“I cried to the Lord”

    “I cried to to the Lord and He heard my voice and He answered me..” Until I began looking for variations of this verse in the Psalms, I didn’t realize how many places* it could be found. Initially, I was reading a note about Psalm 3 and discovered that there are many meanings of the Hebrew word often translated ‘voice’. One definition is ‘the bleating of a lamb for its shepherd’. That one struck a chord. What a perfect picture of us as we, His lambs, cry to Him: 

“Help…. I’m stuck!” 

“Help…I’m hurting!”  

“Help…I really messed this one up big time!”  

“Help…I’m lost!”  “Help…my children are lost,”  

 “Help! I am so hungry!” 

 “Help…I can’t pay my bills!”  

“Help…I am all alone!”  

“Help…I don’t know what to do!”  

“Help…please use your crook to extricate me from this mess!” 

    “Help…I want to love and praise You more, to serve You better!” 

   So many cries of our hearts, so much bleating from so many lambs. And yet none are ignored, none unheard or insignificant to our Shepherd. “He heard my bleating and He answered me….” It may seem at times that He isn’t listening, isn’t seeing us, or doesn’t really care. But this is NEVER so. He is never indifferent to our cries or too busy to help, as humans may sometimes be We can’t always see the manifestation of His response, but we can be assured of it. 

   If you are from a liturgical church background, rooted in century after century of faithful prayer, you may remember litanies and group prayers to which the congregation responds, “Lord, hear our prayer.” Although respectful of this bleating, I now find myself unable to join in* because when I start to do so, He speaks to my heart saying, “I ALWAYS hear your prayers.” He most certainly understands the intent of such petitions. Yet I hear Holy Spirit say, “Know me for Who I Am..” I am the One Who Always Hears, Who always cares, Who Always responds. You don’t need to come as a beggar or a ‘begger’. I want you well and whole even more than you yourself do.

   Yes, David prayed “Hear me, Lord…why aren’t you helping me…why are you ignoring me?,” Yes, these are natural cries, especially when nothing seems to be changing (according to our natural eye). There are also things which can block** us receiving what He wants us to have. Instead of praying, “Hear me, Lord,” let’s pray, “Lord, help me receive everything You have for me, everything you suffered and died for me to receive. Remove every barrier. You are ‘The Breaker!’***   Help me receive Your Shalom!”****

   Our bleating tugs at His heart, just as the cries of our own children do. He is a much better Father than we ever thought of being. Think of what happens to your heart at the bleating of your own children and grandchildren, and you will have a tiny glimpse of the depth of The God of All Comfort’s compassion and concern for YOU.. if you are crying out, bleating for your Shepherd’s help, know that He loves you immeasurably beyond what you can even imagine. Thank Him for this all-embracing, overwhelming love, even if you can’t sense it right now. Trust Him. Trust IN Him. Trust in His compassion for you and His desire for your Wholeness, as well as of those whom you love. Praise Him in the dark and lonely places and picture Him running to answer your cry for help. He is not named “The Rescuer”***** for nothing. 

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 Notes

Here are a few of the Psalms which include “I cried to the Lord…” Go on a treasure hunt. Look them up and be encouraged! 

*Psalm 3, Psalm 17, Psalm 18, Psalm 34; Psalm 118, Psalm 120

**Some of the blocks: **”the world, flesh, and the devil”; unforgiveness, bitter roots, unbelief, deception in a variety of forms…. 

***  The [a]breaker [the Messiah, who opens the way] shall go up before them [liberating them]. They will break out, pass through the gate and go out; So their King goes on before them, The Lord at their head.” So their King goes on before them, The Lord at their head.” —Micah 2:13-14

****The Shalom of God, wrought for us by Yeshua at Calvary, is not simply peace but also our complete wholeness and well-being. 

*****In Israel, when people greet or leave one another with the word Shalom, they are expressing, ‘May you be full of well-being…may health and prosperity be upon you.’ “

“For today in Bethlehem a Rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah.”.  —Luke 2:11 TPT  

FYI… I participate in group petitions but now respond with, “Thank You for hearing our prayers!”

Lifter of our heads

  

   This morning, I once again read in Psalm 3 that God is ‘the lifter of my head,’ Years ago, He gave me a picture of Himself putting His forefinger under my chin and lifting my head up so I could look into His love-filled eyes. That image has stayed with me, as well it should. However, Brian Simmons also notes that in David’s time, “to lift up the head signified acquittal when judged, being freed from the prison of shame.” [The Passion Translation]

   How often have I been reluctant to look Him in the eye, due to my ungodly words or attitude toward another? I avoid the ‘listening’ part of my daily prayer time because I am embarrassed and ashamed that I behaved as I did. I know the holiness to which He has called us, and I definitely didn’t measure up. How could I at my advanced age still be struggling with some of the same things I did in my young adulthood? If I take time to listen, won’t He say, “Really???”  

   In his book, Who Told You You Were Naked? Andrew Wommack explores our tendency to hide from God because of the conscience He placed within us. Our awareness of our own guilt can keep us separated from the very solace, healing, and hope we desperately need from Him. We can manage to keep ourselves very ‘busy’ and declare we don’t have enough time to sit at His feet. So much to do! Of course, He is well aware of this ploy. 

   We are like the child who was running in the house and broke the sentimentally valuable vase. Our Father isn’t ignorant of the identity of the culprit, but he wants us to be the one to come and confess, to look him in the eye and say, “I did it, Abba, and I’m sorry.” Forgiveness and a loving hug bring reconciliation and restoration of the closeness a father wants with his children.  

   Our forgiveness, despite our guilt, comes through our eldest sibling, Who already took.our punishment on Himself. He has done this so we and Abba can always be close. Yet we often act as though He hasn’t paid this dreadful price, as if we are still separated from our Papa and need to keep hiding behind the furniture.  We should never take for granted what our Big Brother has done, but we also shouldn’t allow his sacrifice to have been in vain. Abba and Yeshua long for us to stay near. 

   Let’s come without fear to sincerely confess and then receive freedom from guilt and shame (and even pure embarrassment!), in gratefulness to our big brother, Yeshua. Let’s also strive to live holier and holier lives, so that the things we bring to our Abba in sorrow are examples of a life which has been continually sanctified throughout the years.  

   Let’s stay close, no matter our recent thoughts, words, deeds…or even something we failed to do. Let’s confess quickly and allow Him to lift our heads. Let’s receive the Papa Bear hug with which He longs to encircle us. He may have some further instructions for us, however.

   Perhaps the most challenging listening from which we may be tempted to hide is related to someone else.  Someone He wants us to forgive or from whom we should as forgiveness. Someone to whom He wants us to minister our own bear hug.  Let’s listen well and follow through, extending the love and grace we have just received.. Then  we can ‘look up’ and see the glowing face of a proud Papa beaming down on us.

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“We know that if we truly listen, You will speak to us both in our hearts and through Your Word. We choose to listen. We choose to have listening and hearing ears. And we choose to bring ourselves under what we hear from You; we choose to obey. We draw near to You, confident that as we do, You will draw near to us.”  —Dutch Sheets, Give Him 15, Devotional II; page 24

“Let the light of your radiant face break through and shine upon us!” —-Psalm 4: 6

Aaronic blessing: Numbers 6: 22-27 :

“May the LORD bless you and keep you;

May the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

May the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you and give you peace”

“Come seek Me with all your heart. I will not hide from you, but I will hide you in Me.” —Brian Simmons, I Hear His Whisper

 

    

Choreographer and Conductor

    

       Have you ever attended a symphony or other musical performance with a conductor at the helm? He moves his arms dramatically, nodding his head or pointing his baton for each section’s entrance. He holds the orchestra and other performers in the palm of his hand. 

    When there is dancing involved, as in The Nutcracker, for example, you can be sure there has been a choreographer behind the scenes, designing, teaching, and coaching the movements of the performers. You don’t see the choreographer during the show, but you can be certain that without him, the performance would have been a chaotic, bumbling mess. Both the one up front and the one unseen are crucial to the show’s success. The performers cannot see the whole picture. They must keep their eyes on their Conductor, playing and moving as they have been trained by him and by their Choreographer, who were privy to the impression made by the whole group

    Picture a performance ready to begin. Some run in late and breathlessly take their seats. Others have been playing, singing, or dancing since before their feet reached the floor. In the audience and even closer in the wings, some are raptly watching and listening, some longing to join the company.. surprisingly, the Conductor waves them in***, beckoning them with a wide smile. The newcomers don’t realize that He has long been choreographing their lives to bring them to this moment. The performers joyfully make room for them, while still keeping their eyes on the Conductor. 

     Our ADONAI Elohim is both Choreographer and Conductor of our lives. We need Him to prepare us and also to ‘conduct’ us daily as we live out His purposes and plans for us. What peace there is in knowing that He has also already planned and choreographed our movements** and those of other cooperative believers. Our lives are woven together with others’ in a harmony we can’t see or hear with our physical senses. 

     What a glorious merging of sound and movement we make when we choose to follow His lead and agree to be trained* by His Word, practicing daily to improve our reflection of Him: it becomes a feast for the eyes and ears, calling out to those hungry for Him. The glorious Morningstar**** has risen in our hearts and is calling out His invitation*** to others. Oh wait, is that a new group watching and waiting in the wings?

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NOTES

*“So devote yourselves to lavishly supplementing [choreographing*] your faith with goodness, and to goodness add understanding, and to understanding, add the strength of self-control, and to self-control, add patient endurance, and to patient endurance add godliness, and to godliness add mercy, and to mercy add unending [agape] love.” —2 Peter 1: 3-7

{*The Greek word epichorēgeo… can mean “richly provide” (for the choir) or “choreograph.”} 

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“ As a result, the kingdom’ gates will open wide to you as God choreographs your triumphant entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Messiah.” 2 Peter 1: 11

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**“You know everything there is to know about me. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart like an open book and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence! You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me…”  Psalm 139: 1-5

 You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book. Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought…”  Psalm 139: 16

***“3Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness.”  2 Peter 1: 3-4 

 ****  “For this prophetic message is like a piercing light shining in a gloomy place until the dawning of a new day, as when the Morning Star rises in your hearts.” —2 Peter 1: 19b

“Everything happens for a reason,” but not always a good one

     

     I am so tired of hearing pop philosophies malign the character of God. Hallmark movie scripts now tout ‘the universe’ and ‘fate’ in place of oir Heavenly Father. “The Night Before Christmas” has replaced the true Christmas story for children’s bedtimes, and “O, Christmas Tree” has replaced “Silent Night.” Non-Christian terms like Karma have woven their way into the conversations of Christians. One of the worst is the attribution of everything that happens as the will of God. 

     The phrase “Everything happens for a reason is bandied about as though wretched evil circumstances are part of God’s master plan. Yes, indeed, awful things happen ‘for a reason’….and that reason is often the will of the enemy of our souls or the will of a human who has chosen wrong over right. 

     We musn’t confuse the truth of Romans 8:28, that God can and will “MAKE A GOOD OUT OF ANYTHING OFFERED UP TO HIM WHEN WE’RE CALLED TO HIS PURPOSE,” with the false assumption that HE DESIRED IT TO HAPPEN in the first place. God doesn’t will children to have cancer or be abused. He doesn’t want your mother to develop Alzheimer’s or a child to drown just so he can cause something good to happen. He takes what the enemy meant for evil and turns it around for our good. This is the true character of God. He is not the author of disease or cruelty. He doesn’t misuse or abuse or sacrifice one of His children for another. 

     How have we allowed and even perpetuated this lie without standing against it? I’ve even heard sincere pastors preach this to their congregations. Search the Word out for yourself. God calls us to rejoice and be thankful IN all situations in which we find ourselves, not FOR all things. [1 Thessalonians 5:18]

     So many who say they don’t believe in or trust in God attribute their lack of faith to things which have happened in their lives. In this time when people are getting their theology from TV and social media, be an agent of truth for them. Help them see Who God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) truly is. Be a defender of His Character and Will for those He loves so dearly and suffered for so intensely. Help them discern between the ‘in’ and the ‘for’. Lovingly open eyes to false philosophies being expressed all around them. 

   One way which has helped me communicate God’s true heart is by having people imagine ever giving one of their children cancer to teach them a lesson or to benefit another of their children. What a horrible thought, yes? We would NEVER do such a thing. Yet, that is what we accuse our perfect Heavenly Father of doing. Think about it. How have we been brainwashed to accept such an attitude toward our God. Scripture describes Him as Love itself…full of mercy and lovingkindness. 

   Let’s not just stand by and allow Him to be maligned. A wonderful birthday gift to Him this Christmas would be to help those in such desperate need of Him to draw close. Rather than letting them keep Him at arm’s length because of false beliefs about Who He really is, help them discover that there are no more loving, sacrificial arms to be drawn into than His. 

   Happy Birthday to You, dear Yeshua.

After the angels left

      

     For the first time in my annual reading of the Christmas story in Luke, it occurred to me that the shepherds must have been discouraged to see nothing change after their spectacular experience. They must have gone back to their scorned occupation in excited expectation. Yet days, years, decades passed and nothing was any different. Did they wonder if it had all been just their imagination? 

     Supernatural experiences can fade in our memory and their impact dull in the passing of time. Our testimony dims. We may relegate them to some sort of exaggerated emotional high. Daily realities take over our perspective…the here and now, our five senses, our intellectual rationalizations, become paramount once again. 

     How could someone see angels break open the heavens and then doubt their experience? They never would, right? In the same way, spectacular, supernatural experiences like witnessing someone raised from the dead would be something one couldn’t ever deny or forget. Right? Yet it happens. Jesus said that with a dulled heart, even if someone were raised from the dead in front of them, some would still not believe. [Luke 16:31]

     We know from our hindsight perspective that the shepherds were not ultimately disappointed. Yet I wonder if all of them believed in Jesus as the Messiah years later when His personhood was revealed. How many kept their faith through all the years of Jesus’ childhood and young adulthood, still anticipating, still expecting?  

     One of the meanings of Yeshua’s name is “Rescuer”.Our country is living in darkness. It has much company, unfortunately.  ADONAI has promised to rescue us, to shine His light on us, to save His people, to save our nation, and, through us, the world. His remnant has been crying out and He, in His mercy, has answered….is answering.…will answer. 

   We have seen His light, read His Word, heard His Rhema through His prophets, heard and experienced testimony after testimony of His goodness and mercy and lovingkindness. Though day passes to day with things appearing unchanged and even worsening, I KNOW He is working. I KNOW He is coming to rescue us in THIS life. NOW. Yes, also for eternity, when it comes time. But this rescue will be in the NOW! A reset, a re-formation, a revolution, a restoration, a restitution here on this earth. It is coming. I believe it. I’m expecting it. I’m grateful for it. I will not be dissuaded. Are you with me? I am a shepherd who still believes she will see the Messiah come forth. A leper who returns. A prisoner who praises. A barren woman who trusts for a full home. A child who reaches out in simple faith. He has said it, I believe it. I know it is true.  Glory be to God in the highest heavens. Alleluia! 

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“The splendor-light of heaven’s glorious sunrise is about to break upon us in holy visitation, all because the merciful heart of our God is so very tender. The word from heaven will come to us with dazzling light to shine upon those who live in darkness, near death’s dark shadow. Luke 1:78-79 TPT

Keeping His promise

         

     As I sit here at 70 reading once again the story of Elizabeth, Zechariah, and John; the tears come unbidden. I remember wanting a child so desperately, with doctors not at all optimistic. I remember each month praying and hoping and then being disappointed. 

     I  recall sitting, unable to keep from weeping, at a springtime clergy wives conference in which someone gave an anointed presentation about Mary. Back in my room, i asked the Lord, “Why was I weeping through her whole teaching?”  I thought I then heard so clearly the Lord promising me that I would have a child at Christmas. The annunciation and birth fell in symbolic line so perfectly with the current month, and I was happy beyond words. 

     However, by the next month I was once again disappointed….and devastated. Not just because I wasn’t ‘with child,’ but also because I thought I had heard Him so very clearly. I began to question whether I had ever heard Him in past times correctly at all. Month after month went by, then another two years, until one day I was sitting in a Bible study with friends and I heard Him (did I?) tell me to ask the group to pray over me for a child. I argued with Him: “Lord, they’ve prayed with me many times before. I don’t want to ask them again.” Silence. Then, “Ask them.”  So with nothing but the tiniest mustard seed of faith, I did.  

     To my ecstatic joy, I found I was carrying a baby soon after. We decided to name him Joshua, “Yahweh is salvation, restoration, and deliverance.”* When my obstetrician examined his turnwheel calendar to give me my expected due date, a huge smile lit his face. “Guess what your due-date is? Christmas!” It wasn’t until months later that it struck me that I had indeed heard Holy Spirit that spring day, and God had indeed fulfilled His promise. I just had the wrong year! 

     In the past few years God has been promising us deliverance from an evil national/international regime, as well as a revival with an incomprehensible billion soul harvest. Most of us, including the prophets themselves, thought He meant that very first or second year. The fact that longer gestation has been necessary to root out the depths of entrenched evil doesn’t mean He will not fulfill His promises. His Word NEVER comes back void. Sometimes we just have the timing wrong.  

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*For those who don’t know me personally, I now have three amazing, Adonai-loving children and 3 beautiful grandchildren. God is so o Good! 

**The name Zechariah means “God has remembered.” The name Elizabeth means “oath” or “covenant of God.” He is always faithful, even when we aren’t. Zechariah questioned God’s faithfulness, but God blessed him anyway. How merciful and kind is our loving Father. 

***Remember, Jesus/Joshua/Yeshua, versions from the Greek and Hebrew….include Rescue, Deliverance, and Restoration, as well as eternal salvation, which are all missions of our Lord in THIS life, not just in the next.

 

A Tender Advent

 

     Years ago, I suggested our family exchange gifts on Epiphany and keep the Advent and Christmas seasons as worshipful and focused as possible on our Saviour. Although their hearts were with me, the logistics weren’t. Between geography and timing, it became apparent this plan wouldn’t fly. This year, however, new geography and timing have paved the way. We have set our celebration together for Epiphany weekend (not that we don’t also have fun events like cookie baking in between). 

     My part time hours at the store have shrunk, and I have put away my easel and art supplies, which normally live where the Christmas tree now stands. Nativity scenes, angels, and candles now light our living/dining area, and quiet Christian carols are calling me to worship in His Spirit of deep joy and rest. This brings Him pleasure. (I know because He just told me so,) 

     Brian Simmons (The Passion Translation) has a new Advent devotional which I purchased on Kindle. I am going to use this to supplement my daily Bible reading and prayer/decree time this season. I am excited to go deeper. Today the Lord told me “not to be reluctant to ‘camp out’ on just one part of His Word.. Treasures are to be found there,” He whispered. I’m taking the time to click on each of Brian’s notes in His Passion Translation, as I reread the Christmas story in the gospels. I have been taking longer to ponder the impact of each comment on specific words and verses. Sometimes I don’t even make it through a whole chapter. I put my head back and close my eyes, asking Holy Spirit to share what He wants me to glean, to see anew in these oh so familiar passages.

     Earlier today, I was doing errands, cleaning, attending a Zoom meeting, and trying to be faithful to my exercise program. Prayer time & Bible study had been sandwiched here and there. When I sat back down to get quiet again and listen, He chuckled and didn’t really need to comment further. I got it. This lesson has been repeated for me through the decades. You would think I’d have it mastered by now, but He knows better. I am thankful for His patience. He did, however, lovingly remind me to realign my priorities with His. He knows how the most important things can get put aside, despite our best intentions, when addressed in the wrong order.

     I want to live His priorities out this year, not just cocooning myself away to experience a truly holy season in His Presence, but also dedicating significant time in serving others in ways that please Him. Learning to both give and receive well. A holy Advent season doesn’t have to be a totally quiet one, but when His good pleasure is the motivation for both types of joyful experiences—-the peaceful and the busy—-we can be assured of a blessed Advent lived under the tender gaze of His joyful countenance. Let’s ask Him, “Lord, how would You have me spend the time You’ve given me this Advent season? Help me go deeper and farther, both inwardly and outwardly, in ways that please Your heart..”