Able To Aid

Some mornings as I sit down to process through my readings, I get sidetracked. This form of sidetracking isn’t by glancing at e-mails or Facebook, texting with a friend, or anything like that (although I confess that does happen far too often). In this particular instance, I’m referring to getting sidetracked by a verse that isn’t really part of the “point” for the day.

Then again, maybe it is. God has a funny way of doing that.

This week, the distraction was a passing devotional reference to a verse in Hebrews. It’s easy for me to get lazy and just ignore passing references like that, so years ago I determined to be intentional about looking up those references every time. Here’s what I read when I looked up this particular verse:

For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NASB (emphasis mine)

As I read these verses, I realized that I’ve always had an incomplete foundation when it comes to temptation. Had I ever stopped to process my understanding of how we are to biblically handle temptation, I would have realized that my foundation lacked something. But, until this week, I never gave it a second thought.

Here’s the foundation I’ve always had:

• James 1 teaches that temptation is not of God, and I must flee it.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 shows me that God will provide a way of escape from temptation.
• I still fall to temptation, but the blood of Jesus covers me, and I can come before Him in repentance and receive forgiveness even when I do not take the way of escape.

But, looking at Hebrews 2, there’s something else I was missing. Another crucial truth: I don’t have to run away on my own strength. I don’t have to find the escape with my own clouded vision. Jesus is able (and therefore willing) to come to my aid!

That is so logical. It’s so clear. It’s nothing really new. Yet, how often do I act on it?

I confess, often when I’m struggling against temptation, I feel too weak to even look for the way of escape. But my precious Savior has not left me to do it on my own. He is ready and able to help. I just have to call on Him.

He is my way of escape.

We cannot fight temptation on our own. We do not have the strength. (If we did, we wouldn’t need Christ’s salvation.) Only with the Spirit living within us can we walk through the escape provided. But in the ugliness of our temptation, we don’t feel able or worthy or permitted to call upon the purity that is Jesus Christ.

But oh how opposite from truth that is!

No, we’re not worthy. But even at our best we lack worth. And able? It only takes a plea for help! Oh, and the most glorious part is that we’re not only permitted, we’re invited. Welcomed. Encouraged. Admonished. Instructed. Commanded, even, to call upon Jesus.

And how do we remember that in the throes of temptation? How do we fight the darkness enough to convince ourselves that we can call upon Jesus for aid? By memorizing this verse now (and maybe a few around it - the whole context is powerful!), putting it in our arsenal so the Spirit can bring it to our minds in the moment of weakness.

He is able to come to my aid. Oh what a glorious truth!

A Light to My Path

How many of us memorized Psalm 119:105 as children?

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

I can hear the lessons that go along with it, too. “Remember children, if you follow God’s Word, your path will always be lit.”

Yet, as with many verses we snag and cling to, it’s so easy to miss the bigger context. Even though context has been drilled into my head, I still make that mistake. I jump on the familiar and miss the fullness of what’s being said.

It’s especially easy to do that with Psalm 119 because it’s a long chapter with so many great nuggets. But this psalm - actually one of my all-time favorites - is more than just a long chapter full of one-liners. In reality, Psalm 119 is a Hebrew acrostic celebrating Scripture.

Have you ever noticed the little heading above each section? Headings like “aleph” and “beth” - all the way through to “tav” at the end. Those are the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight-verse sections, when read in Hebrew, starts with a different letter of the alphabet. Each line in that section starts with the same letter. So, Psalm 119 is a poem celebrating God’s word - a beautiful poem with twenty-two stanzas.

Recently, I read back through this psalm again, two or three section a day. This slow reading forced me, once again, to ponder the relationship between the lines - the connection and flow of the poem. Psalm 119:105, for instance, is the first verse of the “nun” stanza. This verse ties in with the next seven verses to create a single train of thought regarding Scripture.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
106 I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.
107 I am exceedingly afflicted;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your ordinances.
109 My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.
111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.

Can you see the image of a heavily burdened child of God as you read these verses? He’s attacked and overwhelmed by enemies. But, God’s word alone keeps him on the path. God’s word strengthens his heart. God’s word prevents him from allowing his troubles to derail him.

When I consider verse 105 in this context, I realize that it does not say that God’s word is a lamp to our feet on a well-trodden, familiar path that just looks a little strange in the half-light of dusk.

No, this is a completely strange path. Our feet have never been here before. They have no idea what to anticipate with the very next step. Will they land in safety? Or is there a trap? Will we trip on something? Or will be continue on with solid footing?

Oh, and it’s dark all around us. So very dark. The only true light we have is from God’s word. Period.

But here’s the best part: God’s word is enough. More than enough, in fact. His word is the only light we need to keep us from going astray from His precepts.

May we never stop with our childhood memories of well-known Scripture. May we instead dig ever deeper, discovering the power of gems like Psalm 119:105.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Going On

We’ve all heard the stories of the church growing dramatically. Sometimes the growth results from gospel being heard for the first time. Other growth comes in response to persecution. Still other growth begins when hearts that have been simply going through the motions are suddenly revived.

I love hearing - and experiencing - any such growth stories. But, my favorite stories remain the earliest ones. The biblical ones. Like this one:

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase. Acts 9:31 NASB

Do you see the amazing information packed into this verse?

1. The church enjoyed peace.
   
   This was really the first time of peace for the church. It started under mild persecution, as the Apostles were threatened by the Jewish leaders who thought their problems had ended when they got rid of Jesus. Surprise!
   
   For the most part, though, it seems as if the persecution relaxed a bit and preaching, teaching, meeting, and growing occurred without too many issues. But, if you’ve ever been in a growing church, you know there are other issues. Internal issues. Growing pains. We see a glimpse of these issues in the argument between the Hellenistic and Jewish widows. I have a feeling that was not the only growing pain.
   
   Then came the massive persecution at the hands of Saul following Stephen’s martyrdom. The believers were scattered, and the gospel spread.
   
   Only after Saul traveled that life-changing Damascus road did peace come.
   
2. Being built up.
   
   Consider the beginning of the chapter. Saul was trying to tear down the church. Now, the threat from Saul is gone, and it seems like the rest of the Jews have lost their steam - or that they’re more focused on Saul than the whole church.
   
   So, what once was being torn down is now being built up. It is interesting to note that this verb refers not to something that the church was accomplishing on their own. They were not building themselves up, but were being built up. The action of the Lord Himself accomplished this growth. He’d established His church in challenge. Now He was growing His church in peace. He acted. They received.
   
   
3. And going on.
   
   This is the one I really love. The church went on, acting on what they’d learned in the time of challenge.
   
   So often, we see the opposite in the lives of individual Christians and churches as a whole. We band together and lean on Christ in the challenge, but when the peace comes, we relax. We separate. We do not go on, persisting in the foundation established during the challenge. Instead, we act as if those foundational behaviors are only for the times of challenge, waiting for us to return to if the need arises.
   
   But the early church had no concept of that. Perhaps it was a side effect of being established in challenge. They knew nothing else. So, they continued in what they knew, and they “continued to increase” because of it.

We often discuss emulating the early church in order to be truly biblical in our methods. I think right here is the first place we need to look. We need to choose to go on “in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit,” no matter what our circumstances.

Then, my friends - oh, then! - let’s just hang on. Because the growth will truly be glorious!

Sacrificial Rest

This week I'm sharing part three of my Rest series, originally published in Arkansas Baptist News. I wrote this as the busyness of Thanksgiving and Christmas were descending upon me. But, in all honesty, the last two months have been no less crazy. I definitely needed this reminder to glorify God sacrificially, even in those times when all I can think of is my need for rest!

The holiday season is upon us! As an introverted homebody, sometimes the busyness of this season throws me for a loop. I do love it. I love the decorations and the celebrations. I enjoy the parties and the events, even if I sometimes have to pry myself out of the warm house to attend them.

But I also need rest. And I am not quite sure I like the next lesson God has been teaching me about rest. You see, in addition to learning that rest is relational and expected, I am also learning that rest is sacrificial.

I have always been pretty selfish about rest. My opinion has always been that I need it, and I need it my way, or it doesn’t count. But when my husband and I had a conversation about a couple of passages of Scripture, I found my selfishness challenged.

In Acts 16:13, we see Paul heading down to the riverside in hopes of meeting people gathered there to pray. I have never though much about that action until Doug made a thought-provoking observation. He pointed out that Paul’s trip outside the city on the Sabbath was a sacrificial act. It was outside his norm. It was outside the parameters of rest he had been taught during his formative years.

Paul made a sacrifice.

So, where was he when he made this sacrifice? He was in Philippi. He was making the contacts that would eventually result in the Philippian church. The same Philippian church that brought him incredible joy, according to verses like Philippians 1:3. In fact, it could be argued from Scripture that this particular church provided Paul’s greatest source of strength and encouragement.

But it all started with a sacrifice.

One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 3:13. I have always loved the idea of encouragement among believers. But, as I look at Paul’s sacrificial investment in the Philippian church - and the return it brought - I see Hebrews 3:13 in a new light. I see that we receive our greatest encouragement, strength, and support when we are willing to sacrifice for one another, even in rest.

Now, sacrificial rest does require care because it still must be rest. It cannot become just another source of busyness. But, what would happen if we were willing to put aside our selfish conceptions of rest and determine instead to rest in fellowship with our fellow believers?

As the busy schedule presses in, I pray God will show me exactly how to rest sacrificially - and that He will allow even my rest to bear the fruit of joy and encouragement for others.

Expected Rest

This is part two of the rest series originally published in Arkansas Baptist News.

Recently I shared that God has been teaching me a good deal about rest. I love that the learning never stops. He builds on each lesson, continually growing me. The more I learn, the more I see how much I have left to learn.

Discovering the depths of rest is no exception.

In addition to the surprising lesson that rest is relational, God is showing me more and more that rest is expected. I suppose in the true nature of biblical instruction, I should say that rest is commanded, for that is the reality. Either way, rest is not an option.

But I am just beginning to understand why God expects us to take rest seriously.

What keeps us from resting?

I asked myself that question recently, and I was not too fond of the answer: a lack of trust prevents my rest.

Far too often, I resemble the children of Israel wandering in the desert. They grumbled about the lack of food. So, God sent them manna. But, He told them to collect the manna in a certain way. Five days out of every week they were commanded to collect only what they needed for that day. On the sixth day, their collection was to be enough for two days.

It was illogical. It was improbable. Why would manna that did not last more than twenty-four hours five days a week last forty-eight hours on the sixth day? Had I been among the Israelites, I probably would have obeyed. But I can guarantee you I would have been very skeptical that first week. Even if I took God at His word, it would not have been easy.

But He said to rest on the Sabbath. And He never gives a command or holds an expectation without providing the means for obedience.

That is as true for me today as it was for the Israelites then. God expects me to rest, and He will always provide the way for me to accomplish it.

What about the work I am behind on? What about the little things that have not been done during the week because of other obligations? What about the expectations upon me? What if I let someone down? What if I do not get something done?

Yes, God even has provision for those.

If I choose to not rest, it is because I do not trust Him to take care of everything just as He said He would. And believe me, it feels as improbable, illogical, and unlikely as the preservation of manna. But it is just as expected for me as it was for them.

May we trust Him enough to obey and rest.

Relational Rest

I write a monthly column for Arkansas Baptist News. Because I always try to write about what God is teaching me, sometimes it’s good to go back and reread old columns – like processing back through journal entries to remember what I’ve learned.

This morning I reread – and desperately needed the reminder of – this article from last fall. I thought I’d share it with you! This one turned into a four-article series, so I’ll share the remaining three over the next few weeks.

Life is tiring. Have you noticed? We hit the ground running and eventually forget what it means to stop. To rest.

I am convicted each time I see how seriously Scripture handles the Sabbath. This day of rest was instituted long before the law came into being. In fact, rest existed before sin corrupted the world and laid the burdens of exhaustion upon our backs. Rest is critical, and we must allow God to teach us how to rest.

God has been opening my mind to aspects of rest I have never before considered. Recently, He showed me that rest is relational.

When I think of rest, I think of curling up all by myself with a good book and no distractions. You see, I am an introvert. I love being with people, but social interaction typically drains my energy. I need to recharge after I spend time with people. How in the world can rest be relational?

Fortunately, God is a patient teacher. He is willing to prove His truths to me, even when I am skeptical.

Several weeks ago, my husband dropped me off at the airport for a weekend work retreat. I was about to spend three days at the beach with ten other amazing women, but all I could think of was the energy that would be required of me through the weekend. I went into it tired. How long would it take me to recover once it was all said and done?

I never expected to come away from that trip energized. Those ten women poured into me even as I poured into them. We respected one another’s needs, helped each other recharge, and lived out the beauty of Hebrews 3:13. We pooled our talents and passions, seeing productivity flow even out of our times of fun and relaxation. We rested together in ways we never could have done individually.

For the first time in my life, I saw that even introverts cannot experience the fullness of rest without support and encouragement from fellow believers. Rest really is relational.

Scripture supports this in a profound manner. Consider Psalm 23. This beloved passage wraps me in peace every time I read it. I have always thought of it as a personal passage, but recently I was confronted with a startling truth: David was a shepherd. He knew sheep. And, he knew that sheep do not do well at all on their own. They rest when they are surrounded by the safety of their flock and the protection of their shepherd.

We are God’s sheep. We need to draw upon the presence of one another, encouraging each other daily that we may truly find rest.

This article was originally published in the ABN.

My Purpose?

I wonder if David ever had writer’s block.

You laugh. But, when I see all that he wrote, I wonder if he ever wanted to write, but couldn’t. I wonder how many of his prayers never saw the light of day.

Last week I tried to write, but I never could accomplish what I wanted to say. So, I let the week slide by without really writing. Then this week.

But now I sit here thinking about David. And I realize something.

David left behind wonderful words, but not because he had to meet writing deadlines or make sure something was up on the tabernacle bulletin board. No, David’s songs were the expression of what welled up inside of him. Was his relationship with the Lord vibrant and whole? Then words of praise flowed. Was he distant and feeling it? Then despair poured from his lips, rising to the only One who could draw him back to vibrancy.

Last week I tried to write simply because I wanted to have something up on my blog. And I did not succeed. I think it was because I forgot this verse:

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

(And just to be contextual here, the audience receiving this instruction was dealing with honoring God in the midst of a pretty messed up society. I think I have it easy.)

Whether David was up or down, his songs pointed to God. They were for His glory. They lifted up His name. They hashed through the human struggle of trusting a God whose ways cannot always be understood. But they always came back to the reminder that His ways are right, whether David understood or not.

David’s songs were for the glory of God.

Did all of David’s actions glorify God? No. Did David always feel like glorifying God? It’s doubtful. But his legacy, his enduring songs, were all written for the glory of God. And David’s life was most right when his actions intentionally honored God.

What are we striving for this week? What is our purpose? Is it to check something off the to-do list? Is it to keep up with a habit we decided to establish in our lives? Is it to meet someone else’s expectations?

How much better will it be if we strive only to glorify God in every little thing?

And I mean everything.

Work, play, hobbies, life necessities…everything.

I am sure David had days in which he wanted to sing a new song, but he was not faithfully singing that new song for God’s glory. And I bet it was harder to sing on those days. Just like it is harder for me to write on those days. Or work. Or play. Or meet my family’s needs. Or do anything.

Let’s get back to 1 Corinthians 10:31 living. No matter what our circumstances, let’s do all to the glory of God. And let’s see how He shines through our efforts.

The Lord Did What?

Prayers and praises abound in Scripture, especially in Psalms. Sometimes my heart is drawn to those prayers and their message. The words of David or Asaph or Moses or any of the other authors truly reflect I was to say.

But other times I drift away from the example of Scripture in my prayer and in my praise. Especially in my praise.

You see, all too often, my praise focuses on what the Lord has done for me. Don’t get me wrong - He has done much for me. Oh so very much! I can see profound examples of His handiwork every time I look back over my life.

But, there are days when I just do not see it quite so clearly.

Those are the days when everything seems to be going badly. Those are the days when the needs seem to heavily outweigh the provision. Those are the days when none of the options are good. Those are the days when the future seems completely bleak.

I would be lying if I said I could easily praise God for what He has done when I hit days like that.

Or weeks.

Sometimes even months.

I always need to ground my prayers in Scripture. But in the difficult times, I need it most. Those are the times when passages like Psalm 92 truly stand out to me. I encourage you to read the whole Psalm, but allow me to pull out just one verse here.

For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Psalm 92:4 NASB

As I look at this verse in the context of Psalm 92, I cannot help but be awakened to the selfishness of my typical praises.

I’ll say it once again: All too often my praise focuses on what the Lord has done for me.

In this verse, though, the psalmist stops with “what You have done.” There is no “for me” tagged on the end. If we truly ponder many of the prayers in Psalms, we see that some do offer personal reflection of what God has done for the psalmist. But, the greatest focus is instead on God’s mighty works in creation as a whole.

God doesn’t just do for me. God DOES.

What a difference that perspective makes!

When we are only focused on what God does for us, our vision becomes narrowed. In fact, it often narrows so much that we cannot even see many of the works of God in our lives. We want the feel-good, make me dance for joy kind of acts of God.

That is not always how He works.

But, His works are always good! Yes, even when they do not feel good.

When we shift our focus to that realization, we see His perspective a little more clearly. We understand His heart a little more strongly. And we discover a bigger picture that encompasses all of creation. We see what a big God we serve! And suddenly, we find joy in His works, even when those works cause growth that hurts.

Yes, Lord, I am thankful for what you have done for me, and for that I will praise You.

But even more, I am thankful for what you have done, because that shows me so much more clearly who You are.

For that, too, Lord, I will praise You!

Put Down Those Oars

Have you ever tried to move against a strong wind? It is a tough ride. It takes every ounce of energy to make it happen. Every bit of focus.

Think of those “windy” moments in life when everything seems to be working against you. You are exhausted. You would love to quit. But you know if you do, you will just go backwards. You have to keep going. Keep pushing. Keep striving.

You see your Bible sitting across the way, but you just mutter a prayer instead.

“I can’t do that right now, Lord. It is taking all my energy just to move. I’ll just talk to you from right here, but I can’t stop, Lord. I can’t stop. You understand, right? Get me through this wind, and I’ll take a breath and really spend time with You.”

Sometimes we have to act even in the midst of the storm.

Do you remember the story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water? (See Matthew 14:22-33.)

When Jesus commanded Peter to walk on water, the winds were still roaring. The disciples were still working hard to get to the other side. I love the description in verse twenty-four:

But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.

“Contrary.” Is that great?

Life often runs contrary to my expectations.

The winds roar, and it is hard to stay on course. I put all of my energy into just making it to the next step of life.

In a moment just like that, Peter decided to put down the oars. He did not ask Jesus to help him row. He did not ask for the wind to stop. He asked Jesus for permission to walk away from the fight. To let it all go and run to Him right in the middle of the storm.

Wow.

Yes, I know that Peter later took his eyes off Jesus and started to sink. But first he chose to let go in the middle of the storm and head to Jesus.

We can’t keep fighting in our own strength.

My friends, we fight the wind on our own far too often. Jesus is right there, waiting. He is never far. But sometimes He just wants us to choose to step away from the fight and walk toward Him instead. We may falter on the way. We might get distracted, and He might have to pick us back up. But, that is not our concern right now. First, we must let go of those oars and turn to Him.

Earlier this week the kids and I read about an overworked missions team. There was too much work for them to accomplish each week. So, what did they do? They started taking an entire day off to pray. Just pray. To put down the oars and walk to Jesus.

Guess what?

Their work load did not decrease. But their productivity increased. They were able to accomplish more in the remaining days than they had even had scheduled before the change.

What winds are you fighting today? Why don’t we put down those oars and focus on Jesus for a bit instead? I know that’s what I need to do today.

Obedience of the Small

During my time in the religion department at Ouachita Baptist University, I had the privilege of taking a biblical interpretation course. Dr. Hays taught us to take a passage and see its layers. Simply by reading, reading again, and reading yet again, he showed us how new details could stand out to us even when we thought we had exhausted every avenue of thought in a verse or passage.

I have not always exercised that developed eye for details, keeping it in shape to see the depths Dr. Hays taught us to see. Even so, there are times when things jump out at me because I have learned to take a second, third, and fourth look at passages.

Take this verse, for instance:

So they established a decree to circulate a proclamation throughout all Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to celebrate the Passover to the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem. For they had not celebrated it in great numbers as it was prescribed. 2 Chronicles 30:5

This verse continues the story of Hezekiah we discussed a couple of weeks ago. The people have been purified, and they are ready to celebrate a nation-wide Passover for the first time in many generations.

So, what stands out to me here? The very end of the verse. “For they had not celebrated it in great numbers as it was prescribed.” (emphasis mine)

Do you know what that means?

Some still celebrated.

The temple had been in various states of disrepair over the decades, and many years passed with priests completely unable to perform their duties. Yet some people still faithfully celebrated the Passover.

How must it have felt year after year for those few? They were being faithful. They were being obedient. Yet I cannot help but think that some of them must have longed for something they had never experienced - a Passover like God’s people held in the very beginning. A Passover with the whole community. A Passover in great numbers.

But they did not let those longings keep them from obedience. They persevered. They celebrated. They worshiped. They persisted in obedience. Even when the great numbers focused their attention and energy elsewhere.

We have no details showing us how life was for the small numbers who continued in worship. There is no story chronicling their faithfulness. They are not mentioned at all until this moment, and even here it is just a passing statement that only infers their existence.

It is not glorious to obey in small numbers. In fact, it is just the opposite. It is lonely. It is challenging. It goes unnoticed.

But it is worth it.

Are your numbers small right now? Obey anyway. Do you feel isolated? Stand strong anyway. Is obedience challenging? Obey anyway.

The world may never notice. History may never record your perseverance. But it is worth it. Keep going! The day will come when the great numbers will join you. And I guarantee your joy will be complete in that day!

Leading the Leaders

The reign of Hezekiah has always thrilled me. If I had to pick a favorite king of Judah, he would be the one. After generations of sinfulness and disobedience, Hezekiah decides to do it right.

He wastes no time beginning reforms.

In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. He brought in the priests and the Levites and gathered them into the square on the east. Then he said to them, “Listen to me, O Levites. Consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry the uncleanness out from the holy place. 2 Chronicles 29:3-5

Who's in Charge?

There is something I find interesting in this story. Hezekiah instructs the priests and Levites right here in the very beginning. Yet all through the reforms, a certain theme is repeated:

But the priests were too few, so that they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was completed and until the other priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests. 2 Chronicles 29:34

For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month, 3 since they could not celebrate it at that time, because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient numbers, nor had the people been gathered to Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 30:3-4

Then they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth of the second month. And the priests and Levites were ashamed of themselves, and consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the house of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 30:15

For Hezekiah king of Judah had contributed to the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep, and the princes had contributed to the assembly 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep; and a large number of priests consecrated themselves. 2 Chronicles 30:24

Do you see the progression here?

- Hezekiah initiated.
- Some of the religious leaders responded, but not all.
- The people responded in greater numbers.
- The religious leaders slowly came around, feeling convicted because of the response of the people.

There are a couple of lessons to learn from this.

First, our positions mean something! Hezekiah should not have been the initiator. The people should not have been ahead of the priests and Levites. It was their job to instruct the king and be spiritual leaders for the people. They failed and then had to play catch-up when they should have been leading.

Fortunately, others stepped up! This leads directly to the second lesson.

Don’t wait for the “right” person to act! Leaders do not always lead as they should. Sometimes they get complacent. That does not give followers an excuse. Sometimes people must be willing to motivate their leaders to action.

You might not see yourself as a leader, but you still have no excuse. If you are choosing to sit around and do nothing simply because your leaders are not acting, then you are living in sin. You are jointly responsible. And you are capable of instigating a change!

The priests should have been the ones to direct the king and mobilize the Levites. The Levites should have been the ones to teach the people, stirring them to action. Instead, Hezekiah pushed the priests and Levites. Then he stirred the people to action. The Levites got a more decent start than the priests, but it was only the amazing responsiveness of the people that truly lit a fire under the sluggish priests. The ones who should have started everything were the last to respond.

Where will you and I fall? May we be the first!

Nothing Sacred

The thought running through my mind today is a bit morbid. But it is also glorious. Victorious, even. It gives me hope even when the future does not look incredibly bright.

Take a look through history, mythology, and almost any religious writing in existence. There is a pervasive mentality, even among those who do not honor faith, that a sacred “something” exists. It is that thing the enemy is not expected to touch. It is that place where souls should be safe.

In fact, in much of our lore the enemy is never believed to be truly evil and without redemption until he invades the sacred. A code among the ranks of our enemy is assumed. They will not invade our sacred because they do not wish us to invade theirs.

Are We Different?

Believers in the one true God know better, in a sense. We know that there is an evil that has no respect for our sacred. But, we still have a reliance on the sacred. Our reliance simply says that God will not allow our sacred to be invaded.

The Israelites believed this. They expected God would always protect His holy place. He would not allow Jerusalem or the temple to fall, no matter what evil tried to invade.

They were wrong.

O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, which You have redeemed to be the tribe of Your inheritance; and this Mount Zion, where You have dwelt. Turn Your footsteps toward the perpetual ruins; the enemy has damaged everything within the sanctuary. Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place; they have set up their own standards for signs. Psalm 74:1-4

The Israelites were surprised when God allowed His holy temple to be desecrated by the enemy. And we are no less surprised when the same thing happens to us, even without the physical temple.

What we forget is that nothing on this earth is truly sacred. Nothing. God grants us so much in this world to remind us of His faithfulness and His love. But every one of those gifts can be invaded. They can be crushed by the enemy.

The Israelites discovered this truth when the temple was invaded and stripped over and over again. The reality was emphasized once and for all when they were taken away from the promised land and moved into captivity.

Nothing perishable is sacred.

Notice the key point here, though. Nothing perishable is sacred.

But we have a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ that is imperishable. It is eternal. It is a bond that no evil can break. It is a love than cannot be severed, no matter how horrible the circumstances become. It is our one truly sacred reality.

Our biggest struggles in life do not come when the enemy invades the sacred. They come well before the invasion, arriving when something temporal is elevated to a sacred position. They come in the moment we say, “God will never allow __________.”

Scripture and history show over and over again that God’s people do not escape attacks. But those who belong to Him see something sacred beyond their struggles. Something eternal. Something worth clinging to even when the most sacred earthly treasure has been invaded.

What is sacred to you?

I Didn’t Understand Until…

If you have never looked at God and asked, “Why?!?” then this post is not for you. Especially if you have never asked, “Why, Lord, does everything work out for them but never for me? He has no regard for you. She never even considers you. Yet it all works out for them.” For the rest of us, here are a few thoughts…

I need to memorize Psalm 73:16-17 for those moments of questioning. Let me set the stage. Asaph is doing a bit of complaining. All around he sees the wicked flourishing while he suffers. The wicked taunt God. Meanwhile, Asaph realizes he could never speak that way about or to God without severe repercussions.

After all of this, however, we come to those two precious verses.

When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end. Psalm 73:16-17

I love that! “I didn’t understand, until…”

Until I entered the presence of the Lord.

Until I focused on Him more than on myself or others.

Until I stopped thinking about the here and now and viewed all things in light of eternity.

Until I remembered God’s perfect wisdom.

It is not easy to redirect our thinking when we are feeling weighed down and mistreated. When life seems incredibly unfair, we cannot easily force ourselves to remember that this life is just a small sliver of the eternity we will spend in perfection.

That is why it is critical for us to enter into the presence of the Lord. Not just important…essential.

Our thoughts distract us. They sway us. They move us in directions we really do not need to go. Even worse, they can convince us that those wrong directions are right and represent the only option available!

But the presence of the Lord dispels all of that. We must enter the sanctuary as Asaph did. How can we accomplish that in our modern environment?

• Stay entrenched in the Word of God. Read it daily. Get to know it. And rely on it heavily.

  Memorize the Word of God. There is a reason I need to memorize these verses. Just reading them overcomes my thoughts and sets me back on the right track. But, there is a lot in Scripture. No matter how familiar I am with God’s Word, I will not always remember just where to go to find just the reminder I need in that moment. But what I memorize will always be there. When the Holy Spirit brings it to mind, it will automatically overcome my treacherous thoughts.

• Spend time with God’s people. And not just on church days. Every day. And not just church attenders. People who are truly immersed in the Word of God. People who are not afraid to challenge us. People who obviously love the Lord.

Will you join me in the sanctuary today?

Allowed to Praise

As Americans, we live in a culture where someone who is “one of us” can rise up to be great. As children are taught about our government, they are reminded that even a poor child like Abraham Lincoln could grow up to be President. As a result, we live with the mentality that our rulers are relatively accessible.

That heritage is fantastic, but because of it we sometimes miss the significance of references to royalty and kingship. We have to stop and put ourselves in the mentality of a monarchy in order to truly grasp what it means to serve a king.

Why is this important? Because as Christians we serve a King. The King. And because we are so used to our system of government, we sometimes miss just how incredible our relationship with that King is.

To exemplify this, consider this verse from Psalms:

But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; yes, let them rejoice with gladness. Psalm 68:3

Did you catch it? Let me show you again:

But LET the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; yes, LET them rejoice with gladness. Psalm 68:3

Now do you see it?

David is asking that the righteous be allowed to be glad, exult before God, and rejoice. He recognizes that God’s majesty is too great for man’s praise. Nothing we do comes close to being worthy of our King. Our thanks is far to small. Our rejoicing is too limited. Our gladness can never be great enough. God must condescend to allow our praise and thanksgiving to be sufficient.

And He does! Willingly! Intentionally, in fact! David knew he could make this petition because he sought the heart of a relational God. We know we can boldly approach the throne because God sacrificed His one and only Son that we might have direct communion with Him.

But we must never, ever, ever forget that we can approach that throne because God condescends to us. He permanently extends His scepter to us, allowing our insignificant and insufficient efforts to bring Him joy. He permits us to praise Him!

If I truly fill my mind with the realization that He not only commands my praise but permits it, I cannot help but lift my voice, my heart, and my life up to Him. I am reminded just how small I am. Yet I am also reminded of the incredible reality that He loves me, no matter how small I am. What a tremendous reality! What an overwhelming thought!

You are allowed to praise today. Your tiny offering of thanks is not only accepted but cherished by the King of kings. Your gladness is treasured by the Lord of lords. What a blessing!

An Invitation

Are there ever circumstances, surroundings, or sights that remind you to pray? I don’t mean the general “pray without ceasing” command. I mean the specific prompts that remind you of specific people or that draw you to the Lord in a specific way.

I love those reminders. When I pay attention to them, I feel like David felt when he penned this verse:

When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.” Psalm 27:8 (NASB)

This morning, I read the verse the New Living Translation. It might not be as literal, but it certainly tugged at my heart in an intimate way:

My heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with Me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 NLT

You see, I can work through a prayer list any time. The prayer list reminds me to lift up people or seek God out regarding needs. But the Spirit’s nudges and reminders differ greatly from a prayer list. They connect me to the heart of God and to other people in beautiful ways.

For instance, on Wednesday I lost my voice. It happens at least twice a year when allergy symptoms really kick in, so I’m used to it. But it usually happens in March. Not this time. This year it just “happened” to wait until May and fall on the same day a friend’s son was going in for his second cochlear implant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochlear_implant) surgery. No one could hear me on the very day that a young teen was going through a surgery to help him better hear those around him. I consider that a reminder, not a coincidence.

Sometimes it’s a sunrise that simply nudges me to praise. Other times it’s a dream about someone I haven’t seen in years. A delight I’m enjoying might bring to memory a special friend. A struggle can help me identify with someone else who experiences similar struggles. Whatever the case, it goes beyond the prayer list. It connects me to an active, vibrant, “in the moment” relationship with the Holy Spirit and with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Those little moments are the Lord saying, “Come and talk with Me.”

I would be lying if I said I always responded to those invitations with, “Lord, I am coming.” But I’m learning. The more I respond, the more I notice the invitations. How I love it!

He invites us all. The invitations might look different for you, but they are still there. How will you respond? Join me in saying, “Lord, I am coming!”

A Marvel

When others look at us, what do they say? How do they describe us?

I suppose the primary question is whether or not our faith stands out at all. Do they think “believer” first and foremost, or do other things come to mind ahead of that one defining reality? What do they see first, God’s handiwork or our human successes?

This morning I copied verses from a psalm of David, Psalm 71. One verse in particular grabbed me.

I have become a marvel to many, for You are my strong refuge. Psalm 71:7

Many people are marvels in a positive way. Some are exceedingly smart and wow others because of their brilliance. Others are incredibly talented or artistic. They accomplish wonders with a paintbrush or instrument, designs or constructions. There are those who are tremendous in their ability to captivate an audience, saying people with the power of persuasion. Some marvel with their generosity, others with their strengths.

But all of those achievements direct attention to the people themselves. To their accomplishments. I will be honest - I do not mind receiving some attention for God-given talents.

But, oh to be a marvel because of God’s work in my life!

I stress. I worry. I agitate. But what if I were to simply live a life of rest and trust? What would others say of me? Would I become a marvel whose life pointed to God’s glory?

God IS my strong refuge. He is my rest and my peace. He is my provision and my very life. But I can live a life that does not reflect any of those truths. When I live that way, anything in my life that makes others marvel is human, fallible, and corruptible.

But, if I live a life that does reflect those truths, everything changes. People marvel not at me, but at the work of God in me.

That is my goal, to become a marvel to many because God is my strong refuge!

On Being a Mess

In my daily Bible reading, David has just become king over all Israel. He has had a tough life thus far, but I know the end of the story. It only gets tougher. And a good portion of it is his own fault.

David is a liar, an adulterer, a murderer, and a horrible parent. Sometimes his specific actions don’t look much better than those of other kings. Yet he is remembered as being the “man after God’s own heart.” How in the world is that possible?

David was a mess. He made mistakes right and left. He hurt not only himself but others around him. But every step of the way, David was repentant. And that, my friends, is why he is so highly regarded in Scripture.

David truly loved God. He didn’t always obey God. But he always came back around to desperately craving a restoration of his relationship with the Lord. He knew when it was severed, and he knew how critical it was to have that tear mended.

This is why I love the story of David so much. You see, I’m a mess too. I say the wrong thing on a daily basis. I mess up in my marriage. I mess up with my kids. I mess up as a pastor’s wife or an employee. I want to be right and perfect, but my pride usually knocks me flat on my face instead. I lust after things of this world instead of after my Savior. I let my focus be pulled in a myriad of directions. I allow addictions to things other than Christ to dictate my life.

Yet through it all, there is one thing I know: I hunger for a solid relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I do not take it as an excuse to continue living as a mess as long as I repent afterward. I instead take it as a sign of hope - hope that even this messy life can point to the glory of my magnificent Savior!

Hold Up My Hands

I love to pray for others. I really do. I love it when they share specific requests that I can bathe in prayer. Hearing the praises delights me.

It’s a little harder, though, to turn that around. I don’t want to come across as whiney or as a complainer when sharing a request for myself with someone else. Even though I do not hear their requests that way, for some reason I feel that must be how they hear mine.

But the truth is that there is something beautiful about being on both sides of the help. I see that clearly when I read a story in Exodus 17.

Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Joshua needed the prayer support. No one doubted that. Moses was the great man of God. No one doubted that his prayers would reach the ears of God. And at that time, that was a big deal. After the fall, man no longer had the direct ear of God. The Holy Spirit did not remain upon every Israelite. Only certain people were privileged to have that direct connection. Moses was one of the few.

But what is most beautiful is that even Moses needed help in this endeavor. He could not do it on his own. He needed the help of Aaron and Hur.

Because we look back to the cross instead of anticipating it, we all have the same direct connection to God that Moses did. But we have something else in common with him. We need help.

How often do we seek that help? How often do we offer it? It is often easier to be Aaron and Hur to someone else, but we also need to remember to allows others to be that help to us.

I have so much to learn about living in community with other believers. It is easy to forget that my personal, individual relationship with Christ is also bound up in a body of believers. I need those other believers. And they need me. Just as Joshua, Moses, Aaron, and Hur all contributed to the defeat of Amalek, so we must come together as a body to stand against our challenges and battles in this world.

Look to the Cross

As I prepared yesterday’s Sunday school lesson, I got stuck on a verse. It was not the focal verse. But I got stuck on it anyway.

The people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.” Numbers 21:5

Do you see the contradiction here? We have no food…well, really it’s that we loathe this miserable food.

We have no water…well, except for all the water that You have provided every step of the way, Lord.

Most of the complaints of the children of Israel are met with Moses crying out to the Lord, the Lord providing the need, and then some sort of reminder from the Lord that He really is in charge and that whining is not acceptable.

This time, though, God just skips all of that and sends snakes to torment and kill the people. Why? Because this time there was not a real need. This time they were just complaining about what God had already given them. They are saying that God’s provision and care for them are insufficient. How do I know this? Check out verse four.

Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. Numbers 21:4

So, why did I get stuck here? Because I am guilty of the same type of complaining. I behave with the same level of impatience.

It does not matter that God has always provided. If the provision is not here right now, I get agitated.

It does not matter that I have plenty all around me. If I do not have exactly what I am craving right now, I get irritable.

It is so easy to judge the Israelites for their childish behavior until we look in the mirror and analyze our own actions. How are we any different?

I am truly thankful that God does not send poisonous snakes to remind me of my selfishness. I do not have to look at a bronze serpent to survive. But I do have to look at the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself made that comparison in John 3:14-15.

When I look to the cross, my perspective changes. I see a reminder of what my selfishness did. It crucified my Savior. His blood dripped for my bad attitude. My complaining. My accusations that what God has done is not enough.

This week Christians everywhere naturally look to the cross as we walk through Holy Week. But do we really see it? Does it truly affect our thoughts and behavior? Does it make a difference in our whining and complaining? In our attitudes? In our selfishness?

It is so easy in our culture to get bogged down with the pressure of making sure everyone has just the right Easter clothes. We need to find the right Easter baskets, make sure to squeeze in an egg hunt, and hustle to finish all of the cooking for that Easter meal. It is easy to forget to really look to the cross this week. We let the serpents continue to chip away at our attitudes, bringing death to our celebration while we refuse to look up and be healed.

Will you look to the cross with me this week? Really look? Somehow I think that, if we do, all of the other mess will fade away. I have been so distracted by that mess. I am ready for it to fade away. Will you join me?

Where’s My Mind?

One of my favorite passages is Philippians 4:4-7.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Unfortunately, I frequently neglect to move on to verses eight and nine.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

You see, I love to draw on my beloved Philippians 4 passage when I’m in the middle of a struggle and tempted to worry or stress. It is a go-to message that has soothed my heart during more crises than I can begin to count.

But, when I move on to the next two verses, I realize that this passage is not just about the times of crisis. This passage is also about every day life. And every day life is where I falter.

In the routine times, the normal times, the mundane times, and the everyday times, I tend to grow restless. I crave something. I want action. I don’t want to settle in to the normal routine of waking up, having a “quiet time,” exercising, doing chores, homeschooling, working, writing, going to bed, and then starting it all over again. Yes, in the crazy moments I do long for days like that, but when those days come I seem to grow tired of them quickly.

In short, I am not at peace.

This morning I took a deep breath and prayed, “Lord, I just want to be at peace in the normalcy of this day.”

His response? A convicting verse.

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:2-4

Actually, although I am an NASB kind of gal, I always seem to remember this verse in the NKJV, for some reason.

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:2-4

A mind stayed on Him.

A steadfast mind.

Dwell on these things.

Practice these things.

OUCH.

I lack peace because I lack discipline of the mind. I let my mind drift in all sorts of directions. Not necessarily bad directions, mind you. Nothing sinful. But definitely distracting.

Long before I was born, God made a way for me to live through both crisis and mundanity in perfect peace. Every day. Every moment. Without fail. He laid it out before me in perfection. I simply must discipline my mind to remain fixed on Him in perfect trust.