Living God’s Grace

Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; for I am afflicted and needy.  Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man.  O You, my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.

Psalm 86:1-2

These are King David’s words as he cried out to the Lord in his distress.    One thing that stood out to me as I studied Psalm 86 this week is David’s declaration that “I am a godly man.”  Those who know David’s life story might ask, “How can David say that he is a godly man?”  He had an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and then arranged to have her husband Uriah killed on the battlefield.  

            The answer to that question should be an encouragement to every one of us!  God Himself called David “a man after His own heart.”  1 Samuel 13:14 tells us: The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart and has appointed him as ruler over His people.  He was speaking about David.

                        We know from many other Scriptures that God knows every heart, every thought, everything about us, every moment of our lives.  So, God was not surprised at the sinful choices David made.   But He also knew that when David was confronted with his sin, he would repent.  2 Samuel chapter 12 tells that the Lord sent Nathan to David to confront him with his sin and the consequences he would suffer because of it.  David’s heartfelt response was, “I have sinned against the Lord.”   In Psalm 51:1-4 and 17, David expresses his broken heart over his sin and his need for forgiveness:

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.  Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight. So that You are justified when You speak and blameless when you judge… A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

God’s Word is clear that we all have sinned:

Romans 3:10 There is no one righteous, not even one.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

We all deserve God’s judgment!  But here is the good news! When we turn to God acknowledging our sin and asking for forgiveness, we have His promise of forgiveness and cleansing through our faith in Jesus who paid the penalty for our sins. I love these verses from Psalm 103:11-12:

As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. [Notice the word “removed.”  He doesn’t just forgive us; He removes our sin!]

How can God say of us that we are a man or woman after His own heart?  I believe He is looking for one who is completely devoted to a personal relationship with Him above all else, one who is willing to do His will, one who is seeking to please Him in all that we do, one who trusts Him no matter what the circumstances we are experiencing.

I love the way David calls the Lord “My God.”  He has a very personal relationship with the Lord!  Throughout Psalm 86, he acknowledges his trust in the Lord to deliver him from his affliction. As followers of Jesus, we can claim for ourselves David’s declarations about the Lord in this psalm:

The Lord is listening and will answer prayer.

The Lord is good and ready to forgive.

He is abundant in lovingkindness (mercy; unfailing love) to all who call upon Him.

There is no other god like our God.  He is great and does wondrous deeds.

He delivers our souls.

He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

He offers grace and strength, help and comfort.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Can you say with David, “I am a godly man (or woman)?  Why, or why not?

How are you encouraged by David’s prayers and his knowledge of God in this psalm?

Do you ever have trouble forgiving yourself even after you have repented and asked God to forgive you? 

Ask God to give you a deep understanding of His love and forgiveness and help you see yourself as He sees you – as His beloved man or woman after His own heart.

Consider writing your own prayer to God in response to this truth.

Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever.

Psalm 86:11-12

This prayer of King David gives us a glimpse into his longing for God — to know Him more, to have an undivided heart of love and reverence for Him, and to live daily in the center of His will. David clearly expresses his desire to faithfully follow God’s plan for his life, and to have a heart filled with gratitude.  That was David’s prayer, and I want to pray that same prayer!

“Unite my heart” is the phrase that stood out to me this week from Psalm 86 as I studied for my women’s Bible study. What does it mean to have a “united” (or undivided) heart?  The Greek word means to “enter into the plan or thinking.” So, when I ask God to unite my heart, I am telling Him that I am available to follow His plan and His thoughts instead of being continually caught up in my own plans and desires.

            It helped me to think about what would be the opposite of a “united heart.”  If my heart is not intentionally tuned into God’s heart and His plan for each day, I can become distracted, frustrated, overwhelmed, anxious, feeling the need to be in control.  What a difference it makes when I start my day with the Lord with the same prayer and desire that David expressed in this psalm: “Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth.  I want to love You with my whole heart, live out Your plan for the day.  I ask for Your plan for my time and activities.”

I realize that this heart of love for God can’t come from just trying harder.  I have to do what David did – Ask God to create it in me!  And it is developed in a daily, life-long relationship with Him.  God’s Word tells us that the two great commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). So, we can be assured that if we ask Him for a heart to love Him and follow Him this way, He will be delighted to answer that prayer.

            I notice in this psalm that David says several times “I will…”  He is making a choice to walk with the Lord and give thanks with all his heart.  I want to do the same.

David’s prayer also reminds me to keep focused on “one moment at a time” instead of looking ahead at the long list of activities planned for the day, or the week, or next month!  I want to enjoy each moment because the Lord is with me at all times, and I want Him to direct my path.

Another Scripture I love so much is 2 Chronicles 16:9: “The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” Think about that!  The Lord is actually looking for people who are seeking Him with all their heart so that He can help! I pray often that when God looks at me, He will see a heart that is completely His, completely devoted to Him and His plan for my life.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Can you identify with David’s desire to have a “united” heart and to be following God’s plan?

If not, you can ask Him to create that desire in you.  That is a prayer God delights to answer!

Are there circumstances in your life that cause you to fear so that you focus on the problems instead of being able to cry out to God for help?

Ask God to search your heart and show you if there is anything that needs to change. Let’s remember to praise Him and have a heart filled with gratitude for who He is and what He has done for us!

Yet will I exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength.

Habakkuk 3:18-19

This may be familiar to you because I posted it last year.  But as I read it again this week, it is a message I needed to be reminded of as the world is focused on the war in Ukraine.  Maybe you need this encouragement too. It is so true with world events today!

It seemed strange when someone at church suggested that I read the book of Habakkuk, one of the Old Testament prophets.  I had read it a long time ago in a Bible study, but I decided to read it again this week.  It’s very short, only three chapters.  But I’ve been reading it and thinking about it all week.  The prophet Habakkuk is crying out to God with his complaints about the condition of his world (between 612 and 589 B.C.).  He sees that violence is everywhere…evil deeds, misery, surrounded by people who love to argue and fight… no justice in the courts…The wicked far outnumber the righteous…

As we look at the current events taking place in the world today, we might be tempted to ask the same thing that Habakkuk asked: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen!”  The devastation of earthquakes, floods, fires, wars, the pandemic which has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, hospitals full to overflowing, and disruption of our way of life with business and schools, the political dissension, the heartbreaking situation in Afghanistan…  The list can go on and on. 

The Lord’s response to Habakkuk was “Look around at the nations, look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”  He tells Habakkuk of the judgment that He is bringing on His people in Judah.  The Lord goes on to tell Habakkuk “This vision is for a future time.  It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.  It will not be delayed.” 

After Habakkuk’s conversations and questions about what God was doing, he concludes by declaring his faith in God: 

Habakkuk 3:16 (NLT) I will wait quietly for the coming day… Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

I am greatly encouraged by the reminder I read in the footnotes of my NLT Life Application Study Bible:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 “Habakkuk affirmed that even in the times of starvation and loss, he would still rejoice in the Lord.  His feelings were not controlled by the events around him but by faith in God’s ability to give him strength.  When nothing makes sense, and when troubles seem more than you can bear, remember that God gives strength…. Habakkuk saw his own limitations in contrast to God’s unlimited power and control of all the world’s events.  God is alive and in control of the world and its events.  We cannot see all that God is doing, and we cannot see all that God will do.  But we can be assured that he is God and will do what is right.  Knowing this can give us confidence and hope in a confusing world.”

            We can pray for strength to hold on to the truth that God is sovereignly in control of all the events of our lives, even though we can’t see an answer.  We can ask Him for faith to keep on believing that He sees what we are going through and promises to provide what we need in His time.  He promises that He is with us and will never leave us.  We can wait patiently and rejoice in Him as we trust.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What situation in your life causes you to respond as Habakkuk did?  “How long, O Lord, must I cry out to You?”  And you can’t see an answer.  Maybe there is an ongoing health issue, or a broken relationship, financial burdens, unsaved loved ones, wayward children, death of a loved one…

Can you pray and trust God as you fill in the blank:  Even though ______________________________, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength.

You may want to write a prayer to God expressing your need, your trust, your commitment to rejoice in His strength as you wait for His answer.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Proverbs 21:1

This scripture came to mind this week as I was praying about the war in Ukraine.  I read the verse in several versions of the Bible and looked at footnotes and commentaries for further explanation.  I came across a sidebar in the margin by Dr. David Jeremiah in the New King James Study Bible that helped me understand:  

“Government was never meant to reflect a Christian’s total value system—it can never do that in a pluralistic society.  Still, we can become discouraged when we see our leaders pursuing policies that are contrary to God’s values.

What we must remember is that something else is going on behind the scenes.  This is a theme of Proverbs 8:15, 16: “By Me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.  By Me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.”  But 21:1 is the verse that we probably know best: The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

God turns the heart of leaders like a farmer directs water down an irrigation ditch.  World events and the decisions made by the most powerful men and women in the world do not happen apart from God’s sovereignty.  He is not blind to what is going on.  Neither is He surprised by anything that occurs.

Knowing that God is in control and His will cannot be thwarted, we can pray for our leaders with wisdom and hope – even when we don’t agree with their policies.”

Dr. David Jeremiah’s words are a strong reminder of God’s sovereignty over all world events. He knows what is happening.  He has a purpose for what He allows.  I pray for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ to be strengthened in their faith, to be trusting God completely, and to be God’s light in the devastation and darkness of the war surrounding them.  May many people turn their hearts to God for salvation.

I’m encouraged by these Scriptures which offer hope and God’s promise of His presence:

Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord before me continually.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

We are not experiencing war in our country, but many are suffering!  If you are experiencing fear, ill health, uncertainty, possible loss of home, job, financial security, …  will you cry out to the Lord and trust His promises?  He hears you and promises to be with you.

How can you encourage someone else who may be suffering?  We can ask God to give us words of encouragement from His Word.

I will bless the Lord at all times.  His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 34:1

If you were fleeing from someone who was intent on killing you, would you be able to speak these words from your heart? According to a commentary, David probably wrote this psalm while hiding in a cave, knowing that King Saul was pursuing him to kill him.  You can read about this in 1 Samuel, chapter 20.  David had been warned by King Saul’s son Jonathan, and David fled.

            Think about this.  How was David able to focus on praise and encouraging others when his life was in danger? The answer is in the rest of the psalm.  “I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (verse 4).  “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them” (verse 7).  “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry” (verses 15). 

            It was David’s knowledge of God and faith in His promises and constant presence that caused Him to praise instead of fear in spite of life-threatening danger. 

            As I write these words, war has just begun in Ukraine.  Russian forces have begun bombing.  A natural reaction would be fear, even for those of us thousands of miles away.  But for those who know the Lord, we can choose to trust God – no matter what!  Here’s a summary of David’s encouraging words from Psalm 34 that I will choose to follow.  Be encouraged as you read his words:

Praise God continually (Remember who God is and what He has done in the past.)

Boast in the Lord (Trust Him, not our own strength or abilities.)

Magnify and exalt the Lord together (Be in community with other believers for encouragement and remind each other of our Lord and His promises.)

Seek the Lord (Cry out to Him in times of trouble.  He hears and answers and saves. Get to know Him better through spending time in the Word, meditating on His promises, and prayer.)

Fear Him (Have reverent respect and obedience as you follow Him.)

Take refuge in Him (He hears when we cry out to Him.  He answers, delivers, saves those who take refuge in Him. In times of trouble, we can be confident in His power and constant presence with us.)

Listen (Choose to obey what we hear Him say to us.)

Keep from evil; do good; seek peace (Keep following Jesus! He is the One who will bring justice.)

I’m challenged by David’s words to praise the Lord continually – no matter how I feel – no matter what the circumstances.  Those who trust in Him have no cause to fear.  I’m convinced of God’s knowledge of what is going on at all times, and He is sovereign over all things. 

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Are you experiencing fearful circumstances in your life right now?  How are you encouraged by these words?

Maybe you know someone who needs to hear this truth from God’s Word. We can ask the Lord for opportunities to share encouragement with others.

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…

Psalm 27:4a

If you could ask the Lord for one thing, what would it be?  This week I wrote discussion questions for my women’s Bible study on Psalm 27.  I love the way David expressed his “one thing” desire – to seek the Lord, and to “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.”  At the time David was living, that is where God’s presence was known, in the holy of holies in the tabernacle, and later in the temple that David’s son Solomon built.

But now, as those who have received the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, we are the temple of God, and His Holy Spirit lives in us! (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).  Stop for a moment, and let that truth sink into your heart!  We don’t have to travel to a temple to meet with the Lord.  He is with us at all times and promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  The Holy Spirit lives in us! I wish I had known that earlier in my life!

In John 6:38, we read Jesus’ “one thing” desire: “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him [the Father] who sent Me.”  If our desire is to do the will of the Father, we need to depend on the Holy Spirit in us to lead us and show us God’s will, and then trust Him to give us all that we need to do it! We can even ask God to change our hearts and give us that desire.

I love the promise in Luke 11:13 (New Living Translation): “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” The Holy Spirit comes to live in every believer at the moment of salvation.  The “much more” God tells us to ask for, I believe, is more awareness of His constant presence, more awareness of our need to depend on Him for the ability to hear His voice as He speaks to us and leads us according to the Father’s will.  As we experience more and more of His presence in our lives, we become more like Jesus, listening to Him, obeying, following His will and purpose for our lives. We can trust Him throughout every day, knowing that He loves us and that nothing touches our lives without His knowledge and permission.

David cried out to the Lord with his desire, and the Lord answered, “Seek My face.”  And David responded, “My heart said to You, Your face, O Lord, I shall seek” (Psalm 27:8). So, what does it mean to seek the Lord’s face? It means to spend time with Him regularly, getting to know Him better as we read His Word, to see who He is and what He has done for us.  As we begin to understand how much He loves and cares for us, we will have a deepening relationship with Him that will strengthen our faith to trust Him with every moment of our lives, and make us willing daily to follow His will and purpose for our lives, no matter what!

Daniel Henderson, author of the book “Transforming Prayer,” says this about seeking God:

God calls us to an intimate encounter as we pursue Him with all our hearts.  In my understanding, to seek his face means to set our hearts to seek Him in worship with biblical understanding, submitting completely to the control of His Spirit with a longing to know and enjoy Him more.  Again, it is not about rehearsing a quick list of needs with God, but seeking Him because of who He is, with a passion for deeper intimacy and experience of His presence.  

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What is the “one thing” you would ask from the Lord?

He invites us to ask for more of His Holy Spirit.  Do you want more of His presence and power in your life?  He delights in answering that prayer.

What steps will you take to seek His face?

I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail.  And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

Luke 22:32

On the night of Jesus’ last Passover supper with His disciples, He told them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, “I will strike down the shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.” Jesus knew that He would be betrayed and arrested that night, and knew all that He would be crucified the very next day. But He lovingly took the time to give Peter ahead of time a message he would desperately need to hear.

Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crowed the next morning, he would deny even knowing Jesus three times. Peter heroically responded immediately, “Lord, Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny You.” Jesus told Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, and once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”  (I love the New Living translation of Jesus’ words: “So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”)

You may be very familiar with the story.  Jesus was betrayed and arrested that night in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was taken to the house of the high priest and spent the night being questioned by the Jewish authorities.  Peter was waiting in the courtyard, warming himself by the fire.  Three times during the night, he was recognized and accused of being with Jesus.  And three times Peter denied it, even cursing and swearing, saying he did not even know Jesus.  But when he heard the rooster crow in the morning, he remembered Jesus’ words, and he began to weep. His failure to keep his promise to the Lord he loved was devastating.

The words in Luke 22:32, that Jesus had prayed for Peter, are the words God spoke to my heart after my own devastating experience of turning away from Him.  You may have read my story before. After many years of knowing God and even teaching His Word, I turned away from Him and became involved in an affair that nearly destroyed my marriage. After several months of separation and planning to divorce, God called me back home.   But I’m thinking a lot about faith now as I am currently writing Bible studies from the book of Psalms.  I’m reminded again of God’s words to Peter that are so precious to me.  The Lord had prayed for me, as He had for Peter, that my faith would not fail.  And when I turned back to Him, I knew I was forgiven.  I knew He still loved me.  His love, His grace, His mercy, His power to change my heart and my marriage have created an unshakeable foundation of trust in my Lord.

I received the words Jesus spoke to Peter as His words to me: “When you have returned to Me, strengthen your brothers” (and I always add “sisters!”).  God could have set me aside as useless.  But He called me back to Himself, restored me, as He restored Peter, and He has given me a ministry of encouraging others by writing and leading women’s Bible studies and weekly devotional messages.

Romans 8:34 tells us that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us! I believe He is praying for us that our faith will not fail.  He knows the temptations we will face, and He has given His followers all that we need to resist those temptations as we trust Him and depend on His Holy Spirit living in us to strengthen us. And when we fall, He is there to hear our cry for help, and He will deliver us. 

Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Can you identify with Peter in his failure?

Will you choose to receive God’s loving words of forgiveness and restoration, knowing that He prays for you?

How do you respond to the knowledge that He is praying for you?

You may want to write a prayer expressing your heart.

We walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7

One of my favorite men of the Bible is Abraham.  What impresses me so much is his absolute faith in God.  In Genesis 12:1-4 we read: “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing… So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him.

Hebrews 11:8 says “By faith Abraham (called Abram until God later changed his name), when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”  That’s what I love so much about him.  He didn’t argue with God, he didn’t complain about leaving his family, he didn’t require a road map of where he would be going or any details about what life would be like if he obeyed.  God said “Go,” and Abram went! 

God had promised Abram that he would be the father of many nations.  Romans 4:19-21 tells of the impossibility of that promise being fulfilled in human terms:  Without becoming weak in faith, he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

And then we read in Genesis 21 about the birth of Isaac, at the time God had appointed.  Imagine the joy of God’s promise fulfilled after so many years of waiting!  But some years later, chapter 22 begins with God testing Abraham’s faith.  He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Verse 3 says, “So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son, and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.” There is no mention of Abraham arguing with God or delaying to follow His command.  He left early the next morning!

Abraham prepared all he would need for the sacrifice of his son.  He had the knife ready in his hand to slay Isaac.  At that moment, Abraham heard an angel of the Lord calling to him from heaven.  He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”  Abraham looked up, and just behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.  Again, God clearly told Abram to “Go,” and he went!

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  We can’t see all that God is doing.  But if we belong to Him, we can wholeheartedly trust His promises in His Word.  Here are some of God’s promises that I keep on my desk to review often:

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.  [One of the Hebrew names of God is El Roi, the God who sees.]

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

John10:4 When He puts forth all His own, He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice.

From Jesus Calling, October 27th:  As you become increasingly aware of My Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go… Instead of wondering about what is on the road ahead or worrying about what you should do if…or when…, you can concentrate on staying in communication with Me.  When you actually arrive at a choice-point, I will show you which direction to go.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How have you experienced God’s leading in your life? 

Can you think of something He has called you to do that seems impossible?

Will you follow Abraham’s example and just obey without question when God has made it clear what He wants you to do?

What would keep you from doing what He asks?

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

After praying and asking the Lord what message to write this week, I picked up one of my journals and read a prayer I had written a year ago on January 1^st:

“Lord, I want this year to be one of growing closer and more in love with You, to be more of a worshiper, to reflect you to others.  I want to be more compassionate, more generous, more loving. This morning I was looking at the snow globe lantern Dave gave me for Christmas.  When the battery is turned off, it’s still pretty.  But when I turn it on, it glows and sparkles and swirls with colorful glitter.  I noticed the beautiful reflection on a mug close by. That reminded me that as I walk daily with Jesus, with the Holy Spirit in me, I am to be a reflection of His glory.  It’s like the sun and the moon – the moon shines but has no light of its own.  It is a reflection of the light from the sun.  I am to be a reflection of the Son, the light of the world.  Let His light shine through me so that others will see and be drawn to Him, the Son-light!”

As I was beginning to write this message today, I had a candle burning on the table next to me.  I love the warm glow and the fragrance, and I was reminded of the friend who gave it to me as a gift.  In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that “You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

I started thinking about how our good works can reflect Jesus, and I remembered Ephesians 2:10:  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. It is clear from verse 9 that we are not saved by good works, we are saved by faith.  But our good works should reflect the character of Jesus so that others will be drawn to Him.

As I follow Jesus, I want to remember that everything I do is to be done as unto Him, through His Spirit in me. He is the one to receive the glory.  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever (Romans 11:36).

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How are you challenged to let your light shine? 

What has God called you to do for Him?

What gifts has He given you that cause His light to be reflected through you to others?

How does God receive the glory for the good works you do?

Be doers of the Word, not merely hearers.

James 1:22

A hearing test this week confirmed my suspicions — I need hearing aids.  It’s no surprise, but I’ve been putting it off for a while.  I don’t want to admit that I’m getting older and I can’t hear as well as I used to.

But it made me start thinking about “spiritual hearing.”  We have a God who speaks to us! Hebrews 1:1 reminds us that in the past, God spoke to the people of Israel through prophets.  Now He speaks to us through His own Son, Jesus, who is the Word of God.  And He speaks to us through the written word, the Bible.  He speaks through the Holy Spirit who is the “still small voice saying, This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). 

How do we hear God speaking to us?  What is necessary for us to be able to hear God’s voice?  If we belong to Him through faith in Jesus and have surrendered our lives to Him, we have the ability to hear Him. John 10:27 tells us: My sheep hear my voice.  I know them, and they follow me. We are His sheep!

In any relationship, it is important to spend time with the person, talking and listening, sharing our thoughts, getting to know each other.  So true in our relationship with God! We need to set aside time to be with Him. It helps to find a time and a place where we can be alone, without distractions. He calls us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  It’s often easier to just do all the talking, telling God about all my needs and the needs of others.  But I am learning the importance of asking Him to quiet my heart and mind of all other distractions and help me just to listen.  I saw an interesting quote recently:  “SILENT AND LISTEN have all the same letters.”

The book Transforming Prayer by Daniel Henderson challenges us to “seek God’s face before we seek His hand” – to focus on God Himself and worship Him for who He is and what He has done before we bring our requests.  He reminds us that God already knows everything that is going on in our lives.  Starting with worship has changed my prayer life! 

Not only are we able to hear God speaking to us, but He hears us when we talk to Him!  My women’s Bible study focused on Psalm 40 the last couple of weeks. Verse 1 tells us He “inclines” His ear to us or “turns” to us and hears our cry.  The picture that comes to my mind is the Lord actually leaning in close to us, paying attention to us when we’re talking to Him.  He’s with us always.  Psalm 121:1 promises that our God will never slumber nor sleep.  He watches over us at all times.

The book of Revelation repeats many times this phrase: “He who has ears, let him hear.”  James 1:22 commands us not just to hear but to obey – to “be doers of the Word, not merely hearers.” I don’t want to be spiritually “hard of hearing.”  Instead, I want to have a “heart of hearing.” My prayer is for a heart that is tuned to hear God’s voice.  I want to grow more deeply in love with Him and be willing to follow wherever He leads.  I want to have a heart that trusts Him for whatever He has planned. 

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How is your “spiritual hearing?”  Can you hear God calling you to an even deeper love relationship?  How will you respond?

Are you listening for God’s voice? What has He said to you today? Are you willing to obey?

Is time alone with God a priority in your life? We can ask God to change our heart to give us that desire.

How could you adjust your schedule to make time with Him a priority?

Cease striving and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

What symptoms do you experience when you are “striving?” At times, I feel anxious, unsettled, lack of peace, burdened instead of joyful. Even when I am doing what I know for sure it’s what God has called me to do! For many years I have been leading weekly Bible studies and writing my own lessons.  And more recently I have been writing weekly devotional messages to post on my website.  When there is a deadline coming up, I can begin to feel anxious if I haven’t completed the writing. There are times when I feel like I am not doing enough, or there’s more I could (or should) be doing. 

Feeling anxious or burdened is evidence that I am not fully trusting God to provide what I need to accomplish what He has asked me to do.  I am trying to figure things out on my own, trying to make something happen without depending completely on Him.  When these anxious feelings arise, I need to remind myself of God’s personal invitation:

Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened (heavy-laden) and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Notice the word “rest” is used twice in this verse!)

Rest is what God desires for us to experience, even in the midst of the work He has designed and equipped us for. I want to joyfully accept His invitation!

What is the connection between “being still” and “knowing that He is God” in Psalm 46:10? The Greek word “cease striving” or “be still” means to relax; to become limp; to leave alone.  The Greek word for “know” means to learn; perceive; discern; experience; know relationally and experientially.  It is the same Greek word used in Psalm 139:4 describing how God knows us: “You have searched me and known me.  You know when I sit down and when I rise up.  You are intimately acquainted with all my ways, even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all.”

The Lord sees our hearts.  He sees when we are doing “good things” with the wrong attitude.  I often am reminded of Jesus’ words to Martha in Luke 10:38-42.  She was complaining that Mary was just sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him and not helping with all the preparations of a meal for Jesus and His disciples.  The Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” 

What do we know about God that we can trust to give us “rest” instead of our “striving?”

Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in need.  He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

Jeremiah 29:11 He knows the plans He has for me.

Hebrews 13:5 He will never leave me nor forsake me.

Luke 1:37 Nothing is impossible for God.

Ephesians 3:20 He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.

When I am feeling anxious or burdened, I need to stop and ask God for a change of heart.  I need to respond to His call to “Come to Him and find rest for my soul.”  Instead of striving, He calls us to abide in Him and rest — trusting, listening, surrendering, waiting patiently, depending on Him completely for what He wants to accomplish in us and through us.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What circumstances in your life cause you to feel anxious, unsettled, lack of peace, or burdened?

Which of these Scriptures speaks to your heart to restore your rest in the midst of the circumstances?

So often in the Psalms we are reminded to cry out to God with our needs.  His Word assures us that He hears our cry, and He answers us.

Consider writing a prayer to God expressing your feelings and your response to Him.

He will not allow your foot to slip.

Psalm 121:3

 Ray was 65 years old.  He was ready to attempt his first steps since the stroke seven months earlier had left him confined to a wheelchair.  He was in a physical therapy session where I was volunteering as the aide.  I could see the fear in Ray’s eyes.  It was nearly his turn, and I was waiting with him, encouraging him.  “Please don’t be afraid, Ray.  We’ll be right here, and I promise we will not let you fall.” The physical therapist said it was time. 

                The plan was to “walk” between the parallel bars with the assistance of the physical therapist and me as the aide.  Since Ray had no voluntary control of his left leg, it had to be lifted for him and placed ahead of his right leg.  That’s what I was able to do for him during that session.  With much pain and intense concentration, Ray would then raise his right leg and take a step.  That was the procedure until he reached the end of the parallel bars.  The whole time, he was being physically held up by the therapist as Ray balanced himself holding onto the bars.  It was slow and laborious, and he was completely exhausted at the end of the trip.

                During the next session later in the week, it was my turn to hold Ray and keep him from falling as he repeated the journey.  It was just as painful and just as exhausting for him, but this time he was able to complete a round trip, twice as long as two days earlier!  We were so proud of him and delighted with his progress!  We all congratulated him and rejoiced in his success that day.

                I personally identify with Ray’s painful steps of learning to walk again – not physically, but emotionally and spiritually.  It has been many years now, but it was a lesson I will never forget. After several months of walking away from the Lord, and walking away from my marriage, God mercifully called me back.  And my husband mercifully agreed that I could come home and we would work on our broken marriage.  Through many difficult and painful months of counseling, our marriage was restored. 

It reminds me of Ray. As he took his first “steps,” there is no way that he could have taken even one of them by himself.  He needed someone to hold him up and even to lift one foot in front of the other for him.  God gave me the understanding that my steps of healing were the same.  He knows I couldn’t have taken even the first step to return home without Him holding me up and giving me the strength to do it.  The same was true for each painful step that followed. 

I understand now how delighted God is with our small steps of faith as we walk with Him in our life journey.   He understands the pain we experience when we falter.  I experience His delight in my trust as I walk with Him now each day. I am encouraged to continue on the path He has chosen for me, trusting fully in each next step.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How would you describe your journey with the Lord? 

Can you identify with the need to be held up by Him, unsure of each next step in front of you?

Here are some Scriptures that I find helpful:

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”

Isaiah 41:10

Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you; surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. 

Jude 1:24-25

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy…

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

As we enter the New Year, I’m sure 2021 is a year we will never forget.  No one has escaped the impact of the pandemic which has altered our lives in so many ways.  And we’ve read about the unprecedented devastation of fires and tornados, drought and floods in our own country and around the world.  But in the midst of all of this, I am reminded to lift my eyes to the Lord. and not become overwhelmed by all the changes we are experiencing.  I pray that you will be encouraged to do the same.

Psalm 121 is one of the songs the people of Israel would sing as they made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times each year to celebrate what God had done for them.  They celebrated the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.  As they came near to Jerusalem from distant parts of the land, they would “lift their eyes” and see Mount Zion where Jerusalem was located, the place where the temple was built for God’s dwelling place on earth.  As they journeyed and sang, they would be reminded of their God who brought them out of slavery in Egypt and brought them to the land He had promised their ancestor Abraham so long ago.

The psalmist begins with his declaration of looking to God. He then asks the question, “Where does my help come from?”  And the answer is in verse 2:  My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He could have just said, “My help comes from the Lord.”  But the added phrase “who made heaven and earth” reminds us of the Lord’s amazing power. He is the Creator of all things! His power is unlimited!

As followers of Jesus, we have a choice.  When everything around us seems hopeless and totally out of control, in the midst of fear, devastation, the changes in the world all around us, we may be tempted to give in to fear and despair.  Or we can choose to lift our eyes to the Lord in these dark days. God has not changed.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  He is still in sovereign control of the earth He created! He knows everything that we are going through at every moment.  That is what I want to remember in this changing world. 

As I was preparing to write this devotional, I thought about what Peter experienced.  You probably know the story from Matthew 14:22-33.  After the miracle of feeding the 5,000, Jesus had sent the disciples to the other side of the lake in a boat.  Before they reached the other side, Jesus came to them walking on the water!  The disciples were terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost.  Jesus said, “It is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said, “If it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”  Jesus said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  Until he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the wind and waves surrounding him.  That’s when he began to sink.  He cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!”  Jesus immediately stretched out His hand and took hold of Peter.

Jesus hears us when we call out to Him.  His Word is full of promises that we can cling to when we feel like we are sinking.  One of the best ways to “lift our eyes” to the Lord is to call out to Him for help.  Get to know Him through His Word.  Here are just a few of the Scriptures I choose to focus on: 

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 62:1-2 My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him comes my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

I love the song by Bebo Norman called “I Will Lift My Eyes.”  You can listen to it on YouTube, but here is the refrain that is repeated several times:

I will lift my eyes to the Maker Of the mountains I can’t climb

I will lift my eyes to the Calmer Of the oceans raging wild

I will lift my eyes to the Healer Of the hurt I hold inside

I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

In this New Year, instead of dwelling on all the negative issues surrounding us, let’s remember to celebrate who God is and remember what He has done. Instead of fear and despair, we can live in trust and dependence on our sovereign God who loves us and is in complete control of our lives.

Let’s look for ways to encourage others who are struggling in these fearful and changing times.

What is your best way of lifting your eyes to the Lord when you are surrounded by the “wind and waves” like Peter was? I encourage you to make a list of Scriptures that you can turn to often to be reminded of God’s love and His promises to you.  It helps to write them out on a notecard and keep them handy!

We need to stay connected with other followers of Jesus in order to be encouraged and to encourage others.  Do you have a friend or group of friends to help you stay strong when you are facing difficult situations in your life?  If not, ask God to bring someone into your life for that kind of relationship.

Consider writing a prayer to God declaring your trust in His promises and His faithfulness.

Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

I started writing this a couple of weeks ago, and I think it’s still worth posting it now, even though Christmas will already be over by the time you read it.  Here’s how I started writing:

            It’s December, and I decided to start reading the Christmas story to prepare my heart for the season.  I began reading in Luke, chapter 1.  I’ve read it and heard it every year for decades. I was part of many Christmas programs at church as a kid and had to memorize lots of lines of Scripture.  I know a lot about Jesus coming to earth as a baby in a manger. 

But as I started reading Luke last week, I was aware that I was just reading familiar words without my heart even being engaged.  I stopped reading for a while and prayed.  I asked God to break through the familiar words and give me fresh understanding, a renewed wonder and awe of what God has done for us in sending His Son to earth for us.

Recently I picked up one of my journals that I have been writing for many years.  I read a prayer that I wrote On January 1, 2016.

“Lord, this is my prayer for the beginning of the New Year:  Please open my eyes, my ears, my heart, my spirit to all that you want me to receive from you.  And help me to give back to you a heart that loves you with my whole heart, soul and mind.  I don’t want to ever be in a place where I am just going through the motions or caught in a routine when you are desiring more than that.  I want to have a heart of worship that ignites everything I do, every day!”

That is a prayer I want to pray often, especially now with the beginning of another New Year. I realize that familiarity with Scripture can be an issue for me any time I pick up the Bible to read!  I’m reminded now to pray each time I read — to God for fresh understanding and a heart that is ready to respond to the truth I am reading.

            This is the prayer I wrote the next day, January 2, 2016:

“I have so much head knowledge about You after so many years of church and Bible study.  But I long for more of You! Will you meet with me in a new and deeper way of just being with you and falling more in love with you and walking with you throughout every day – aware of your presence – not just as the One who designs each day and empowers me to accomplish your plan, but to just be with you moment by moment.  Please grow that seed of love and worship and cause it to bear fruit for you, and then spread to others.” 

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Can you identify with being so familiar with Scripture that it’s easy to read without having your mind and heart engaged in what you’re reading?

Can you pray the same prayers I prayed asking God for a deeper awareness of His presence and a deeper love for Him?

You may want to write a prayer of your own expressing your thoughts to God.

Luke 1:38

Try to imagine what it would have been like for the young Jewish girl Mary when the angel Gabriel appeared to her with this message from God: Greetings favored one! The Lord is with you.  Scripture tells us that Mary was very perplexed and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.  The angel said,

Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end (Luke 1:32-33) 

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most high will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:34-35).

Gabriel also told Mary that her relative Elizabeth, who had been barren, had conceived a child in her old age and was now in her sixth month.  He said, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:36-37).

I love Mary’s answer to Gabriel: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).  That is the answer I want to have in my heart when I know God is calling me to do something.  And I want to remember always the promise that “nothing will be impossible with God.”

I sometimes think about how amazing it would be to have an angel show up and tell me exactly what was going to happen, or what decision I should make. But now, as believers in Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit actually living in us!  He doesn’t just appear once in a while and then leave.  He lives in us and promises He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). We are told to ask Him, and wait expectantly for His guidance, to listen for His still small voice saying “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21.

When I knew God was calling me to create a website and begin publishing weekly devotionals, that seemed impossible at first.  I’ve never done anything like setting up a website.  I went to other websites about how to create one, and found promises of “just a few easy steps.”  I think one said in 17 minutes you can have a website up and running.  Well, maybe for some people, but not for me!  I printed many pages describing how to do it, but at times I seriously felt like giving up.  I look back and think, “How did it get done?”  The answer is that God led each step, and brought just the right people at just the right time to help when I felt like giving up. 

The same was true when I knew God was calling me to compile the devotionals into a book. That was not even on my radar screen of things to do – until three different people in about a 3-week period asked if I had ever considered compiling my devotionals into a book.  Each of them knew people they would like to give a book to. Each time I said, “No, that’s not something I’m considering.”  But after three times, I began to think maybe it was God’s plan for me to do that.  I have a dear friend who had already self-published quite a few books on Amazon.  She was more than willing to help me get started, and she was there all along until the project was completed!  Again, I look back and think, “How did that get done?”  And the answer is the same – God led each step and provided what I needed to make it happen. 

I’m learning how important it is not just to pray and talk to God about everything, but to take time to be still and listen. He says that He is our Shepherd and we are His sheep, and His sheep know His voice (John 10:3-4).  He may have plans for us that we would never sign up for.  But think about what we would miss out on if we don’t ask Him, or if we are unwilling to follow His plan.  His thoughts and ways are so much higher than our thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).

To know God, to love Him, and follow Him wherever He leads is what He desires.  He doesn’t promise it will be easy.  Think for a moment about what Mary must have gone through, becoming pregnant before her marriage to Joseph.  What would Joseph think?  What would her parents think?  What would her community think?  She didn’t ask for a complete roadmap for the rest of her life.  She simply believed Gabriel’s message, and she gave birth to the Son of God, the Messiah!

I want to have a willing heart like Mary.  I want to say to the Lord, “Be it done to me according to Your will.”  I want to trust Him to accomplish whatever plan He has for my life.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Has God asked you to do something that seems impossible? 

What would keep you from doing what He asks?

What will you say to Him?

What promises can you claim that will help you take the next step of obedience?