The buds on the camelia outside my window survived the January frost again this year—a hint of full blossoms to come. During frosty troubles we too long for perfect days to bloom. “Somewhere deep within each of us is a desire, a longing for a world very different from our own. …The stunning beauty of a sunset, the awe of starry heavens, a deeply moving story or poem, can arouse within us for a brief moment an awareness and desire for our true home.”**
Excuses were rampant. It’s not the right time (Haggai 1:2). We have to panel our own houses (Haggai 1:3). We don’t have enough food nor drink nor warm clothes nor money (Haggai 1:6). But God was quick to counter: your problems are of your own doing (Haggai 1:9-11).
The term providence came to my attention this past year. Frankly, I didn’t know how to define providence; I had to look it up: “The theological doctrine of providence is that God both possesses and exercises absolute power over all the works of his hands.”* Constable goes on to say, and this I love, that providence means “the hand of God is in the glove of human events.”*
Based upon this biblical definition, believing failure to be beyond God’s redemptive grace, self-deprecating thoughts, and chronic negative attitudes qualify as strongholds. This sobering awareness challenges me to carefully evaluate any thinking pattern that limits my ability to know God as He truly is.
Jesus comes to help with my struggles just as He came to Joshua. Because He is with me, I will never face a battle alone. He is still the Commander of the hosts and has given me His promise, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5b).
Flood water at the recreational complex as well as the Old Testament story of crossing the Jordan River at flood stage provide useful images of how sin creates a barrier between us and God. Only a holy, sinless, and perfectly righteous person has the authority to make a way for me to receive God’s precious promises of forgiveness of sin, salvation, and eternal life with Him.
God asks me to trust Him in both big and small situations, just as He asked the Israelites to trust Him for crossing the river. God’s previous faithfulness in my life plus biblical examples like the crossing of the Jordan fuel my trust in Him for facing new personal challenges. I have learned to trust that He holds me safely in His grip of love—just as He does for everyone who belongs to Him.
Jenny, an elderly donkey, failed to show up for her daily serving of grain. After several days I decided to search for her. I walked acres of pasture with the hood of my jacket pulled tight under my chin. I repeatedly called her name then paused to listen for her distinctive brae. I thought of Jesus as I trudged along, when he told the parable of the shepherd who leaves the flock of sheep to search for the missing lamb—an illustration of God searching for the lost.
My Mother's favorite flowers were violets and she grew them outside along our picket fence near the edge of the sidewalk. These small purple blooms sat low to the ground, vulnerable to careless feet that might trample them unnoticed. However small, humble things are often the most profound!
The underlying message resounded clearly. Do I matter to anyone? Does anyone care enough to stick with me? Will I ever be loved? What is wrong with me?
A repeated command found throughout the Psalms is, Sing a new song to the Lord. 'A new song' refers to a song that is not common to this world. In other words, the follower of Jesus learns songs that the world cannot teach.
esus wants to give us perfect peace. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5a). Can't you just see Jesus standing guard over us with His mighty arms crossed and a look on His face that says, "Just try it!" as our enemies cower into the shadows? With our Great Shepherd watching, what do we have to fear? We are free to rest, eat slowly, and know we are protected.
The widow was out of money and her creditor was threatening to enslave her sons. She turned to the prophet Elisha, who asked her what she had at home. She responded that she had nothing except a little oil. Nothing, except... I have used those words. Have you?
Would you describe yourself as spiritually strong? There are many times in my past I have been spiritually weak. I lacked courage to speak truth. I focused on the "impossible" and was hesitant to move forward in faith, or I allowed difficulty to halt my spiritual growth. Can you relate?
After fifteen years as a stay-at-home mom, I entered the workforce a few months ago. I feel like I live in the land of "I don't know what I'm doing" much of the time. That sort of feeling wears on my confidence. It makes me doubt my skills and results. It makes me tentative and unwilling to take risks and try new things. It makes me waver and lean toward whatever opinion my ears hear.
The truth is, I am a “regretter” We regretters have nets that we can cast wide and deep to dredge up something we said or did a week or a lifetime ago, then we fret and regret , chew and stew. Trust me, such a mindset is not the product of a sensitive conscience or a tender heart. Such foolishness comes from a particularly insidious form of legalism that believes that the kingdom of God is dependent on our flawless performance rather than God’s power through us.
As I reflected on the story I wondered if I had ever really asked God to comfort me. Sure, I had prayed and asked Him for help with whatever situation I found myself in, but had I ever actually asked Him to comfort me through it?
The week had been unusually busy. As each day passed, I was painfully aware I hadn't started work on the Bible study I teach on Sunday. However, when I got up Thursday morning, I thought, At last I'll have time to work on my lesson plan. Then the phone rang.
Micah, the prophet, poses the question, “Who is a God like you...?” This question is asked at the end of his short book to emphasize the truth he has clearly portrayed: There is no God like the Lord God.
In Micah 6:8, God says we are to “love mercy.” Showing mercy when I’ve been slightly wronged isn’t very difficult. But extending forgiveness to someone who has deeply and grievously wronged me is profoundly challenging. Can you relate?
