Week Fifty-One - Weep or Rejoice

Sometimes life is hard and disappointing. Our best hopes can fail, and we face a choice about how to respond. Will we weep or rejoice?

After seventy years of captivity, the Jews returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, and as the temple's foundation is completed, the people rejoice, "praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel" (Ezra 3:11). 

Yet while they are rejoicing, the older men are weeping; maybe because the new temple isn't as large and glorious as the first, or maybe because they are humbled to see God's promise fulfilled.

Mary and Joseph had big plans for their life together. The traditions of marriage were being followed to the T, and they and their parents had expectations of a beautiful new family. But one visit from an angel and that vision perished. It was gone, never to return again. Fear and hurt spread across their hearts as they came to understand their position. Yet both of these young people surrendered to God's vision for their lives, knowing He was in control.

Sometimes life doesn't turn out as expected. Our visions of glory are marred and dimmed, but God's vision is not. This second temple, though not as grand and glorious as the first, was still a reminder of His mercy and ability to keep His Word. This juncture with God brought the young couple much heartache, but also the fulfillment of God's promise.

I'm reminded of the word, nevertheless. Jesus said, "Nevertheless, not my will but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42). The disciples said, "Nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net" (Luke 5:5). The Bible also says, "Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure" (2 Timothy 2:19). This word is used over 100 times in the Bible. It means not to regard the situation but to proceed. It is a word of choice.

Our reaction is our choice. 

We can sit crying or put our hands to the work.
We can hold on to a hurt or surrender it to God.
We can wish things were different or graciously accept them as they are.
We can pine away in melancholy or seek to be a blessing.
We can weep at what is lost or rejoice in what is given. 

When life grows hard, what will be your choice?

Week Fifty - The Tired Pastor

Today I want to share some Scriptures that caught my attention during my daily Bible reading. In 2 Chronicles 29:34, we read, "But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings; wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests."

I made a little note next to this verse: "Interesting." These priests seemed lazy in their work and ill-prepared when Hezekiah called for the passover. I wondered why and dismissed them as lazy souls.

I moved on with my reading and came to 30:18-20 reading, "A multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, the good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people."

That is interesting, too. Even though the people weren't ready to do the passover as God had prescribed, He granted them mercy and acceptance.

Reading on, I came to 31:4. Here I had to stop and think for a while. It reads, "Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord."

Why did these priest needs encouragement? As I thought about what had been taking place, I remembered they had been under Ahaz, a wicked king, and hardly anybody was going to "church." The house of God was not cared for, full of evil and idolatry, and now Hezekiah was trying to put things right. These men of God were discouraged, probably wondering why God even bothered to have a tribe dedicated to a temple that wasn't loved and appreciated. They needed encouragement to pick up the banner and get back on board with the task.

Before I share a few thoughts, the Bible speaks of encouragement again in 2 Chronicles 35:2 when Josiah calls for the passover. "And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord."

This idea of encouraging spiritual leaders and servants has carried through several chapters, reminding us of the need to uplift and encourage those who serve us in spiritual matters.

Theirs is a different weight of responsibility than ours in the pew. Theirs is a calling, and we should not be neglectful in remembering them in prayer, showing appreciation, and helping and giving where we can. These small acts of kindness and thought, and our faithful attendance and participation, are a source of encouragement for them.

Does your pastor seem weary? Is the light in his eyes dim? He may need encouragement and some appreciation. This is a good season to express love. How will you encourage him in his work?

Week Forty-Nine - Keep Moving Forward

I'm not sure where I got these notes, but I want to let you know I am using someone else's thoughts as I write today. I use them because they spoke directly to my heart and are worthy of sharing.

God has repeatedly used Proverbs 16:3 to help me maintain focus and trust Him as I face decisions and obstacles. It reads, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Here is what I found written about this verse.

"In a world saturated with distractions, driven by convenience, and crippled by inconsistency, the call to commit is countercultural. Yet, Solomon - under divine inspiration - urges us to take all our works, dreams, and duties and commit them unto the Lord. Why? Because only in holy commitment will our thoughts, goals, and outcomes find clarity, direction, and establishment.

The word "commit" here is the Hebrew word "galal," meaning to roll upon. It gives the idea of rolling your burdens, tasks, and works off your own shoulders and onto God's. Not in passivity or laziness - but in trust and total investment. Commitment is not just intention - it is action with direction.

"thy thoughts shall be established."

This means that when we give God our actions, He will firm up our thoughts. In other words, right action fuels right thinking. We live in a generation that says, "Wait until you feel motivated, then act." But God's Word teaches the opposite: Act in faith, and your thoughts will follow with clarity and strength.

Current Trends: A Culture of Half-Heartedness

        A recent Gallup poll found that only 23% of U.S. employees are "engaged" at work. That means over 3/4ths of people are doing the bare minimum.

        A Brana study found that fewer than 1 in 3 Christians who make a spiritual resolution or ministry goal see it through beyond 90 days.

        Among young adults, a study from the National Center for Education Statistics noted that task
completion and follow-through rates have dropped sharply over the past two decades, correlating with the rise in digital distraction.

We are not suffering from a lack of potential - we are suffering from a lack of commitment.

We have plenty of biblical examples of committed servants.

        Nehemiah committed his work to the Lord, despite opposition, distraction, and danger, and rebuilt Jerusalem's wall in 52 days.  Nehemiah 6:15

        Paul the Apostle was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and opposed - but never wavered from the work God gave him.  Acts 20:24, 2 Timothy 4:7

    Jesus Christ Himself said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." John 4:34. He is the ultimate example of diligence, commitment, and follow-through.

Committed or Convenient?

Many Christians today are waiting for the "right time' or "perfect motivation" to serve God. But true commitment doesn't wait for motivation - it creates it.

Discipline beats emotion. Faithfulness overcomes feelings. As Leonard Ravenhill once said, "The world has lost the power to blush over its vice; the church has lost her power to weep over her lack of commitment."

In a world allergic to effort, let the believer shine through diligence. Not just starting strong - but finishing faithfully.

Consider some practical steps:

1. Commit your calendar - prioritise church, devotion, and outreach. Don't fit them in, build life around them.

2. Establish a morning routine - begin each day directing your works upon the Lord in Prayer. Psalm 5:3

3. Track progress, not perfection - the Lord blesses consistency, not occasional passion.

4. Don't make vows lightly - Ecclesiastes 5 warns about making promises you don't intend to keep. Instead, commit with intent and diligence."

There is a load of good stuff there, isn't there? 

And why does it matter to me today? Because I am praying for the Lord to show me my next step. Am I to continue writing, posting, and videoing? I know wholeheartedly that He directed me into this. Now,  after five full years, how long am I to continue? What does He want from me in 2026? 

There are only a few weeks before the New Year springs upon us, and my plan is to take a pause from some of this content creation and focus on prayer and committing my work unto Him, so He can direct my steps. Please pray with me. I want to do what He wants, not what I might want. I want to keep moving forward by faith until my journey is complete.