in a world gone haywire.

The Bible indicates that all falls apart when we trust ourselves and not God. Personally, I know that is true. The Bible teaches me, but so does experience and my own lack of obedience. The above passage says this applies to everyone. It isn’t just for ‘religious’ people or those without thought for God. 

Spiritual truth is outside of opinions and human choices. We can make our choices,  but we cannot choose the consequences. This passage goes on to describe some of them. As my farming dad used to say, “I plant the seeds but God makes them grow” — or not. Without His blessing, our needs and joys go by the wayside.

Jesus, I know that every breath I take is in Your power. You can give me peace and joy. My actions and attitude can ruin my life, but if I am loving and serving You, Your  peace and joy remain, even when the headlines spell doom for the rest of the world. I want people to know that. Yet trusting You isn’t primarily about You changing circumstances, or even about You making our work profitable. It is about You granting peace and contentment no matter what is happening. For this, I am blessed.

Faith Tested again…

All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:1–7)

Life is filled with tests of faith. Will I trust God in this situation or myself? The above passage is about fear of dying that led to a quarrel because the people were not trusting God to care for them. My fear today was not about water or dying, just about what people might think of my lack of social skills. It is part of an ADHD/Autism thing.

Today a group of quilters arranged a trip to Ronald McDonald House. I didn’t want to go, not due to a lack of interest but I’m not sure I know how to do a tour. I’m in my eighties and do not remember ever being in one. I feared doing and saying things that were not appropriate. And I kept arguing with myself about going and finally said, “Lord, show me what to do.” 

The bus would leave at 10:00, not giving me a lot of time. When I sat at my desk at 9:00, the top page on a stack of old calendar pages I use for scrap was out of place. Before putting it right, I turned it over and it said, “Do the things you fear. . . .” offering reasons why. It was not the Bible, but it echoed it:

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13–17)

Therefore I went, determined not to trust myself or listen to me, instead. And like a child with her hand in daddy’s hand, trusting God and speaking only when He prompted and I knew it was Him. Turned out the tour was a great experience in an incredibly well-run place. 

Jesus, I so often feel like a helpless child, but do not need to be fearful. You hold my hand and whisper in my ears and draw me close, giving me words to say, or not. After weeks of being ill and confined, entering normal life isn’t to be feared, even if it comes with an exam. Thank You for enabling faith.

 

Spirit vs. flesh?

 

Lately I’ve noticed in myself and in others the contrast between two ways to live. It is described in the NT like this:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16–18)

While the Bible is filled with information to help us know the difference, the Lord gave me a new thought about this by a question: What does perfect obedience look like? 

I was with a few Christian women earlier this week who were unlike most people that I’ve ever met. It is hard to explain, but they were without pretense, ego issues, guilt, malice, resentment, nor any other negatives. However, they could tease one another, boast in their own weaknesses, and laugh about everything. These women were like children in joyful play, yet profound in their wisdom. 

As I think about them and about other experiences, I realize that God is showing me how to define what it is like to walk in the Spirit. It isn’t about choice, because He does it, but there are no desires of the flesh. Sin simply does not enter the mind, and if it does, it is quickly recognized and rejected. Love flows instead.

This morning, God raised another question. This one is related to His first command:
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16–17)

Why that one? The fruit itself was not evil. Charnock says, “Adam was prohibited nothing else but this one, as a sign of his subjection. Now for this no reason can be rendered by any man but merely the will of God; this was merely a fruit of his dominion.”

In other words, God told Adam to do what He said, without making any judgment on it or having any reason to see why. A similar command was made to Abram when he was told to sacrifice his son. That man just did it, without asking why, or protesting, or offering a ‘better’ idea. Obedience is not so much a conscious choice but a spontaneous positive response to what God said. So is walking by the Spirit.

In the garden, God gave that one rule to show the only boundary I have for the freedom God gives. That boundary is: “Did God give me the thought? Or is it my idea?” What highlights His sovereignty? Is there self-reliance in this idea, my words, or my actions? Or is it pure God?

Unfortunately, many learn (or not) by trial and error. Mostly error. I follow a fleshy idea without being Spirit-filled and crash. Had I been Spirit-filled, that idea would not have entered my head in the first place.

This is the difference between the old life and the childlike innocence that Jesus gives. A Spirit-filled life replaces the ‘death’ of being useless, separated from God, self-glorying and driving by personal effort. The flesh might seem okay, even good, but its source is rooted in the knowledge of good and evil and making a choice, rather than in the spontaneous response to the Holy Spirit, regardless of what He asks of me. There is so much trust that disobedience or even questioning God is not even a thought.

The commands of the Law all have reasons. Caring about others keeps the world in peace. Being thankful produces contentment. Prayer keeps me connected to the Lord. But knowing good and evil draws me into a life of making choices instead of simply living only to do what God puts in my heart. And out of that life flows “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

 PRAY: Lord, You are telling me to simply love and trust You, to focus on Your kingdom and righteousness, to be filled with Your Spirit — and You will lead me along the way everlasting. While explaining this ‘walk in the Spirit’ to others, may each of us enjoy a return to Eden before sin threw us out — and may You receive great glory. Amen!

These troubling times. . . .

 

Many folks in North America are in a turmoil over tariffs, new laws, and the way governments are threatening each other. However, Christians need not get in a stew. Sooner or later, either in mercy or in wrath, God will make all men see and confess that “The most High rules.” Nothing happens apart from His will, even the tough stuff.

In the days of Daniel, the king Nebuchadnezzar thought he was invincible and yet God had another plan. This man was “driven from among men, and his dwelling was with the beasts of the field. He was made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time passed over him, until he knew that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” (Daniel 4:17-32) After this time of insanity, this proud king declared:

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:34–35)

In many cases, national leaders have little knowledge of God. Even these days, I’ve heard it said that while many Christians have biblical understanding that God is ruling, is totally sovereign, yet in practice they live like atheists. This does not always mean they are not really Christians, but that the full realization of this truth has not yet grabbed hold. The flesh still has not realized it is dead (separated from God) or the reality of fleshy action has not been recognized. If that is happening, some Christians run their own lives as if God is there only to forgive sin and take them to heaven.

This can be the result of inadequate teaching, or just a proud heart that does not see their need to diligently study the Word of God. Whatever the reason, God teaches us through trials. When trouble comes, the goal is to realize He can be trusted within the trial. For Nebuchadnezzar, God removed it. For some, the difficulty stays.

Either way, eventually all of us are terminal. What goes unlearned here will not benefit this life or give us the peace of knowing God is in charge. Far better is that “abundant life” Jesus promised to His sheep. We need to be able to say this about those who think they are in charge of things:  

Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. (Isaiah 40:21–25)

He also says this, and these words give me a calm heart:

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” (Psalm 2:1–6)

PRAY: Father, I am so glad that You are on the throne and that the rulers of this world are not greater, stronger, or in charge over You. I can pray and even protest their ideas if You want me to do that, or I can rest in Your care and trust You, learning what You want me to learn from all trials. Nothing happens to the lives of Your people that escapes Your power to use it for our good — which is to transform us into the image of Your Son Jesus.

God’s wisdom

 

Some Canadians are quite stirred up by the next American leader’s jesting that Canada should be the next state of his country. At the same time, the Canadian leader is rapidly losing the confidence of voters and even those who elected him. Today’s newspaper gave an account of discussions between these two leaders. When one joked about taking over the other, the unpopular leader in Canada quipped in return that they could work out a trade, maybe take two states in trade. At that, all talks about a take-over ended and I chuckled.

Then I read this in Charnock’s book in a section about the wisdom of God:

The wisdom of God hath given to men diverse offices, set them its diverse places; some have more honorable charges, some meaner. Not to give that respect their offices and places call for, is to quarrel with the wisdom of God, and overturn the rank and order wherein he has placed things. It is unfit we should affront God in the disposal of his creatures, and intimate to him… that he had done more wisely in placing another, and that he hath done foolishly in placing this or that man in such a charge. Sometimes men are unworthy the place they fill; they may be set there in judgment to themselves and others: but the wisdom of God in his management of things, is to be honored and regarded.

My time with God each morning is not about politics but to focus on Him and His will. All human leaders have flaws, but this response to what seems a joke to some and a threat to others, was met in such a way that it made me wonder if this was one reason the Canadian leader was given his place. His response showed wisdom in humor. It also pointed me to this verse in today’s readings:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33)

Charnock says we trust the physician’s skill with our bodies, and the lawyer’s counsel with our estates; but are loath to rely upon God for the concerns of our lives. This applies to many concerns, political issues included. I can list a few things in my own life that I’ve questioned why God allowed such events, or prevented some desires. The Word of God and godly people give answers that show me that my Sovereign God is not joking about anything. His judgments and plans are incomprehensibly wise. The ways He carries them out are as wise as His resolve to do what He does. I am almost always unable to understand His methods, never mind His reasons, because His judgments and ways are both unsearchable.

But God understands my griefs. He knows exactly what I need. None of His remedies are beyond His skill. I might be bewildered and feel hopeless, or think at times that He isn’t caring that I am distressed, or that there is no way this can be a good thing, but He reminds me;

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)

From His Word and my experiences with Him, I know that when I cannot prevent harm or danger, He knows how. If I can’t seem to escape evil or sorrow or trouble, He knows how to deliver me. He means to do what He promises to do, no matter how deep I might dig myself into a hole:

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15)

This world is sinful, guilty and cursed, and His solution is Jesus Christ. I’m so amazed that He included me in this gracious gift.

He also makes clear that Jesus is the only way, just as He declared: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) The deeper He makes Himself known to me, the more I understand why He is the only Savior, not me or any other way.

PRAY: Oh Lord, You hear my questions and You understand my desire to know why when it comes to Your dealings with me, and with others. But You also know what I need to know, and what I do not need to know. You sometimes put words in my mouth that startle even me, yet You sometimes will not allow me to say anything. Trusting your wisdom is often a challenge, yet You grant the gift of faith that I may bow to Your will without any outcry. I am amazed at Your goodness and also at Your wisdom.

Pray up a storm — or rest in a calm?

 

Many of those on my prayer list do not call themselves Christian and show no sign of trusting Jesus Christ — for their salvation or in any way. They are unresponsive to spiritual conversation, not hostile but not interested. Today’s devotional reading is about having faith in God to do what He wants for their lives.

Because I trust God to take care of me, I can trust Him to take care of others, whether they believe or not. Not only did He send Jesus to die for them, but His sovereign care governs whatever happens in their lives.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Even if they presently do not believe, because God is “over all things” He is able to reach their hearts and as Jesus prayed: “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” (John 17:6)

And I can pray to this end too, for He is able to do it: “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

After praying for many years for most of them, the Lord impresses these things on me, and that those people are far more loved by Him than I am. I cannot keep them in my care as well as He can keep them in His care. In being anxious for their salvation, am I any more anxious than God?!

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

The reading tells of a mother who was anxious for her unbelieving sons. Finally she realized God’s care was greater than her own and she “put those she loved into the fortress of God by faith and left them there, abandoning them to the care of God.” Her anxiety vanished and she was filled with perfect peace, sensing these sons were God’s sons now and no longer hers. Because He loved them far better than she could, He would care for them far more wisely and effectually. She was ready to do whatever He wanted, but became content to leave them in His hands.

This is not a copout. Anyone who prays for loved ones knows the pain of unanswered prayer, yet to stop caring is unthinkable. In this ‘trial of faith’ the answer seems to be to witness to them, do something, at least keep praying, yet this story shows that God can be looking for total trust rather than building persistence.

PRAY: Jesus, You tell me to share with others, to pray for them. To knock and keep knocking and the door will be opened, but You also tell me to be still and know You are God. In spiritual battles for the souls of people, there are times to say things, or to pray without ceasing, but also times to rest on Your promises and trust You to answer my prayers in the best time and the best possible way. Help me, and all those who pray, to know the difference and respond according to Your will.

God is in the chaos

The human idea of peace is that it must be outward before it can be inward, that all conflict and problems must be solved before we can feel okay. But the Lord’s idea is an inner peace that can exist in the midst of turmoil and can be triumphant over it.

Jesus is peace. He is in control of what happens in my life and His intentions for me are good. He tells me that I can have joy in trials:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

Right now, most of my ‘trials’ are heavy burdens that others carry or thing happening to other people that make me feel pain for them. Personally, my trials are nothing compared to most of them, yet when my stomach churns over these and personal issues, I need to remember where my peace and joy come from. When life is not going well (or even when it is) Jesus tells me to abide in Him.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:1–11)

Abiding is sticking with Jesus, remaining in a mindset of trust. As always, trust is hand in hand with obedience. I’m to do what He says, even when circumstances are screaming at me and life is very challenging. He gives me something to do also:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

PRAY: Jesus, getting older brings challenges, questions of how much time do I have, what are the most important things on that never-ending to-do list, who and what to pray for, and how can I deal with a myriad of distractions? Lots of ideas, days not long enough, many responsibilities, a sense of nothing being important and everything being important. Today, this over-burdened mind needs rest, but You know best what I need, so I will lay it all at Your feet and take You up on that offer of peace that passes all understanding. Please guard my heart and mind today. Grant clear direction and that amazing sense of You being with me in the chaos of life this day.