Week Thirty-Three - The Enemy of Jehovah

Psalm 83 is one of those "kill 'em, Lord" psalms, psalms where the writer is asking God to annihilate the enemy with the harshest of means. 

Asaph cries out for God not to be silent, not to hold His peace, because the enemy is lifting his head against Jehovah. By crafty counsel, the enemy seeks to remove Israel until it is remembered no more. They have joined forces with enemies of old, and even distant relatives, who desire to take the house of God.

Asaph pours out instruction for God to make them like stubble, burn them like wood or wild fires on the mountain, to persecute them by the tempest and frighten them by storms until their faces are ashamed. He's serious about their removal.

Then, Asaph makes two merciful requests. 

1. That they might seek God's face (vs 16).
2. That they might honor Jehovah as supreme (vs 18).

So, Asaph's prayer has two parts. First, he prays that the enemy would be stopped.

Many of us are praying similar prayers today. The enemy of Jehovah is raging. Fear does grip our hearts, and we may feel helpless to calm the situation, but prayer is never wasted. We know the prayers of God's people will be answered. They rise to Heaven with a special scent when God's people are persecuted.  So keep praying for God to intervene.

Then, Asaph inserts the two merciful requests - 1. That they might seek God's face and, 2. That they would recognize God as supreme.

Our prayers, like those of Asaph, can get focused on praying that the enemy would be thwarted because we want the fear and struggle to stop. But equally important is this second point - that they would seek God and recognize Him as supreme. And how would they?

God may reveal Himself to them in power, or even through dreams, as we read in the Bible. He may use the testimonies of God's people, but most often, He is revealed through our reaction to persecution and by answer to our prayers. 

Think about this in light of your prayer life. Are you praying for the enemy to seek and see God as sincerely and urgently as you are praying for them to be removed? Would God's mercy and Holy Spirit conviction channel to them through your behavior toward your enemy?

Those who oppose God are out there, and as much as we should resist them through prayer and legal means, we should equally be praying for God to intervene in their lives. Why? Because God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) to all who call upon Him. (Romans 10:12). He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) - not even our enemies.

Week Thirty-One - Not Set Aright

I was a rebellious teenager. I won't go into great detail, but suffice it to say I was a grief of mind to my parents and wound up being a grief of mind to myself in the end. Had the Lord not stepped into my life, I'm sure I would have continued down the path to my own destruction.

I was reading Psalm 78 today, and the writer, Asaph, states that the hearts of the children of Israel were not set aright. They were rebellious. He recounts their failings before God, saying they refused, forgot, spoke again, believed not, lied unto him, turned back, tempted, provoked, dealt unfaithfully, and limited God. Sounds like a rebellious heart to me.

But God? He continued leading them safely to the Promised Land, forgave, was compassionate, remembered they were only flesh, showed His strength, provided flesh and water for them, and in verse 72 we read, "fed them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands."

When our hearts are not set aright, we rebel, biting even the hand that feeds us. Thinking we have the right to complain about our situation, we act like Israel and forget God. But He never forgets us. Even in our rebellion, He works to draw us home through kind compassion and just punishments. He is a faithful Father who works with His children through love and integrity.

Rebellion is stubbornness. It is saying you are right and must have things done your way. There seems to be no place in the rebellious heart for obedience unless it is profitable to the desired outcome. No amount of lying, deceit, or conniving is beyond the use of the rebellious heart. And when caught, more lies and more deceit are used in an attempt to cover guilt. It is a vicious circle that leads to a hardness of heart; a heart not set aright. And rebellion isn't reserved for teenagers!

But when God enters, when His compassion and love shine, the hardness melts away, and the first part of this long chapter becomes the new reality. People whose hearts are set aright are described this way - they hear the words of God, wisdom proceeds from their mouths, they care for the next generation, teaching them the ways of God and uplifting Him because of "the wonderful works that he hath done" (Vs. 4). (These are the same works, by the way, that produced rebellion in the heart not set aright.)

But the heart set aright declares God's glory to the children and points them to hope - "that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments" (Vs 7).

Hope or destruction are derived by the set of your heart. So today's question is: Where is your heart set? What work is God doing in your life, and how are you responding?

Week Thirty - Treasures in Darkness

Let's look today at Isaiah 45:2-3. It reads, "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."

This was one of the verses I claimed when the dark night of the soul had me in its grip. My depression was almost tangible as I sat in fear wondering: What was going to happen to me? Where would I find release? Where could I place my hope? How long would this last? These unanswerable questions haunted my soul. Only God's Word could reach me, and even then, it often took a huge amount of blind faith to come to any rest.

This was the first place where I began noticing the I Will statements in the Bible. We've talked many times about David's I Wills - I will praise, I will sing, I will trust - but here in Isaiah, the I wills are promises directly from God. He says:

I will go before thee.
I will make crooked places straight.
I will break the gates of brass.
I will cut the bars of iron.
I will give you treasures in darkness.
I will give you hidden riches in secret places.

Treasures in darkness? Hidden riches in secret places? All the darkness I was experiencing held treasure? It seemed hard to believe back then, but today I can attest to the truth of this promise. Had I never experienced the darkness and the secret places, my walk with God would not be as close or as sweet as it is today. The depth of my relationship with God was hollowed out during those dark times. He went with me. He did make crooked places straight, and He did release me from the gates of brass and bars of iron. And He did it in His time - the time when He knew I had come to understand the value of my valley journey.

True riches and treasures are not those that shine openly, but those hidden in the soul: personal fellowship and intimate encounters with the God who knows our name. They are that calm assurance that comes when the soul rests in the Word and confidence built by knowing God is sovereign, loving, and wise. 

God's promises aren't reserved for the treasures that come after the darkness; they are also treasures IN darkness. When God's Word comes alive in your heart, when light shines into your soul, when you see Him at work on your behalf, these, too, are treasures of darkness. They shine, pointing us to continued hope on our journey.

So if you are walking in the shadows, remember there cannot be a shadow without light, and God is that light. He will keep His promises, and in His time, you will know the treasures of darkness, too. So lift your face toward Him, keep going, and trust that He is right beside you.

Week Twenty-Nine - Little Graces

We made it! Our Wednesday flight was delayed by an hour and a half, which meant we did not make the planned overseas flight out of Atlanta. But there were little graces planted throughout the trip. 

Grace One - they check all our bags straight through to Birmingham, UK, no extra charge, so all we had to deal with was our backpacks.

Grace Two - I overheard the attendant reserving a seat for another passenger in a similar situation, so I went up to check on our flight before we boarded and got the same assurance. We would be on the 10:41 flight Wednesday night, and when we got to Atlanta, they would sort the passes. So we boarded feeling assured.

Grace Three - Upon arrival in Atlanta, Tom was met with wheelchair assistance: something Miss Mary had advised due to the original anticipated short layover, but something we thought had been lost because of the changes. This little grace not only meant Tom didn't have to walk so far and so fast.

Grace Four - our little pusher girl knew where to take us to get the boarding passes for the next flight and she took us straight to the gate. 

Grace Five - We were booked to be seated on opposite sides of the plane, so I went to the attendant again, and he moved us to seats together for the long flight. 

Grace Six - Tom was met again in Amsterdam with a wheelchair and then boarded onto an electric trolley (and I rode too), which again took us straight to the gate for our final flight, Grace Seven -which had changed with no warning, but our driver knew. 

Grace Eight - We didn't have that panicked married-couple discussion about where to go or what to do next! We just knew God was taking care of us. 

Grace Nine - a wheelchair took us straight to customs and through immigration with no waiting, and then to the luggage carousel. Tom loved that! We assured the young man that we could take it from here and waited for our luggage, but it did not arrive. So after filling out the forms for lost luggage, we called for our pickup man. 

Grace Ten - We anticipated Bro McHenry arriving to collect us in our car, but he came in his, which would not have held all our luggage. (God knew!) 

We settled back for a nice drive home - he took the scenic route - and we got home about 24 hours after we had begun our journey in Springfield, knowing the grace of God had gone before us. 

Looking for graces in the midst of testing and turmoil is a valuable skill that helps you obey Scripture and keep your heart calm. 

"In everything give thanks" 1 Thessalonians 5:18. I'm thankful for the three extra days with my friend, and thankful for those wheelchairs! 

God's hand was all over last week, and His hand continues to grace us with blessings. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits" Psalm 68:19.

Oh, and the luggage was delivered the next day - Grace Eleven!

Week Twenty-Eight - Stuck

I thought I'd be writing this blog in the air. We were to fly back to the UK on Monday, but our flight was canceled. We thought we would fly on Tuesday but arrived to find another cancellation. Now, I anticipate flying this afternoon. Time will tell. 

Meanwhile, we are stuck in the Ozarks. And that's not a bad thing. It has afforded time to spend with my precious friend, Mary. She is providing room, board, transport, and sweet fellowship while we wait and enjoy the Lord's gift of time together.

I used to grow anxious when life stuck me in uncomfortable or unexpected spots. Like when I felt my little ones would never grow up and I was stuck as a young mother. Or when we were so poor we lived on hot dogs and pot pies. Or when I found myself begging for showers of blessing instead of appreciating each little drop of mercy falling around me. These places felt like they would never go away, like I'd never find release. But I've learned they are only seasons of time, each with its own challenges and lessons, helping me grow less anxious over time.

Are you stuck in a spot today? Does it seem the Lord has every door closed? Is every day dark? Every situation confining? That's not necessarily a bad thing. This is a tiny portion of life, a moment of time designed by God. It has a purpose, and your acceptance or rejection of it reveals your faith and often determines how long you remain stuck.

You can scream and cry, pout and feel sorry for yourself, shout in anger, and raise your fist, but that won't change anything. You are still grounded!

Or, you can look at the mercy drops around you and yield your spirit to the Word - your "times are in God's hand." The ebb and flow of life are in His control, and He "waters every moment." He knows exactly where you are and why. You aren't stuck - you are in a holding pattern.

The children do grow up, and you become a grandmother. You move on from hot dogs to steak, and the showers of blessing are an accumulation of little mercy drops that water your way to joy. So enjoy the stuck spot - it's God's doing. 

Take time to rest and appreciate where you are. Get in and learn the lesson designed for you, and let your faith grow. And when you get unstuck, remember to move forward with thankfulness and joy.

Hopefully, I'll write to you next week from over the pond and share the joy of my little stuck spot.

Week Twenty-Seven - Unmovable

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, it makes a good time to reflect on what made it great in the first place. She consists of a melting pot of people, a mix of cultures, and a variety of political persuasions. This was true from the beginning. 

As the founding fathers debated and scrutinized the guiding documents, they had one main point upon which they agreed: the nation would be built upon faith in God. This standard would be the guiding light for America.

In Psalm 62, David makes a corollary point. "I shall not be moved" (Psalm 62:6). This is a psalm of confidence. With men's vanity on one side and their deceit on the other, David positions himself squarely on God. He only is his rock and defence. With God by his side, David declares he shall not be moved. "Power," he says, "belongeth unto God." So, he places his full trust there.

Our world, just as David's, is full of vanity and deceit. Voices cry out, calling us to one side or the other, yet they sway back and forth like "a bowing wall" or a "tottering fence" (Psalm 62:3). These are not the voices that lead us to stability, nor are they the voices to which we should yield.

In Psalm 60:11 and 108:12, David says, "Vain is the help of men." Therefore, if we desire a stable life, our trust must be fully placed in God alone. He must be our source for all things - wisdom, direction, fulfillment, joy, comfort, assurance, peace, etc. "He only," David says. (Psalm 62:2, 6) Only He is our rock and defense.

If you are looking for anything other than God to meet your need, you are looking in the wrong place. If you are expecting any man or politician to correct the woes of our land or lead us into peace, you are trusting in an uncertain expectation. Only God can do these things. He puts up kings and takes them down. "Vain is the help of men," but "with God all things are possible."

Look again at these truths that made David unmovable. God only was his rock, defence, and salvation. All power belongs to God. And, as David closes the psalm, "Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for thou renderest to every man according to his work" (Psalm 62:12).

When we take hold of absolute truth in God's sovereignty and power and make ourselves accountable to it, we, too, will remain unmovable. This must be the standard and guiding light of our individual lives as well as of our country.

So as you celebrate this weekend, focus your thanksgiving, praise, and joy on God—the God in whom we trust—and pray that we remain unmovable in our faith.

Week Twenty-Six - Overwhelmed

Sometimes life seems like too much, doesn't it? If you are a young mother, you know the constant demands of parenting that drive you to exhaustion. If you are experiencing health issues, you know fear and doubt as you go from appointment to appointment and prognosis to prognosis with no end in sight. If you are facing financial strain, you know how it feels to receive yet another bill or unexpected expense that threatens to drive you to bankruptcy. There are so many things in life that overwhelm us.

In Psalm 61, David writes about his heart being overwhelmed. I think we'd all probably feel the same if we had spent years running and hiding from an enemy trying to kill us, trusted friends turning against us, and our children betraying us. His feeling of overwhelm was justified, but he didn't stay there. He says, "When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

He knew he had another resource - the same resource available to us, the rock, shelter, and strong tower that takes our overwhelm and replaces it with quietness and rest.

David's reaction bears notice. When he is overwhelmed, he looks for help outside himself, help that is higher. He doesn't go into recluse mode, anger, fear, or a deep depression. He looks up for spiritual strength that only comes by a closer walk with God - the Rock.

We see David making three more choices. He says, "I will abide, I will trust, and I will sing praise" (vv. 4, 8). He makes a conscious choice not to dwell long on the overwhelming situation but to shift his thoughts and responses toward God's ability, adjusting his own reaction. This positions him for hope.

He chooses:

To abide - he focuses his thoughts and judges his steps, making sure he is obedient to God’s Word.
To trust -  he looks beyond the circumstance to a God who is fully able to conquer every circumstance.
To sing - he allows his heart and soul to sing and worship the Rock that is higher, to lift his voice up to God.

And then he says, "that I may daily perform my vows" (v. 8). He makes a conscious decision to continue his daily tasks and remain faithful to his life's calling. He isn't pulling himself up by his bootstraps but choosing to move forward; all the while trusting, abiding, and singing praise as he leans on the higher Rock. His circumstances may not have changed, but his attitude and focus have. His overwhelm subsides as he places his thoughts and understanding on higher things. 

So today, if overwhelm nips at your heels or even if you are deep in its throes, look up. God is above all these things. He sees you. Put your thoughts and "I wills" solely upon Him and let your heart sing. Then, pick up your task and keep going. God hears you and sees your need. His strength is available - tap into it.

Week Twenty-Five - No, Not One

 

"No, not one," God's Word says. Not one does good. Not one accepts the fact that God is always watching, so they act in evil and corrupt ways. Not one seeks Him or even considers Him in decisions or actions. Therefore, God is against them. That is the bleak message of Psalm 53.

As I joined the Lord for my devotions, I wasn't expecting such a harsh psalm. I was looking for comfort after receiving troubling news the previous evening. The enemy is attacking my grandchildren, tempting them to follow the world and accept ungodly ways. I watch my children trying to wisely navigate parenting in a world that screams against God and lives like Psalm 53. 

All around us, and ever more evident every day, are people whose eyes are blinded, and hearts are hardened to truth and the ways of God. They cannot see Him, so they live without Him and mock those who stand for righteousness. The book of Romans reveals that the knowledge of impending judgment is in their heart, but they ignore it and "not only do the same (live and act in evil) but have pleasure in them that do them." They love to sin and drag others along. God's Word tells us they are under condemnation and that not one will escape God.

Such is the world in which we live. So, what are we to do? What should be our response? As I prayed for my grandchildren's protection and for truth to reign in their hearts, God gave me three things to do.

1) Do not join in their ways. As children of God, we are to live differently - not oddly, but with a purity and consideration that honors God as we walk in light and exhibit His love to those who ignore Him. Their ways should not be our ways.

2) Pray for the light of God's Word to open their eyes and soften their hearts. Who else will pray for them unless God's children do? Jesus had compassion on them; how could we do less? 

3) Stand as a beacon and ambassador ready to rescue those who come to Him. Jude 23 says, "others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." How can they be saved unless we are willing to put forth a hand to receive them? These are those for whom Christ died; it is our job to be His witness and point them to Him. We can't do that if our light is hidden, our hearts are cold against them, and the door is closed.

So as I pray for God's protection and direction over my grandchildren, I will also pray that those living around them see Christ and come to Him.

He is "not willing that any (no, not one) should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). 

Week Twenty-Four - Hold Yourself Accountable

Citizenship, along with the responsibility and accountability it holds, is a rare yet valuable commodity these days. We say that we expect moral and honest leadership from those to whom we entrust our government, but sadly, these qualities seem to be missing in so many. 

We should not be too quick to condemn politicians when we ourselves often fail in the same qualities. We speed, fudge on our taxes, litter, gossip, and think no one should say anything to us about it. But good citizenship requires us to hold ourselves accountable for how we live, how we respect the laws of the land, and how we treat other people.

Citizenship, as defined by Google, "is the legal relationship between an individual and a state, granting the person specific rights, such as voting and legal protection, in exchange for duties, like obeying laws and paying taxes.  It also refers to membership and active participation in any community."

I see citizenship as a privilege. It means I have an invested interest in my community, a voice, and a part in what happens to the whole.

As I was reading Psalm 50, I noticed a stark description of citizenship gone awry and leadership that did not hold itself accountable. From verses 16-22, God's Word describes it this way: they hate and ignore God's Word and instruction. They allow theft and adultery to go unpunished, even taking part in it. Their mouths are full of evil and deceit. They sit and speak against other citizens, even slandering each other. Then, God warns them that He sees and hears their deeds, and they will not go unpunished.

Good citizenship means we, too, address such issues because the leadership we put in place reflects who we are as a people. What a sad state of affairs when we devalue our citizenship by not participating in voting and maintaining the laws of our land. But I'm not trying to make a political statement. I'm trying to call us to individual accountability, for that is what will make the difference.

God closes this psalm with exactly the same call for accountability when He says, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God."

We are to order our conversation. It isn't simply our words, but every area of our lives. We are to live by order - the order of God's Word. And to do so "aright" means we hold ourselves accountable for our words and actions. We aren't two-faced or hypocritical. We don't speak evil or slander others. We don't have secret sins. We don't ignore God's Word, but rather, we use it to judge ourselves and keep our lives clean and acceptable before God and man.

When every citizen does his or her part in living aright, things around us will shape up. We may hold different political views, but we can all live under God's law - "for against such there is no law." And what does God's law require of a citizen? Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance are a few things. (Galatians 5:22-23) And Micah 6:8 gives this instruction, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."

These are some of the qualities of good citizenship, and they are things to which we must hold ourselves accountable. Let's rise to the challenge!

Week Twenty-Three - The Reflective Pool

I've been marveling at the recent renovations in Washington, D.C. I didn't even know some of these monuments existed because I've only been there a couple of times in my life. It is so refreshing to see them renovated and brought back to life.

I was reading about the Reflection Pool, which is nearly completed. The workers were explaining that the darker the base, the more reflection it will cast and the more defined the image will be. We should be able to see not only the two monuments at each end, but also the clouds and birds in the sky above. It all makes me want to visit D.C. again and just do a monument tour.

Psalm 19 reminds us that creation reflects God's strength and proves His presence. There is no where it cannot be seen, and His law is perfect through and through, providing reward and benefit for all who will hear and apply what they read. These truths brought David to self-reflection and earnest prayer.

The truth of God's greatness and presence, and the infallibility of His precious Word, ought to cause us reflection as well. We stand before a perfect and awesome God whose truth is deeply based in His rich and penetrating character. We, however, are far from perfection and awesomeness. 

David's take, and ours, needs to be one of humility and submission. We ought to make the same plea, "Lord, cleanse me, free me, and 'let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight.'"

How precious it would be to stand at that Reflection Pool in Washington and think about how God has guided our country in the past? To pray over our country's future? And take time for personal reflection as well? Are the words of our mouth acceptable in God's sight? Are the thoughts and meditations of our hearts reflective of His character?

As we move toward the celebration of our country's 250th anniversary, let's reflect on who we are individually and let the beauty of God's creation and character be seen through our words and lives.

Week Twenty Two - Fly, Dream, and Live

Recently, three of our grandchildren graduated from High School, and one from College. That means all but four of our 16 grandchildren have now graduated and entered young adulthood, entering a different phase and seeking to discover their life's path.

I remember my children being at this age. Not one of them wound up on the path they initially thought life would take them, but God has guided them all the way. He is a great parent, you know. He takes better care of my children than I could have ever done.

Still, when I am with them for an extended time, I find myself falling into whatever is happening in their lives. Not that any of them lead chaotic lives, but each one has their own set of challenges and consequences based on their life choices, which is true for all of us, isn't it?

We make choices, life happens, and we wind up with situations and circumstances that naturally arise from those choices. Nothing can change that; it is just the law of sowing and reaping.

Anyway, because I avoid and dislike conflict, chaos, and imperfection, difficult life situations unnerve me.

I was deep into thought about this when the Lord spoke up, saying, "Their problems and challenges are not your problems and challenges. They are only prayer points for you, nothing more. I oversee their lives. Leave the adult parenting to me.

When I stick my nose in where I am not invited, point out things I see, or try to fix them, I am not trusting the Lord. I'm making things harder for them. I am upsetting myself to the point that I might impulsively say or do something that could hurt them.

Trusting the Lord means I bring those concerns to Him alone while I portray love, assurance, and faith. Shining a light is better than provoking them to wrath. When I cast doubt or worry, I only make their way darker and more difficult. I don't want to do that.

They are succeeding in their lives. Am I succeeding in mine? That is the better question. Judge myself first - right?

When I was their age, I faced challenges and choices, too. This is the part of the adult process that fosters faith and wisdom. So, let them grow. Let them face consequences and work through life's challenges with the Lord. He will direct them because their heavenly Father is that sort of faithful parent. I can hold them up in prayer and watch Him work.

With these thoughts in mind, and the voice of the Lord in my head, we arrived home after a long drive from Atlanta to Missouri.

The Lord has provided us with a lovely lodge out on the family farm for us to use while we are stateside. It belongs to my cousin and was just completed last year. He and his wife come through doing a bit more with each visit. This time, while we were away, they hung some pictures in the living area.

Well, as the Lord would have it, one was a quote from Mother Teresa that amplified the discussion I had been having with the Lord.  She said,

You will teach them to fly, but they will not fly your flight.

You will teach them to dream, but they will not dream your dreams.

You will teach them to live, but they will not live your life.

Nevertheless, in every flight, in ever live, in every dream,
the print of the way you taught them will remain.

How true! My life is not their life. My children and grandchildren are only a portion of my life, a place where I invest all I can to give them the ability and freedom to fly, dream, and live. My prayers for them will last through generations, and my prayers and influence are an indelible part of their lives.

This truth brought calmness, confidence, and joy to my heart. With all the challenges my children have faced and are facing, they are flying, dreaming, and living their lives. I see God's hand in each of them. What more could I ask?

And He will do the same for my grandchildren as they learn to fly, dream, and live because He is the faithful parent. He remains beside them. He will answer this grandmother's prayers.

Week Twenty-One - Wrong Way

Tom and I have been traveling a lot lately and have been reminded to use caution when we drive because we are no longer on the English proper side of the road; we are on the American right side!

That makes turning corners challenging, and I have noticed the Wrong Way sign on the interstate many times. Thankfully, we haven't turned down that way!

Psalm 36 was my reading today, and it came with a huge Wrong Way sign. Verse four reads, "He setteth himself in a way that is not good."

David has been describing the man who chooses to go his own way. This man (or woman) ignores God. They flatter themselves, thinking they know best, and hate begins filling their hearts. Then, what is in the heart comes out of the mouth, and all wisdom fails. They find themselves thinking about how they can get even, how they can give someone a piece of their mind, or make a point, not for good or to resolve a problem, but to hurt the other person as they have been hurt. They grow full of pride and attack anyone who tries to point them back to the way of God. They have set themselves on a way that is not good. 

And there they sit, stewing in their hate and regret, but too proud to kneel and ask forgiveness of God, seek resolution, or admit their own sin and wrongdoing.

Until they turn around, they are driving their lives the wrong way, and a collision is bound to happen.

The right way is also described in the psalm. It is full of God's great mercy, abundant provision, light, and lovingkindness.

Here is the interesting thing. We all travel the path of life together, and we see how each of us manages our lives. The choices we make determine the outcome. God says there are two paths to follow: the broad way or the narrow way. The paths are also described as light and darkness, as evil or good, and as truth or deceit. One leads to joy and life, the other to hatred and death. We know which path we are on by the fruit of our lives.

Sadly, those going the wrong way hate those going the right way. Maybe they are envious or confused about how to direct their lives. Maybe their hurts and life choices keep them prideful and unable to change their path. Or maybe no one has shared the light of the gospel with them.

Oh, let that not ever be said. When you meet someone whose life is set in a way that is not good, take time to lovingly speak truth to them. Don't let them ever say no one cared enough to speak up. 

David's closing prayer was, "Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me” (vs 11). Stay on the right path! Yet, reach out in love and concern for those going the wrong way.

Week Twenty - Chariot Prayers

Psalm 20 is a song that takes the form of a prayer for God to answer and deliver in times of trouble. Filled with hope and assurance, in full reliance on God, the psalmist uses positive words like send, remember, accept, grant, and fulfill as he prays to God. Notice that the prayer has not yet been answered. There appears to still be a problem, but the emphasis of the prayer is on anticipating the answer.

Verse 2, send help and give strength.
Verse 3, remember and accept my worship.
Verse 4, grant and fulfill my requests.

These three verses give us a basic outline. Tell God what you need, keep praising and worshiping, and leave the answer to Him.

Words like rejoice, save, rise, and stand reveal the psalmist's heart. Though his prayer remains unanswered, his chosen outlook is one of rejoicing, faith, and anticipated victory.

Verse 5, we will rejoice, fly our banner, and watch God fulfill our petitions.
Verse 6, the Lord saves by His saving strength alone.
Verse 8, we are risen, and stand upright.

All these words show his expectation because he has remembered the name of the Lord and placed his petitions before Him.

These are prayers of faith.

Chariot prayers are different. 

Chariot prayers seek solutions rather than looking to God and give God instructions instead of seeking His hand. They are not requests but demands coming from a heart desiring control or perceived power. Sometimes we are guilty of praying as if everything is hopeless, like God doesn't hear or see, much less remember, grant, or fulfill. We get bogged down in the problem and forget the strength of God's hand.

When we pray like that, we are placing our trust in chariots of our own figuring or in the expectation that our problems will be solved by ourselves or by man, that if we pray hard enough or long enough, we will find a way through.

Chariot prayers are bound to fail, but when we remember God, He will fulfill all our petitions (verse 5), and we will rise and stand (verse 8), for only God can save. These are prayers of faith.

So, consider, are your prayers hitched to a chariot or to the name of the Lord our God? (verse 7)

Week Nineteen - Hold Your Tongue

Psalm 17:3 holds this phrase, "I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress." This is a goal David set for himself. Recognizing that God is busy proving him, visiting him in the night, and trying him, he knows what is in his heart will pour out of his mouth, so he sets a guard, a purpose that no sinful word will escape.

To not allow sinful things to rise in our language, we must be purposeful in keeping our hearts clean by allowing the Lord to do with us just as He did with David, to prove, visit, and try us. This is not a process we relish.

To prove us, God places us in situations where our integrity is challenged and our weaknesses exposed. Oh, how uncomfortable this feels. We are faced with a choice: tell the truth or lie, cheat or be honest, give or withhold. All of these little challenges add up and affect our hearts. When we fail, we feel the Holy Spirit's conviction. Often, we choke back His conviction and move on, but what we fail to recognize is that this indiscretion has planted a seed in our hearts. It has proven our lack of integrity.

For God to visit us in the night is to hear His still, small voice calling us to prayer, speaking words of wisdom to our confused hearts, pointing us in His direction in decisions, and calling us to trust Him more fully. When God visits us in the night, there are few distractions. We hear His voice more clearly, and sometimes we may even argue with Him. The better question is, are we listening? Do we notice Him visiting us in the night? Are we practicing what He is teaching?

And when God tries us, He places difficulties before us that challenge and increase our faith. Each trial contains a lesson that reveals more of His character and deepens our relationship if we pay attention and yield by faith.

With all this activity, God is working on our hearts, cleansing, strengthening, and preparing them for our future.

David's words teach us one more truth: we must live with purpose. Our hearts are fickle and tainted, often damaged by what we experience, the thoughts we entertain, and what we hear and see, so we must purposefully choose to control what goes in and what comes out.

"I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress."

How could my mouth transgress?

I can speak too quickly about things that ignite an emotional response.
I can speak too much about things I don't know enough about.
I can speak with pride about what I do understand.
I can speak harshly when my patience runs thin.
I can speak from a heart of jealousy and envy.
I can speak from anger.
I can judge and slay others with hurtful words.

Our mouth is a powerful weapon, injurious, and deceitful, and it reveals what is in our hearts.
How much better for us to purposely hold our tongue than to loose it like an unruly sword.

Week Eighteen - Weights, Wants, and Woes

This past week, we were in a Mission Conference in northern Illinois. The gracious lady we stayed with invited us to join her for morning devotions.

As she read the devotional, three words popped out at me - weights, wants, and woes. The writer, Tim Green, was focusing on Colossians 3:10 and the benefits of the new man, saying, "Spiritually, when an individual new-born Christian is directed or informed that they have become a new creature in Christ Jesus and the weights, wants, and woes of the past have or are dissipating and disappearing, one recognizes the 'new man' they have become."

How many of us fail to understand the change and power available to us as new creatures in Christ? No longer can the weights, wants, and woes of this life have dominion over us unless we allow them. I found myself meditating on this fact for the rest of the day. 

And even singing, "Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be weary and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion, my constant friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

Then, as the Lord often does, He brought me face-to-face with Scripture, deepening my thoughts and understanding.

I was reading Psalm 13. This short chapter is full of woe for the first four verses, then full of renewed hope for the final two. Where the Psalmist initially cries out, posing questions and calling out to God in despair, his resolve returns to truth in the considered actions of 'I will' and 'I shall'.

Psalm 13:5-6a reads, "But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord."

How important it is for us to recognize that though the weights, wants, and woes of life try to trample us down, we can return in full faith to a God who sees and hears; a God who lifts us up.

How can we stay down, when He is so near?

Trust, rejoicing, and singing are David's remedies for his woeful questions. And, he closes with a beautiful answer of why, "because He hath dealt bountifully with me" ( vs 6).

So today, if life feels heavy, if the weights, wants, and woes of this world have you bogged down, grab hold of the I will and I shall and choose to trust, rejoice, and sing. Count those blessings and you will no doubt find that God has also dealt bountifully with you, and no weight, want, or woe can outstrip His grace and love.

Week Seventeen - He's Just a Man

This year, I'm doing something different for my Bible reading and devotional time. I'm reading one chapter each morning, creating a short synopsis, and then a short meditation. My goal is to do the entire Bible and then publish it in sections. We will see how that works out. But in the meantime, I'm really enjoying taking time to read only one chapter and think it through instead of trying to read five full chapters each day. Slowing down means I'm gaining more.

Today, I was in Psalm 9. It starts out with two words sprinkled throughout the Psalm, I will.  I will praise thee. I will be glad and rejoice. I will sing praise, and I will rejoice in thy salvation. The I wills of Scripture indicate a concerted choice to focus on God rather than on the problems around. I have found this to be such a good practice for faith and mental health. It is a great way to obey the Lord and take every thought captive.

When trouble comes knocking, I can open the door to fret and fear, or I can choose to praise. And even if trouble enters the room, songs of faith can rise from my heart as I wait upon the Lord and listen carefully for His instruction. I don't have to succumb to pits of despair when praise can lift my heart!

The Psalm continues with a discussion of enemies: how God has rebuked and destroyed them, removing their name forever and ever. It reads like David is speaking directly to his enemies, telling them of their doom and God's greatness. He also seems to be speaking directly to God: how God has not forsaken those who seek Him, does not forget the cry of the humble, and will execute judgment on those who oppose His children.

I liked David's final summations. Verse 17 reads, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." Verse 20, "Put them in fear, O Lord; that the nations may know themselves to be but men."

How apt this Psalm is for today. Fear tends to rise in our hearts with the thought of war and enemies. Fear due to anticipated attacks, not knowing what will happen, and sometimes, a lack of faith. 

There is no Bible promise that war will not come, but there is the promise of God's intervention and protection for those who trust Him. He is our shield and buckler. He is the God of victory. War is but a tool in His hand. We need to fear, but trust. Psalm 9:10 says, "And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee." 

We can't put our trust in politicians or nations. We can't trust our emotions and fears. All of these things are volatile. Only God is consistent and purposeful in fulfilling His will, and that is where we must place our trust. In Him - Him alone, no matter what the future holds.

The enemy, David says, is just a man, subject to God, though he refuses to recognize God. He will stand before God for judgment, as will we. 

So let's choose praise to arise by faith in our hearts and through our lips. Praise lifts God high, gives us strength and increased faith, and is a witness of God's greatness that the old enemy cannot stand to be around. 

We have much to rejoice over, so choose praise. God is stronger than our enemy.

Psalm 10:1-2, "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.  And verse 14, That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation."

I will. Will you?

Week Sixteen - Perplexed

Esther 3:15 reads, "the city Shushan was perplexed." Haman has just convinced the king to send out an order (the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be rescinded) for the annihilation of all Jews. There had been no Jewish uprising against the king. The Jews were assimilated into Persian society, and the only thorn in the flesh was Haman's hatred toward Mordecai, who would not bow to him.

Haman's need for vengeance went far beyond a personal conflict, and his action left the city bewildered as to why this was happening.

Pride and vengeance produce evil; evil that loses all sense of reality and common sense. It reaches out without regard for who is in the crosshairs, concerned only with nailing its point to the wall and eliminating anything or anyone that restricts or inhibits its continued pride and evil desires.

Taking time to judge our motives, especially when it comes to pride, is important. And God knows we need to take stock. James 3:13-18 is a great place to start. 

The passage could be paraphrased as such.  

So you think you are right? You think you are wise? Then show your wisdom by how you live. If you have bitterness, jealousy, and anger in your heart, you need to recognize that this is not from God. It is earthly, self-motivated, and influenced by the enemy. You'll know it is wrong because it produces confusion and evil. But wisdom from God is entirely different. It is pure, peaceful, gentle, welcoming, merciful, and is shown in good works. It creates peace.

When we focus on revenge or getting our way, we are not using Godly wisdom. We are not producing peace. And when we act in irrational ways, we confuse or perplex those around us. 

You see, we are often good at hiding our true motives. But God sees right through us. God saw right through Haman, and his attempt at annihilation backfired big time. That law of sowing and reaping is eternal and consistent in every era.

So today, before you strike out in vengeance, take time to think about your motives. Are they earthly? Are they self-motivated, self-serving, or self-promoting? Are they spurred on by evil intentions and thoughts? The result reveals the motivation. Bad wisdom produces confusion and leaves our family and friends perplexed. Good wisdom produces peace.

What are you producing?

On a Side Note: We may be feeling perplexed by our current world situation, wondering what is happening, why, and what the outcome will be. But let's remember Esther's instruction - fast and pray. There is a God in heaven, and He is not perplexed. He knows exactly every moment of man, the intent of the heart, and how He uses men to accomplish His will. God showed Himself able to save in the Persian Empire during the time of Esther. He is no less able to save in our time. Don't let perplexity become your normal state. Let it be one of faith and courage in the face of evil. You can trust the Lord!

Week Fifteen - Praying for Results

Today, I completed my reading of Job. In this final chapter, Job humbly responds to God's claim of supremacy. With an utterly broken heart, he recognizes God's authority and wisdom, saying, "I know that thou cast do everything and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (vs. 2), "Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (vs 6). 

Then, his so-called friends become the focus of God's attention. They had attacked Job's integrity and painted God as merciless. Now, God requires their repentance and a burnt offering. To make His point further, He also requires a prayer from Job. This is the only thing God will accept, saying, "ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job" (vs 8).

Vindication is there for Job. Not that he was seeking it, but God gave it anyway. Job's trial is over. 

As I meditated on the situation, prayer took on a more pointed light. Only when we place ourselves humbly under God's authority and mercy can we ever expect an answer to prayer, and only then are we positioned to pray for others. Three things came to my attention.

1. We must pray with humility, not pride. We are not better than each other. Whether we are praying for a friend or a foe, we must remember that we have equal access, equal value, and equal accountability before the Lord. We are all on level ground. Pride tells us, as it did Job's friends, that our opinion is best, that our evaluation of the situation holds sway, and that we should be heard. But when we pray with humility, our words are fewer, and our hearts humbly weep as we recognize our own humanity.

2. We must pray, asking for God's will, not trying to tell Him what to do. Oh, how good we are at telling God what we think should be done, how we expect Him to answer, and what outcome will be to our benefit. Our prayers sound like commands and instructions instead of requests. God doesn't need our opinion. He works all things according to the purpose of His own will, not ours. And how thankful we should be for that truth, because if everything were done according to our will, things would be in a huge mess!

3. Prayer done in humble obedience opens the windows of heaven. Verse 10 reads, "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." Job's obedience was key to the release of his trial. Job didn't seek vengeance; he humbly prayed that God would accept the sacrifice of his friends and grant them forgiveness. He had no ulterior motive. Note: he prayed in obedience before he received the blessing. Isn't that further food for thought?

If you are expecting results from prayer, consider these three things, and then ask yourself these questions.

Am I praying from pride, looking for vindication or elevation? Do I pray humbly and with a heart of repentance? Can I rest in God's will and not demand my own? Do I pray a list of instructions to God? Am I expecting Him to answer according to my desires? Do my prayers qualify as obedient? Does God answer my prayers with blessings? Am I thankful and obedient before I receive the answer to my prayer, or discontent, whiny, and complaining? Do I pray in faith and leave the rest to God?

When we are praying for results, these thoughts matter.

Week Fourteen - Quietness and Trouble

Job 34:29 reads, "When he giveth quietness, who can make trouble?" These words are part of Elihu's lengthy speech to Job. 

Feeling very sure of himself, Elihu accuses Job of sin and rebellion against God. Surely, he affirms, God is just, and Job is wrong. He believes Job's pity party proves that he walks with men of iniquity (vs 7-8), and that Job believes following God is a waste of time (vs 9). "Listen to me," he says in verse 10. Notice that Job does not respond. Maybe he is resting in verse 29?

Scorners, scoffers, and accusers abound, spouting out their poisonous opinions, but we, like Job, are most usually wisest to let their windy words blow and rest ourselves in the peace that passes understanding.

Tom was preaching on Sunday about the two thieves hanging on crosses either side of Jesus. The one rails on our Lord, scoffing and accusing Christ of being false. Notice that Jesus, like Job, does not respond. This man's words condemn him. His actions toward the only One who could rescue him prove his unbelief. How sad that those who need a Saviour are the ones most vocal in rejecting Him.

But verse 29 held this thought for me: when God gives peace about a situation or decision, no amount of trouble or challenge can dislodge it.

In my journal, I recorded this - "God, even during a trial, has an amazing ability to bring peace and confidence when we cast our cares upon Him. Trouble cannot move us when we are resting in Him."

Have you found this true? I know I have. I've faced some heartbreaking and desperate situations with a peace that carried me through without emotional collapse. It isn't because I am strong. It is because He is, and He gives me His strength and quietness in the face of trouble.

Our world is in turmoil, but we can have quietness. Our life's situations may stretch and strain us, but when we rest ourselves in the Lord, He gives sufficient grace to walk the path before us.

So today, don't let the windy words of scoffers dislodge your emotions. Don't let trouble get the upper hand. Seek God's peace and let yourself rest in the peace that passes understanding. "When he giveth quietness, who can make trouble?"

Week Thirteen - A Tale that is Told

This past weekend, I had the blessed privilege of attending the Celebration of Life for my brother-in-law, John Gritts. John passed in October 2026. He had lived a full life that included being a precious and respected part of our family, a personal life-mission to help others, raising funds for American Indian education, and being a well-noted artist in his world. 

When you met him, his demeanour struck you immediately. You knew you were standing in the presence of someone of stature, not only because he was tall, but because his gentleness and wisdom poured through his words and actions. To me, he was the statesman of the family, someone you paid attention to, someone you knew had a special calling.

The Denver Art Museum was made available for the event, and as we sat listening to speakers who knew John across the various elements of his life and watched short videos, it was even more apparent how his life had been used to influence and bless others. As a family, we were privileged.

It reminded me that we are all influencing others. What difference are we making? Are we challenging others to growth and faith? Are we being a living example of kindness and care? Does gentleness and wisdom pour through our lives? Are we statesmen? Are we using our gifts and calling for the purpose of benefiting others?  

Someday, it will be our turn to lie silently while others talk about our lives. What will they say? How will they say it? The Bible says we spend our days as a tale that is told; let's make sure our celebration of life includes a good testimony. Let's leave behind a story of faith.

Week Twelve - Shall, shall, shall

I love it when God's Word jumps off the page and meets the concerns of my heart. The other day, I woke fearful about war. I hate conflict of any kind because, as I wrote in my journal, "It unnerves me and causes my whole body to react."

I finished my journal entry by writing, "So I am speaking to myself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, trying to focus on God, who is with me wherever I go and has already overcome. Jesus says, 'Be of good cheer.' I must choose to obey and leave Him with the rest. This old world is coming to an end, and it will go out in war, not peace. I need not fear God's plan but rest in His promises and the purpose of His will. Eternity awaits where there is no conflict."

I prayed a bit and laid aside my journal to do my chapter-a-day Bible reading. Today was Job 26, fourteen little verses. Job is answering Bildad, who had, in the previous little chapter of only six verses, painted a picture of man's hopelessness.

Job's answer comes back to two thoughts. First, he questions his friends - "How are you helping me?"  They haven't.

And then, he turns his words toward God's might. God hangs the earth on nothing, filling the clouds with water, controls the tide, and divides the sea, he says, and these are only a part of His ways.

And that's when God's Word grabbed me."These are parts of his ways." I only see a little part of His ways. If He can do all these things, what in this world limits Him? Nothing.

Nothing is too hard for Him. Nothing is outside His power or wisdom. No man's pride can overcome God. No weapon fashioned against Him will stand. And when we try to comprehend His greatness and all-encompassing wisdom and control, we fail miserably. For truly, what little we are capable of understanding is, as Job says, only part of His ways.

Isaiah 55:8-9 came to my mind. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith 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!"

My fear faded into faith, and then it turned to hope as I read on in Isaiah 55 to verse 11. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

God's purpose will be fulfilled, and even there, we only know a part of it.

But the promise of verse twelve set me up for a much better day. "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you in singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Shall, shall, shall. That is a word of promise. Do you see it sprinkled through all the verses the Lord sent me? And even with these promises, this is only a part of His ways. He knows how to bless and comfort, for He is the Comforter. I'm so thankful I know that part.

So today, if you are feeling fearful or worried, take time to consider how little you know compared to how much He does. We only know a part of His plan, and we only understand a part of how things will work out. But we need to fear, for He knows it all exactly. He isn't afraid of conflict. These are only a part of His ways.

Let's follow Jesus' instruction in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  

Week Eleven - Unashamed

Job has been judged, badgered, and ridiculed by his so-called friends. Though they came to give comfort and support him during his grief, no words of comfort were spoken. Their continual accusations wore Job down. Looking around, he notices that everyone has abandoned him. The community whispers behind his back, and even his servant ignores his pleas. His summation is that even God has overthrown him (19:6), and he is counted as an enemy of God (19:11). No amount of talk or reasoning can alter his circumstance. He is a broken man sitting in the dust, enduring harsh words and ridicule.

Amazingly, he summons up a prayer. "Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! (19:23-24). You read Job's words today because God answered that prayer. For literally generations, Christians have drawn hope and learning from Job's grueling experience.

But after his prayer, Job brightens, again expressing his integrity and faith. "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God (19:25-26).

In the midst of great trial, misunderstanding, abandonment, and heartache, Job's words refresh our souls. There is hope beyond grief. There is something to look forward to. Oh, that our words were resplendent with Job's same hope. Our Redeemer lives, and one day, we will stand before him.

The trial of our faith is temporary. The heartaches of this life do not last for eternity. They are but tools used by God to create for us a "more eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Like Job, we must look beyond today to our Saviour and the promise of eternal life full of peace and joy. John's prayer in 1 John 2:28 is that "we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."  This needs to be the focus of our prayer; that we may stand unashamed and ready to meet our Lord.

I'm sure Job stood unashamed before God. Will we?

Week Ten - The Day of Weakness

The continual conversation between Job and his friends is challenging me to think about how I speak to people in the middle of trials and what it looks like to endure a deep trial. 

Today, I read chapter 16, where Job replies to Eliphaz. In the last chapter, Eliphaz put out a scathing and curt accusation - surely Job has sinned, and he is trying to cover it up, he says.

Job's reply to Eliphaz's harshness is a reprimand, saying he would never speak to his friends the way they have spoken to him if the roles were reversed. 

Job 16:4-5, "I also could speak as ye do; if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you, but I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief."

Do our words strengthen our friends during trials? Or do we shake our heads at them and cast questions as to why they are in such a trial? To shake the head signifies scorn, mockery, or disgust at someone suffering in misery or weakness.  In Matthew 27:39, we read, "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads." This is the reaction of those around the cross toward our Lord. I don't want to be numbered in that crowd. Do you? So it calls me to mercy and appropriate language when I am speaking to someone enduring a trial.

Job goes on to say how his friends' words make him feel. They made him feel weary and alone. Then, in verse eight, he says, "thou hast filled me with wrinkles." That is such an apt description of how harsh and unmerciful words affect the soul. They shrivel. They cut into the skin. They cause wrinkles.

But Job turns away from his friends and casts himself upon the Lord because he believes this trial is the hand of God at work, and that he is innocent of sin. His soul does not condemn him. Verse 17, "not for any injustice in mine hands; also my prayer is pure."

When we come to trials, one of the first things we should do is judge whether it has come as a result of our sin. Is our Father chastising us? Is He trying to correct us or redirect our path? Are we reaping what we have sown? Being honest with God and repenting of our sins is first.

Then, if our hearts do not condemn us, if we know of no known sin, we can sit with Job in full faith.

Casting ourselves upon God, praying through tears, and waiting upon the Lord to answer are acts of faith. It is not a weakness to yield all to the Lord. If we believe our times are in His hands, which they truly are, and that He is sovereign, which He truly is, faith is our wisest stance and action.

Faith doesn't always look powerful. It doesn't always come donned in armor. Sometimes it looks like tears and weakness. Sometimes it is quiet and broken. Sometimes it's a matter of waiting.

Psalm 27:13-14, "I had fainted (I would have given up in grief), unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord."

So, if you are in a day of weakness, if you are in the grief of a heavy trial, cast yourself upon Him. Pray, even through your tears, and wait on the Lord. He will keep His promise to bring strength to your trusting soul. Maintain your faith during the day of weakness.

Week Eight - Where is Comfort?

Probably the most heart-wrenching scene in the Bible is Job, with all his livestock and children dead, a non-supportive wife, and judgmental friends, he finds himself sitting in ashes and dust, while his body is covered with running sores.

Three friends gathered to mourn with him and be a comfort (Job 2:11). For the first several days, as they all sat in grief, not a word was spoken.

Sometimes, life brings trials that require silence. They take us by surprise, stopping us dead in our tracks, pausing to take it all in. Grief is not a lack of faith. It is a process of coming to terms with what has happened so we can find a measured and healthy response. Sometimes, we need to sit silently in the dust of our trial and wait to hear from God.

Is comfort found in silence? Yes, briefly. But we cannot remain there.

Words begin to flow as Job's human response pours out. He wishes to die, to run away from the trial, to find the answer to "why." He is face-to-face with his worst fear, and where is comfort?

Is comfort found in questioning? No.

Is comfort found in the counsel or words of others? No.

As his first friend, Eliaphaz begins to speak, and the conversation's downward spiral begins. Job says his grief is as heavy as sand, but the words of Eliaphaz are like water that runs away or snow that melts. They hold no comfort, only condemnation.

As I read Job's story, I am challenged to think about how I respond to friends in grief. Are my words so thin they melt away? Am I forceful, argumentative, or judgmental when I try to encourage? Words often fail as we try to comfort others. Why? Because we are not the comforter - He is.

In John 14:16-17, Jesus says, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

In Him, we have an ever-abiding comfort; a Comforter with a purpose. 

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Our Comforter teaches us truth and helps us remember God's promises. He is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). His comfort isn't based on man's words. It is founded in His Spirit speaking peace and hope through God's Word to our souls; His Spirit who calms our fears.

In John 16:33, Jesus speaks these words of comfort. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Rarely will we find genuine comfort in this world. Oh, a good cup of tea, a gentle breeze, some beautiful music, warm sunshine, and even the beauty of the snow may temporarily speak peace to our hearts. But abiding comfort only comes by abiding in Christ. The settling of our tumultuous hearts is found in His truth. He has overcome the world, and by faith, we are overcomers with Him. This is genuine comfort.

Week Seven - Others First

The final chapter of the book of Esther is only three verses long, but it reveals a great truth. The Jews have been rescued from annihilation by the faithful acts of Esther and Mordecai, who has been promoted to Prime Minister by King Ahasuerus. And the Bible says Mordecai continued, "seeking the wealth of his people and speaking peace to all his seed."

This was Mordecai's character throughout the story. Just as we saw Esther's character was one of faithful obedience, Mordecai's was one of care for others. He cared for little Esther when she had no parents. He watched carefully over her while she was in the palace. He protected the king from assassination. He advised Esther when she was queen. He stood against evil to protect his people. And why did he do this?

Was it because he had his eye on the throne? Hardly. Was it because these were the easiest choices? No. Was it because he knew there would be a great reward in the end? I doubt it. Mordecai was a man of integrity. He believed doing right and standing for right held its own reward. Esther's success was his success. The king's security was his security. His people's protection was his protection. 

He wasn't acting out of self-interest, but out of a service to others.

The story of Esther and Mordecai portrays the obvious. For Haman, self-seeking was ruinous. For Mordecai, seeking the wealth of others brought wealth to himself.

So we must ask ourselves, "On which side of the story do we live?" Do we live greedily seeking to get all we can? Do we think of ourselves first when we make decisions? 

My mother used everyday lessons to teach us about giving to others first. For example, when we cut pieces of cake for the family, we were to give the largest portion first to our father, and then between the two of us girls, whoever was serving was to take the final, smaller piece. I can still hear her saying, "Give the larger portion to the other person, otherwise you are being selfish."

When it came to the fight for who would ride in the front seat with Mom, her comment was, "The more mature will give way and take the back seat."

This idea of putting self first breeds a spirit of competition that grows into an ugly level of narcissism. We see this so prominently in our society. 

Sadly, we are less often made aware of those who do not seek their own, but seek the wealth of others; the benefit of others over self. Those serving in the homeless shelters, giving to worthy charities, and serving others through education, medicine, and leadership are the real heroes of our society. And God will honor them.

Mordecai wasn't looking for promotion. He was focused on being a blessing to his people, and God blessed him. We see a similar story in the life of Joseph, too. God honors those who honor others. It is part of the Golden Rule - "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (Luke 6:31). This was one of the first Bible verses I learned, but I learned a paraphrase - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

So today, think about your underlying motivation. Is it self-seeking and self-promoting or others-focused? Are you treating others with genuine value, or do you see yourself as above them? Do you insist on the front seat and the biggest portion of the cake, or can you be the more mature? 

God honors humility. James 4:10, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

The promise of blessing is found in giving - "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom, for with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38).  

And this giving isn't limited to monetary gifts. We give when we show respect. We give when we act to support those in need. We give when we show we care. We give when we put others first.

It's quite a challenge, isn't it? So today, when you are tempted to hold back from giving or keep the biggest portion for yourself, why not step back and allow the biggest portion to go to someone else? You never know how God will bless you, and you will be amazed at how good you feel when you put others first.

Week Six - Will You Obey Me?

Last week, I put up a post on Facebook about Esther.  It read, "Esther didn't chase power. She walked in obedience, and God positioned her. A God-led woman doesn't force doors; God opens them." 

This is so true and such a valuable lesson. When we force things, we meet with resistance, but when we allow God to open doors, He clears the way and blesses our obedience.

God has more to say about Esther's obedience. We first read of her obedience in not disclosing her nationality to the court during the process of choosing a new queen. The Bible says Mordecai had "charged her that she should not shew it" (2:10). And then, in verse 20, we read that even after she was chosen, she obediently kept her secret. The verse contains a beautiful phrase describing her character, "like as when she was brought up with him." 

Esther's overriding character trait, apparently evident even from childhood, was obedience. She obeyed Mordecai, the man who brought her up. She obeyed him when challenged to approach the king, and she obeyed her king by respecting the manners and customs of his culture as she made her appeal.

This character of obedience does not place Esther as a doormat, hardly. She was a brave woman who knew the blessings of life were on the other side of obedience. She trusted God, and she obeyed those in authority over her. This is not a quality to take lightly. It takes serious commitment to obey when faced with the threat of death or exposure. It is an "in your face" moment when you come to the reality that you have been positioned, "for such a time as this."

Her example challenges us today. How obedient are we to those in authority over us? Is obedience a characteristic of our lives? Obeying our parents? Obeying our employer? Obeying the law? Obeying God's Word? Or do we thwart instruction and race to do things our own way? Are we in such a hurry to get to the top that we scoff at being obedient, believing it to be a lazy or weak way to progress? 

Are we teaching our children the benefits and blessings of obedience? Do we live an example of obedience before them? 

Waiting and obedience are vital keys to success, for God is the One who gives the increase, and we are but tools in His hand. God used Esther in a mighty way, not because she was super smart or aggressive, but because she trusted and obeyed. 

Where might God be asking you to obey? Will you obey Him?