I’m in the Psalms once again. After countless readings, I still find myself saying, “Was this Really always here?” Today I stepped into Psalm 104 and was so profoundly affected that it was like a drama unfolding before my eyes, and they filled with tears. There is so much in this Psalm, that I could camp here for days. And I think I will do just that. I want my meditation to be sweet so that I bless Him. Bless the Lord, O my soul! I want to see His creation with new eyes of wonder and awe and thank Him with great joy and rejoicing.
In a notebook separate from my prayer journal, I have been recording psalm verses under various categories, such as The Goodness of God, Who He Is, Joy, When in Trouble, Images of God, Praise, Testimony, Creation Praising Him, and Prayers for the President. In some psalms, there are verses for all these categories....from Trouble to Praise.
In a previous post, Conception, I mentioned my attempts to draw scenes from Scripture and to depict the relationship with the Lord they encourage...the images of God they paint, and the intimacy that blesses Him. How can I show Him covering Himself with light like a garment and stretching out the heavens like a curtain, or watering the earth or feeding us out of His hand...or filling the earth with riches and creatures? I can certainly paint in my mind, though my sketching skills be lacking.
Scripture adjures us to “read, mark, and inwardly digest” it. As it ‘goes down,’ it can sometimes burn like a fire, as well as bringing peace. It can foment your soul, if you let it. It can put you on your face, from which position you find Yeshua’s hand extended to lift you up. As long as I have breath, I want to praise Him...truly, madly, deeply.
As we ask the Holy Spirit to stir us up, to inspire and energize us out of our spiritual and physical lethargies, He will be faithful to answer. In this time of quarantine, it is easy to become sluggish not only in body, but in spiritual fervor. I have felt this inertia on both counts, this deadening of my spirit. Truly, it can be the exact opposite if we ask Him to wake us up and spur us to chase after Him, laughing and rejoicing. Tag, you’re it!
Monday, April 27, 2020
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Pebbles and The Rock
Remember what it’s like to walk on a ‘beach’ of small rocks and pebbles? You’re always trying to keep your balance, as they move around under your weight. If you’re wearing flip-flops, it’s even more difficult to remain stable.
This morning the Lord gave me that image to reflect where people are looking for their stability in this time of pandemic panic and uncertainty. Relying not just on medicine, but on connections with other human beings has , for some, become the holy grail of ultimate value. It reminds me of Christmas shows which tell us that Christmas is all about family and friendships. It all sounds so good and warm and cozy, but its foundation is mush.
On this Holy Thursday, when devoted human beings denied and deserted our Lord, we realize again that even the best of human beings will disappoint, will fail in a test of faithfulness. We have all done so and we will do so again, despite our deep desire to the contrary.
Pebbles appear to be rocks, but you can’t trust them for stability. Only The Rock is solid underneath you. Those who don't yet know Who Jesus is, are looking for someone or something to provide what only He can. What a great time to share with friends and acquaintances about the Rock of Ages.
There’s an openness in people’s hearts right now, as they feel powerless in what seems like an unreal situation. And, indeed, all earthly circumstances are unreal, compared to the Reality of God’s Truth. As we’re tempted to just hunker down in our homes, let’s reach out of them like never before and take advantage of this Kairos time for drawing people to the King of Kings; the Lord of Lords; the Shepherd of our Souls; our Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer.
Family is one of God’s greatest gifts, as are our friends. But we need to help others understand that “though our father and mother forsake us, [He] will receive us. [Psalm 27:10]. That as it says in Deuteronomy 31:6-8, He goes with us and before us, and as Paul quotes this in Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Humans with the best of intentions can be like a dry, bent stick when it comes to salvation in any sense of the word. Or to return to the other analogy...seek to help those in your circle of influence not to rely on unstable pebbles instead of The Rock, or on warm, mushy ground instead of The Sure Foundation. I’m asking God for courage to do the same.
The fields are ripe for harvest. [John 4:35]. Let not the workers be few. [Matthew 9:37]
This morning the Lord gave me that image to reflect where people are looking for their stability in this time of pandemic panic and uncertainty. Relying not just on medicine, but on connections with other human beings has , for some, become the holy grail of ultimate value. It reminds me of Christmas shows which tell us that Christmas is all about family and friendships. It all sounds so good and warm and cozy, but its foundation is mush.
On this Holy Thursday, when devoted human beings denied and deserted our Lord, we realize again that even the best of human beings will disappoint, will fail in a test of faithfulness. We have all done so and we will do so again, despite our deep desire to the contrary.
Pebbles appear to be rocks, but you can’t trust them for stability. Only The Rock is solid underneath you. Those who don't yet know Who Jesus is, are looking for someone or something to provide what only He can. What a great time to share with friends and acquaintances about the Rock of Ages.
There’s an openness in people’s hearts right now, as they feel powerless in what seems like an unreal situation. And, indeed, all earthly circumstances are unreal, compared to the Reality of God’s Truth. As we’re tempted to just hunker down in our homes, let’s reach out of them like never before and take advantage of this Kairos time for drawing people to the King of Kings; the Lord of Lords; the Shepherd of our Souls; our Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer.
Family is one of God’s greatest gifts, as are our friends. But we need to help others understand that “though our father and mother forsake us, [He] will receive us. [Psalm 27:10]. That as it says in Deuteronomy 31:6-8, He goes with us and before us, and as Paul quotes this in Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Humans with the best of intentions can be like a dry, bent stick when it comes to salvation in any sense of the word. Or to return to the other analogy...seek to help those in your circle of influence not to rely on unstable pebbles instead of The Rock, or on warm, mushy ground instead of The Sure Foundation. I’m asking God for courage to do the same.
The fields are ripe for harvest. [John 4:35]. Let not the workers be few. [Matthew 9:37]
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