Category: Intimacy with God

My Cup Overflows

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5b, NIV)

Anointing people with oil isn’t a common practice in our culture today, which means the beauty of this verse can be overlooked. I’m grateful to have had rare opportunities to experience it on two occasions. The first was alongside church elders praying for a man in the hospital with traumatic injuries. The second was when ministry leaders prayed for me as I was beginning a new leadership role at church. 

Both of my experiences were powerful and in keeping with what Scripture shows: anointing is meant for consecrating or setting someone apart for special service, honoring or blessing a guest, or praying for a person who needs healing.  Jennifer Rothschild explains that it is “a poetic picture of the sweet presence and action of the Holy Spirit in our lives.” (p. 157)

Although you may not have experienced being anointed physically, you’ve been anointed spiritually if you follow Jesus. “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13b-14, NIV)

To get a more complete understanding, we need to unpack the second part of the verse: “My cup overflows.” Rothschild explains, “The Hebrew word for overflow in Psalm 23:5 means saturated. And it denotes wealth or satisfaction. So, when we are saturated with the good things of God, we will be rich with His Spirit and truth and fully, deeply satisfied.” (p. 165) I think the best example of God’s richness and abundance overflowing is in Jesus’ sacrificial love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NIV)

Jesus elaborated on this the night before His crucifixion using the elements of the Passover table as an illustration: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Matthew 26:26-28, NIV) 

Overflowing with love for us, Jesus poured out His life to restore us to right relationship with the Father. When we personally accept Him as our Savior, He anoints us with His Holy Spirit. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand… God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1,2 & 4b, NIV)

With the Holy Spirit living in us, we have access to all the spiritual riches of God. “The more we stay in the presence of the Lord, sitting at the table He prepares for us, the more we are aware of the presence and power of His Holy Spirit in our lives.” (p. 159) We begin to display qualities we don’t possess naturally: “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22 & 23a, NLT)

It is only through the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit that any of these qualities show in my life. While we’ve been sheltering at home as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, I’ve been reminded that maintaining an awareness of the Lord’s presence and power makes a significant difference. On days when I spend too much time poring over news stories and tracking the spread of the virus, my whole demeanor changes. I’m anxious, irritable, and short tempered. When I don’t make the time to refresh myself with the overflowing abundance of God’s love and grace, I let our current circumstances color my outlook with fear and negativity. 

On a recent rainy Sunday, I got out of bed late and didn’t have a chance to spend time alone with the Lord. Since we were tuning into an online church service, I figured that would be a good alternative. Although I heard teaching from Scripture and passively participated in corporate prayer, I didn’t connect with any of it personally. Instead, I grew increasingly negative, grumpy, and critical. I was tired of sheltering at home and frustrated that the rain was taking away my chance to find respite outdoors. On top of that, I was stewing on a few frustrating interactions I’d had via text and e-mail the day before.

After the service, I realized I needed to give myself a time-out to be alone with the Lord. Curled up on my bed while rain continued to drum on the roof, I opened my prayer journal and poured out my frustrations to God. Soon, I felt Him leading me to different passages of Scripture that spoke directly to me. I realized my attitude had made me a prime target for enemy attack. I confessed specific situations where I’d been harboring negative thoughts or thinking critically. The Lord showed me some incorrect assumptions and conclusions I was drawing from limited knowledge. Sharing my raw feelings and angst gave Him an opening to speak to me through His Word and to renew my mind. He enabled me to see the same situations and people with a fresh perspective. The rain continued to fall, but my dark mood lightened considerably.

My experience was an unflattering example of Jennifer Rothschild’s words, “When your plans get turned upside down, when you get knocked down, when you start to shake, what brims over from your cup? Only what is inside will flow out.” (p. 164) What spilled out of my cup wasn’t pretty that morning. The Lord was ready and waiting to give me what I needed, but I had to draw near to Him to receive it. Rothschild sums it up, “It’s like He’s saying, What I want to give you is bigger than you can contain. What I want to lavish over your life is more than you have capacity to hold. I want to fill you with grace and peace and joy and My Word so you will overflow with hope and love and rejoicing. When I saturate your life with My goodness, you will be satisfied.” (p. 165)

There’s no better time to see God’s goodness then at Easter. Holy Week looks a little different this year as we celebrate it without the usual fanfare. But maybe having all of the exterior aspects of Easter stripped away will narrow our focus so we can celebrate what it’s really about: The Father’s overflowing love, the Son’s sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection, and the Spirit’s anointing that fills us with His presence and power.

Don’t miss the opportunity to reflect on these truths so beautifully captured in “King of Kings” by Hillsong United. 

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018.

Image by Scott Warburton, courtesy of pixabay.com

Through the Valley

Of all the headlines I’ve read related to COVID-19 in the last week, one stood out most: “The loneliness of death in the time of coronavirus.” The story described the agonizing final days of an elderly man’s life. Because he was infected with coronavirus, his daughter was barred from being by his side in the hospital. She lamented, “I couldn’t hold his hand when he took his last breath…I feel like he was alone.” The sense of anguish and lack of hope is heartbreaking.

The mood of that article stands in sharp contrast to what I studied in Psalm 23:4 this week: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (NKJV) This familiar verse reminds us we’re never alone—even when people we love can’t be there. Walking with the Lord means His presence protects and comforts us even as death looms near.

The rapid spread of cornonavirus has forced us to confront the reality that life is finite and we are not in control. However, the threat of death may not be your primary concern right now. Other fears could be lurking in your mind that seem more urgent. Are you worried about a vulnerable family member getting infected, losing your job, or laying off employees? Maybe you’re fretting over missing milestones like trips, graduations, births, or weddings. Perhaps the downward slide of the stock market is keeping you awake at night envisioning your retirement account shrinking. Or maybe you’re feeling anxious about being stuck in a pattern of social distancing with no end in sight. The angst related to the pandemic leaves no one untouched. 

While some of our concerns don’t seem like outright fear, Jennifer Rothschild explains, “Fear shows up in ways we don’t realize. Being overly controlling is fear in disguise. Anger is often fear in disguise. Isolating yourself is fear in disguise. Anxiety and worry are fear in disguise.” (p. 118) She also reminds us, however, that “we can’t always change the valley we’re in, but we can always change our attitudes, actions, and choices in that valley. When we walk through our valleys with our Shepherd, He uses the valleys to change us, to grow us, and to take us to a new and better place. God can use our temporary valleys to create everlasting good for and in us.” (p.116)

As we walk through valleys, our hearts soften to God’s transformative work when we claim His truth. Rothschild explains, “fear focuses on the shadows. Faith focuses on the Shepherd.” (p. 120) To put that idea into practice, I took a variety of verses about fear and personalized them:

God is with me wherever I go. When I am afraid, I will trust in him. I will remember He has called me by name and I am His. He did not give me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline. He will strengthen me and uphold me with His righteous right hand. He will answer me when I seek Him and deliver me from all my fears. I will let God’s perfect love drive out my fear. (Compiled from Joshua 1:9, Psalm 56:3-4, Isaiah 43:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 34:4, 1 John 4:18)

Here’s the truth: “God gets personal when the valley gets dark.” (p. 124) As COVID-19 disrupts our normal routines and forces us to confront our fears, we have an opportunity to depend on God like never before. Being confined to home means many of our normal distractions have been removed. With our newfound free time, we may choose to numb ourselves by anesthetizing in front of screens, busying ourselves with household projects, or indulging in our favorite comfort foods. But we also have an amazing opportunity to draw near to the Lord without being in a rush. The pause button has been pushed on the whole world simultaneously. This means we have more opportunities to read, study, think, and pray. “Stillness increases our awareness of His presence…Ask the Lord to help you be still, to listen, and to quiet your heart.” (p. 126) Maybe it’s time to dust off that Bible study book you never finished or to start writing prayers in the journal that’s been sitting on your desk untouched. Go outside and admire the first blooms of spring or listen to music that draws your heart to Jesus. Perhaps God will reveal Himself as your awareness of Him grows in this season of stillness.

If you’re like me, you’re trying to make the most of this time and feeling impatient that there isn’t more you can do.  You’re ready for God to speak but haven’t sensed Him saying anything specific. Feeling restless, you’re craving productivity and purpose. Maybe you’re trying hard to force meaningful family time or searching tirelessly for moments of revelation and insight. Remember, “God is with you in your valley…don’t press to find the grand lesson or insight if one is not clear. Just rest in your Shepherd. Let Him carry you through. Receive His comfort and care.” (p. 126) Stop trying so hard and just be with Him. (I need to look in a mirror as I say that).

Remember that the Shepherd is with you in this challenging season. Don’t let fear consume you. Find your rest and refuge in Him. Take one day at a time rather than projecting into the future. Trust Him and let Him comfort and lead you. Help others to find hope and comfort by encouraging them to draw near to the Shepherd too. 

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2, NIV)

The song “Fear No More” by Building 429 seems especially relevant in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Listen now and make it your proclamation against fear.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018, Week 4.

Julia Prodis Sulek, “The loneliness of death in the time of coronavirus”, East Bay Times, March 20, 2020, page 1.

Help Me with My Unbelief

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:2, NIV)

Using the image of a shepherd lovingly tending his sheep, David paints a serene picture of God’s constant presence with us. Author Jennifer Rothschild likens this to riding a tandem bicycle with Jesus and asks, “Where are you sitting?” She describes several scenarios: 1) Riding in front and pedaling hard on your own strength 2) Riding in back “shouting directions to your Shepherd and calling it prayer” 3) Contentedly sitting in back, “safe with your Shepherd, knowing He is in total control.” (p. 52)

Rothschild points out that often we can’t rest peacefully beside quiet waters because we struggle with unbelief resulting from not fully trusting God. Perhaps you relate to that like I do. If so, you’ll find comfort in the story of Jesus and a father who wrestled with unbelief. He came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his son saying, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus replied: “’If you can’?…Everything is possible for one who believes.’  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”  (Mark 9:22-24, NIV)

I love the man’s honesty. Admitting his struggle with unbelief was the first step to receiving the help he needed from Jesus. And ultimately, the Lord did heal his son. Maybe we could learn from his example and approach God with complete honesty. If we revealed the pockets of unbelief in our lives that hindered us from trusting Him, perhaps we’d give the Lord new opportunities to reveal His power.

Jennifer Rothschild’s example reminded me of a favorite poem that I discovered at a pivotal time in my faith journey. It’s about riding a tandem bike with Jesus and learning to trust Him. As you read, consider who’s riding in the front seat in your life. How are you doing with admitting your unbelief to Jesus? How could you benefit from relinquishing control to Him?

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer,
my judge
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven
or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on
when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know just when it was
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.

When I had control,
I knew the way.
It was rather boring,
but predictable…
It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains,
and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,
it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, “Pedal!”

I worried and was anxious
and asked,
“Where are you taking me?”
He laughed and didn’t answer,
and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I’d say, “I’m scared,”
He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing,
acceptance
and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord’s and mine.

And we were off again.
He said, “Give the gifts away;
they’re extra baggage, too much weight.”
So I did,
to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him,
at first,
in control of my life.
I thought He’d wreck it;

but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up
and pedal
in the strangest places,
and I’m beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore,
He just smiles and says…”Pedal.”

-Author Unknown

Although I asked Christ to be my Savior as a child, it wasn’t until I was 18 that I surrendered to Him as Lord. That’s when I allowed Him to take the front seat on our tandem bike and my adventure with Him truly began. Switching seats was both frightening and exhilarating. Even now, making Him Lord of my life continues to be a daily choice that requires trust, humility, and obedience. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How about you? Who sets the course for your journey each day? Who determines the speed and cadence of your life? Trusting Jesus isn’t easy, but there’s no better way to live. Listen to “Way Maker” by Michael W. Smith and let it fill any pockets of unbelief in your life with powerful reminders of God’s character.

 Poem quoted from Holy Sweat by Tim Hansel, Word Publishing, 1987, p. 51-53.

Jennifer Rotshchild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press 2018, p.52.

Becoming Real

As Lisa Harper sums up final thoughts on the book of Job, she writes, “Perusing Job’s story for more than a year now has taught me how to better rest in God’s sovereign goodness regardless of what’s going on in my little corner of the world. Job’s well-lived life has helped soften some of my sharpest edges in a spiritual Velveteen Rabbit kind of way.” (p. 155)

If you’re not familiar with Margery Williams’ classic story The Velveteen Rabbit, the significance of that reference may be lost on you, which would be a shame. Rather than summarizing it, here are several excerpts that capture its essence:  

THERE was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a rabbit should be; his coat was spotted brown and white, he had real thread whiskers, and his ears were lined with pink sateen. On Christmas morning, when he sat wedged in the top of the Boy’s stocking, with a sprig of holly between his paws, the effect was charming…

For a long time he lived in the toy cupboard or on the nursery floor, and no one thought very much about him. He was naturally shy, and being only made of velveteen, some of the more expensive toys quite snubbed him. The mechanical toys were very superior, and looked down upon every one else; they were full of modern ideas, and pretended they were real…

The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.

“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

As the story unfolds, the Velveteen Rabbit experiences the joy of becoming “Real” as he receives the love and affection of the Boy. His shabby fur, missing whiskers, and tattered ears become badges of honor revealing his position as the Boy’s most beloved toy. But, after comforting him through a bout with scarlet fever, the Rabbit finds himself thrown in a trash heap with all the other germ-infested toys. Devastated, he laments his situation:

He thought of those long sunlit hours in the garden–how happy they were–and a great sadness came over him….Of what use was it to be loved and lose one’s beauty and become Real if it all ended like this? And a tear, a real tear, trickled down his little shabby velvet nose and fell to the ground.

And then a strange thing happened. For where the tear had fallen a flower grew out of the ground, a mysterious flower, not at all like any that grew in the garden…. And presently the blossom opened, and out of it there stepped a fairy…

“Little Rabbit,” she said, “don’t you know who I am?”

The Rabbit looked up at her, and it seemed to him that he had seen her face before, but he couldn’t think where.

“I am the nursery magic Fairy,” she said. “I take care of all the playthings that the children have loved. When they are old and worn out and the children don’t need them any more, then I come and take them away with me and turn them into Real.”

“Wasn’t I Real before?” asked the little Rabbit.

“You were Real to the Boy,” the Fairy said, “because he loved you. Now you shall be Real to every one...And he found that he actually had hind legs! Instead of dingy velveteen he had brown fur, soft and shiny…He gave one leap and the joy of using those hind legs was so great that he went springing about the turf on them, jumping sideways and whirling round as the others did.”

There is beautiful, biblical truth woven in the fabric of that sweet story that echoes what we see in the book of Job. Suffering, hardships, and trials are the tools God uses to build our character, to give us depth, and to help us experience Him in deeper ways. They help us to become more authentic and empathetic. Job concludes the book saying, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5, NIV) Trials create a special kind of beauty and connection to God that only come through first-hand experience.

Much like the Velveteen Rabbit, Job’s story shows us that suffering is an honor and a privilege. And just as the Rabbit receives new life at the end, a similar thing happens to Job:

“The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters.”(Job 42:12-13, NIV)

Suffering may not be our favorite item in God’s toolbox, but these stories remind us that it has a purpose. We’re going to face it, but it’s our choice to let it make us “Real.” And, like the Velveteen Rabbit, one day we’ll experience the amazing reality of new life in eternity with Christ. 

Lisa Harper quotes Barbara Johnson, who says, “We are Easter people living in a Good Friday world.” So, for now “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  (James 1:2-4, NIV)

Michael Ketterer’s song “Spirit Lead Me” exemplifies the beauty of surrendering and trusting God through trials. Listen and make it your prayer today.

To read The Velveteen Rabbit in its entirety, click on this link.

Lisa Harper, Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy, Lifeway Press, 2018.

God Speaks

The football stadium’s atmosphere pulsated with excitement.  Referees blew whistles, cheerleaders chanted, and the band played the school fight song at every touchdown. It was Homecoming —the most exhausting and exhilarating week of the school year for me as the Leadership teacher. 

Standing on the track in the end zone, a group of class officers huddled around me as we waited for their Homecoming floats to be judged. Each class had poured countless hours into building scenes that would parade around the track on trucks at halftime. But first, they had to be judged so the results could be announced as they drove by.

The adults we’d recruited to evaluate the floats didn’t know the students or how much time they’d devoted to constructing them. They strolled past each one, staring for a few minutes and then marking the score sheets. A few minutes later, the results were announced over the loudspeaker and the classes awarded third and fourth place were crushed. The judges hadn’t taken the time to consider the intricate details and had given first place to the seniors, just because they were the oldest. Indignant, the younger students peppered me with questions, “Didn’t they notice that detail? Did they see how closely it resembles the real thing? Did they recognize how well we showed the theme?”

The judges had gotten an overall sense of each float, but hadn’t gone beyond that. I wonder if God ever feels a bit like those frustrated younger students. How often do we stop to recognize and appreciate the intricate details He orchestrates to sustain life for us? Sometimes we’re so consumed with what we want Him to do, we forget what He’s already doing.  We get a glimpse of how He might feel when He responds to Job’s laments. The Lord speaks, but rather than addressing Job’s specific issues, He gives him a different perspective:

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angelsshouted for joy?’” (Job 38:1-7, NIV)

The Lord continues with a lengthy description of intricate details of His creation, revealing His power and sovereignty. Then, He gives Job a chance to speak. Humbled, he responds:

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?  I put my hand over my mouth.
I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.” (Job 40:4-5, NIV)

While there’s nothing wrong with pouring out our laments to the Lord, we also need to step back and look at the ways He reveals Himself that we may be overlooking. We may not find direct answers to our questions, but looking beyond ourselves helps us to see God’s attentiveness to detail and His care for all of creation, including us.

One of the best things I’ve learned to do when I’m hurting or perplexed is to stop thinking about my issues and go outside. For me, being in God’s creation seems to put everything back into perspective. It reminds me of the Lord’s power and sovereignty over all things. I see His creativity and attentiveness to detail and I’m reassured that He will handle all the concerns that plague my thoughts. Focusing on the Lord by admiring what He’s created steadies me and realigns me with Him. Paul says it well in the book of Colossians as he describes Jesus:

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17, NIV)

That last line sums up God’s response to Job: He holds all things together. This is powerful reassurance to anyone enduring trials, suffering, or challenges. Whether you’re in a hard season or not, take some time in the next few days and head outside. Pause and notice the intricate details of creation all around you and be reassured that God is with you in whatever you’re enduring. Take comfort in His presence rather than demanding answers from Him.

And if you can’t get outside, enjoy His creation by scrolling back to the top and admiring the photo of Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park. Then, watch these worship videos. Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable” includes several lyrics inspired by Job 38 and “So Will I (100 Billion X)” by Hillsong United will fill you with awe as it displays creation and celebrates God’s redemptive plans for us.

Sunshine and Shadows

In one day, Job lost his ten children, numerous servants, and all the livestock he owned, obliterating his family and livelihood. Consumed by grief, he tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground to worship God saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21, NIV)

Scripture tells us, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:22, NIV)

While Job’s grief was still fresh “Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:7-10, NIV)

What strikes me most isn’t the tragedy of Job’s losses, but his response to them. In his grief, he worshiped the Lord and accepted the harsh turn of events. Does this surprise you like it does me? Praising God through difficult times feels foreign to us. Maybe it’s because our culture seems obsessed with comfort and ease and labels anything that’s hard or painful as bad or wrong. 

Even among Christians, there is a sense that God is good… as long as He does things the way we want. We thank Him when He answers prayers according to our desires and question Him when He implements a different plan. We’ve developed a quiet sense of entitlement, believing we have a right to certain things. We think we deserve a smooth path devoid of obstacles and are injured and indignant when God allows hardship instead. We take the good things in our lives for granted instead of seeing them as blessings. And we question whether God really is good or loving when something hard happens that disrupts what we consider “normal.” We rarely embrace that life is a balance of sunshine and shadows. Instead, we become doubtful, cynical, or self-pitying when dark clouds obscure our bright skies.

Sometimes we forget that the Lord deserves praise regardless of our circumstances. We focus on what He does or doesn’t do instead of who He is. I remember being struck by this realization many years ago when I witnessed parallel tragedies with opposite outcomes. In the span of two years, two little girls I loved faced dire situations: one was diagnosed with a brain tumor and the other almost drowned. Both spent time in the hospital ICU with grim diagnoses. One ended up losing her life; the other made a full recovery. Both came from families of faith who had prayed for miracles and trusted God to do what was best.

I don’t know why the Lord chose to heal one while allowing the other to die. It remains a mystery why one family got to resume their “normal” life, while the other was altered forever. Despite the opposite outcomes, both families accepted the pain God had allowed and grew deeper in their relationships with Him. Their trust in the Lord was inspiring and had a ripple effect on everyone who knew them, and many who didn’t.

These incidents gave me a fuller understanding of the Psalmist who says: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2, NIV ‘84) As followers of Jesus, we understand that salvation and security lie outside the realm of circumstances. Whether earthly events turn out well or not, our true hope has an eternal perspective because death cannot separate us from God. 

There is a temptation to spend so much time questioning the Lord in hard times that we miss the opportunity to trust Him and let Him comfort us.  We wrestle with doubt and ask, “Why is God letting this happen?” Meanwhile, we overlook the places where He is showing up; where He is giving us tangible answers. Being consumed by self-pity also causes us to miss the ways He wants to teach and refine us through painful times. Additionally, it means we bypass chances to show others His goodness. In God’s economy, pain shouldn’t be wasted like this.

We can’t forget that no matter what hardships we encounter in this life, God wins in the end.  The Psalmist states it so clearly: “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands… On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:3-4,6-8, NIV ‘84) Ultimate hope doesn’t come from expecting God to turn circumstances in our favor; it comes from knowing His love is better than even life itself. Trusting His hand to hold us up and remembering that He walks with us through the darkness gives us the comfort we need. Because of His presence, we can find joy in the darkness– not a happy, smiling, giddy kind of joy, but a deep, peaceful assurance that He is in control and always has been.

Beloved author and preacher Oswald Chambers wrote: “We imagine we would be all right if a big crisis arose; but the big crisis will only reveal the stuff we are made of, it will not put anything into us… Crises always reveal character.” When we put our trust in God and walk with Him daily, when we seek His face, study His word, and obey Him in humble reliance, we will see Him molding and shaping our characters little by little.  At the same time, He will be revealing His character and His goodness to us. And when trouble comes, we’ll continue to trust Him and give Him the praise He deserves.

“Yes I Will” by Vertical Worship is a song of defiant praise during hardship. Let it fill you with renewed hope today.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Discovery House Publishers, 1935, 1963, Sept. 10 entry.  

David’s Prayer: Psalm 5

Humbling ourselves before God and aligning our hearts and minds with Him allows us to keep our focus where it needs to be throughout the day.

Over the years, the Book of Psalms has become a significant part of my faith journey. The deep laments, honest soul-searching, and passionate praise have put words to my thoughts and feelings many times.

As one of the primary authors of Psalms, David was the most famous and renowned of all the kings of Israel. He was known as “a man after God’s own heart.” At different points in his life he was a shepherd, a musician, a poet, a warrior, a leader, a husband, and a father. Many of the chapters he wrote in that beloved book are songs and prayers that show his response to the different events that occurred in his life. 

For me, a number of psalms have become mile markers that bring back memories from specific moments in my past. Psalm 5 is one I remember learning when I was a teenager. I first heard it in the form of a song while sitting on a small beach during a houseboat trip with my youth group. Standing at the water’s edge, a few of the camp leaders strummed their guitars and led as we sang the first three verses. It was a powerful way to prepare our hearts before sending us off for some time alone with God. Even though it was archaic language, the sentiment resonated deeply with me. When I looked it up recently, I was surprised to see that the lyrics I remembered word-for-word were pulled directly from the King James translation without being altered:

“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalm 5:1-3, KJV)

The New International version translates it like this: “Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:1-3, NIV)

 Here’s what strikes me about this passage:

It honors God in the lamenting: Even in his emotional distress, David recognizes the sovereignty of God. He gives the Lord the superior place of honor He deserves, addressing Him not only has his God, but as his King. So often in our prayers we launch right into listing our needs and making requests. When we start first by acknowledging the Lord and placing Him above ourselves, we demonstrate humility. This moves us from demanding an answer to recognizing God’s graciousness to us.

It has a healthy perspective: David lays his requests before the Lord and then waits expectantly to hear from Him. The physical act of laying something down is a powerful image. We can’t keep our worries and fears tightly in our grasp and lay them before God simultaneously. We must relinquish them to Him and then step back and believe that He’s going to respond in His perfect timing. Telling Him we’re waiting expectantly shows we trust Him and frees us from the compulsion to keep fretting. Pastor and author Nancy Ortberg says that lamenting paves the way for praising God. When we lay our troubles down before Him, it frees us to look up and remember His sovereignty over all things.

It sets an example worth following: David begins his day with the Lord. Twice in one verse he mentions coming before God in the morning. His example reminds me of the importance of starting my day with prayer. This isn’t legalistic, it just makes good sense. We wouldn’t leave for the day without putting on clothes. We don’t see this as a luxury, but a necessity. Yet, often we don’t see the need for spiritual covering as an essential part of preparation for the day ahead. When I don’t make time for morning prayer, my focus is on myself and the people and circumstances I encounter. As soon as something doesn’t go the way I want, I’ll default to self-centeredness, frustration, and impatience. Conversely, when I start with my focus on the Lord, He wraps me in the grace, wisdom, and patience I need to approach my day with His perspective instead of mine.

It’s interesting to note that Jesus gave us a similar example. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” If the son of God chose to start His day with prayer, it’s probably wise to follow His example. Humbling ourselves before God and aligning our hearts and minds with Him allows us to keep our focus where it needs to be throughout the day.

Take a few mornings this week to read Psalm 5. Then, write prayers using some of the same elements David did such as:

  • being honest about your emotions 
  • honoring God’s superior position in your life
  • laying specific requests before Him
  • telling Him you’re waiting expectantly because you trust Him
  • asking for God’s leading
  • seeking God as your refuge—a place of safety amidst life’s dangers and storms
  • asking for God to spread His protection over you
  • thanking God that you can claim to be righteous because of Jesus
  • asking God to bless you and surround you with His favor

Chris Tomlin’s song “Nobody Loves Me Like You” starts off with the perfect lyrics to remind you when to start praying. Let it inspire you today.

Praying Strategically

Many of us are strategic with our schedules, our finances, and our retirement. But it’s less common to find people who are as calculated and deliberate in their prayers. Although he’s best known for rebuilding Jerusalem’s broken down walls, the prophet Nehemiah provides an excellent example of how to pray strategically. 

To give you context, the events in his story unfold about a thousand years after Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt.  The book of Nehemiah takes place after the Jews’ seventy-year exile in Babylon. When the story opens, they’d already been allowed to return to Judah to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. Although they were free to go back, many Jews chose to remain in Babylon. Nehemiah was one of those who stayed behind to continue working as chief cupbearer in the palace of the King of Babylon. This influential position would have put him in close contact with the king daily, somewhat like a butler. Being a cupbearer to Artaxerxes was an esteemed role that was probably well paid and enabled him to live very comfortably. 

Chapter 1 opens with Nehemiah learning news about his home city of Jerusalem. He finds out, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” (Nehemiah 1:3, NIV)

Nehemiah’s first response after hearing this distressing news is to pray:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” (Nehemiah 1:4-11, NIV)

Here are few things we can learn from his prayer:

-Start with Gratitude and Acknowledgement: Nehemiah opens his prayer by remembering God’s promises and His faithfulness. He recognizes the Lord’s character and sovereignty and approaches Him with humility. Try beginning your prayer time by making a point to thank God for His faithfulness in your life. Point out the character qualities you appreciate about Him. If you’ve been reassured by a specific promise or verse from the Bible, thank Him for how it encourages you in your circumstances.

-Admit Your Sin: Nehemiah takes ownership over his sin and the sins of his people. He recognizes that their exile was a direct result of their disobedience to God. He doesn’t blame the Lord for the hardships they’ve endured. Nehemiah understands that their sin over the long haul has had profound effects on them as a nation and as individuals. 

Is there a difficult situation you’re dealing with now that might be the result of long-term disobedience? Answering this may not be easy, but keep in mind that conviction from the Holy Spirit is not condemnation—it’s an opportunity to recognize and relinquish sin you’ve been harboring. Give it to God so it won’t continue to hinder your relationship with Him. Then, rest assured–we’re called to confess our sins, but God doesn’t keep a running tally. Psalm 103:12 tells us: “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” And 1 John 1:9 promises us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

-Know Scripture so You Can Pray God’s Will: In his prayer, Nehemiah reminds the Lord of the promises He made to Moses. Read Deuteronomy 30:1-5 and you’ll notice how similar it is to what Nehemiah says. Clearly, he knows God’s Word and claims it with authority in his prayer. He remembers the Lord’s promises from the past and applies them to his current situation. Try taking a verse, a promise, or a situation from Scripture and personalizing it for a specific circumstance you’re facing.  Discovering God’s will in His Word and asking for it to be done in your life leads to powerful and effective prayers.

-Let Your Broken Heart Prompt Prayer and Action: After hearing terrible news about his people and his homeland, Nehemiah’s first impulse is to pray. His distress brings him to his knees before God. Maybe, like Nehemiah, you’ve heard about something happening either locally or globally that breaks your heart. It’s easy to feel helpless or overwhelmed at the thought of intervening to alleviate the suffering of others. Instead of dismissing those feelings, pray and ask God to show you if there is something you can do. Pay attention to the ways He may be nudging you to respond. If you’re already involved in a cause you believe in, pray and ask God to show you how you can maximize your impact there.

-Invite God to Leverage Your Resources and Connections: Nehemiah ends his prayer by asking God to grant him favor with “this man,” referring to the king. He knows Artaxerxes has valuable resources that can be used to help his people, and he asks God to use this relationship for the good of others. Maybe, like Nehemiah, there is a relationship in your life that you could leverage. Do you know someone with power, influence, resources, or authority who could use those things for good? Pray boldly and ask God to let you find favor with that person so that He can bless others through them. (This prayer prompt and the one above could go together in certain circumstances.)

Growing in our understanding of prayer nurtures our relationship with God. Let Meredith Andrews’ song “Draw Me Nearer” be the cry of your heart today.

Praying Honestly

Few people have heard the audible voice of God. There are a several instances recorded in Scripture when individuals dialogued with Him, but there’s one person who had multiple conversations with the Lord throughout his life–Moses. Some of the things we can learn about prayer from this hero of the faith may surprise you.

Let’s start with some background context. You might remember that Moses was born as a Hebrew slave in Egypt. His people, the Israelites, had emigrated to Egypt from Canaan about 400 years earlier during a severe famine. When they first arrived in Egypt, the Israelites were a large extended family of about seventy people consisting of twelve brothers, their wives and their children. Their father was Jacob, who had been re-named “Israel” by God. His family members and their descendants became known as Israelites. The Egyptians also called them Hebrews. Jacob and his eleven adult sons came with their families to Egypt at the invitation of Joseph, the twelfth son who had risen to a position of honor and power in Egypt. (This is the same Joseph that received the coat of many colors from his father and who was sold into slavery by his brothers as a teenager. His story is in Genesis 37, 39, 40-50.)

After Joseph’s death, life for the Israelites began to deteriorate as new Pharaohs came to power. The Israelites’ population steadily increased. This caused subsequent Pharaohs to fear the Hebrews would become so numerous they could overpower Egypt by joining its enemies if war broke out. To eliminate this threat, the Egyptians eventually enslaved the Hebrews and worked them ruthlessly.

In Exodus 1 & 2 we learn that Pharaoh’s solution for controlling the Hebrew population was to order that all Israelite baby boys be slaughtered at birth. However, when Moses was born, his mother concealed him for the first three months of his life.  Scripture explains, “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. ‘This is one of the Hebrew babies,’ she said. Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?’

‘Yes, go,’ she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.’ So the woman took the baby and nursed him.  When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, ‘I drew him out of the water.’” (Exodus 2:3-10, NIV)

Moses grew up as a prince in the household of Pharaoh, However, at the age of 40 his life pivoted dramatically when he decided to kill an Egyptian who he’d witnessed beating Hebrew slaves. Fearing retribution from Pharaoh, Moses fled to the neighboring land of Midian where he later married the daughter of a priest and lived as a shepherd.

Moses’ first personal encounter with God occurred when he was 80 years old. The swagger he had as a prince of Egypt had been stripped from him after four decades of being humbled in the desert.  His first conversation with God caught him by surprise while he was tending his flocks: “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.’ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’

And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’

‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.” (Exodus 3:2-6, NIV)

The Lord went on to explain that He had seen the misery of His people and was appointing Moses to go and lead his people out of slavery. Shocked, Moses’ first words to God were: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11, NIV)

The Lord replied, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:12, NIV)

What stands out to me in this conversation is Moses’ surprising combination of reverence and honesty. He knelt humbly before the Lord and hid his face, but then boldly proclaimed his doubts about being able to fulfill the task he’d been given. Instead of just saying, “Yes, Lord” and then walking away with angst wondering how he’d follow through, he openly expressed his fears. And the Lord reassured Moses, promising to be with him and to give him a sign of His faithfulness. 

Later in the same conversation, Moses again showed bold honesty with the Lord saying, “’Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’

The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’

But Moses said, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.’

Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, ‘What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.’” (Exodus 4:10-16, NIV)

Moses’ lack of eloquence and fear of public speaking made him want to opt out of the Lord’s call on his life. Once again, God reassured him and even made a provision for his insecurity by offering to let his brother communicate for him. (Let’s not miss the irony that we’re learning about prayer from a hero of the faith who didn’t think he was skilled at speaking.)

The conversation Moses had with God inspires me to speak honestly in my prayers and to admit my inadequacies. It gives me the freedom to tell Him about my lack of confidence and to express my doubt that He could work through me. God’s reassurance and provision for Moses encourages me that we don’t need to be intimidated when approaching Him. We can be reverent but honest. When we read something in Scripture that seems too difficult or daunting to obey, we can be truthful, admit our hesitation, and ask Him to help us wrestle through it.

Is it time to take off your polite veneer in prayer and to be honest before God about your struggles, weaknesses, and inadequacies? If God reassured Moses and provided for him, there’s a good chance He’ll do the same for you.

Need a more modern example of an honest conversation with God? Then enjoy Jason Gray’s song “I’m Gonna Let It Go.”

Seek Him

Like many people, I don’t love change. So, the way I prepare for it is by figuring out what’s next for me. If I can’t prevent a transition, at least I can try getting comfortable with the fact that it’s going to happen. 

So, last summer, as I began my final season of a three-year term as Coordinator for a women’s Bible study at church, I started emotionally preparing for my role to end. Bracing myself for the impending change, I started praying about what was next for me. But every time I asked for the Lord’s leading, the two messages He seemed to repeat were: 1) Seek Me instead of answers from Me. 2) Continue to focus on where you’re serving now and don’t worry about what comes next.

It seemed that every book I read or Bible study I did kept repeating that message. Here’s one quote that captures it well: “Listen, He is the prize. Not His direction, guidance, and clarity, not even His comfort, relief, and encouragement. Just Him. He is the One who encompasses all you are searching for. When God speaks, His chief aim is to reveal Himself. He desires to make Himself known and lead you into a more intimate relationship with Him. If you overlook this main objective in search of more self-focused ambitions (even honorable ones), you will not be able to clearly discern His leading. The distorting filter of pride and self-importance will skew what you’re hearing, mistaking the voice of your own ego for the voice of God. The clarity you desire comes from matching your chief aim in hearing Him with His chief aim in speaking to you.” (Priscilla Shirer*)

Keeping this in mind, I began searching the Bible for every instance of the word “seek.” Turns out it’s in there quite a few times. Throughout the Old Testament Israel’s kings were advised by wise counselors and prophets to seek the Lord. God’s chosen people were also repeatedly admonished to seek Him and to steer clear of foreign idols and false gods. Some listened, quite a few didn’t.

Many of us are familiar with the words of Jeremiah 29:11, which are often quoted when people transition from one season in life to another: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”  

These words of reassurance aren’t always set in context, however. They were written to the Israelites who had been taken captive and brought to Babylon. Jeremiah’s words here encourage them that God hasn’t forgotten them, but the verses that follow also include some important instructions for them: “’Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.’” (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

God reassured His children they would be rescued from exile, but a previous verse also mentions it wouldn’t happen for seventy years! While they waited, He invited His people to call upon Him and He promised He would listen to them. Many of the captives would live their remaining days in Babylon, never seeing their homeland again. That didn’t mean God had abandoned them. In fact, He invited them to draw near to Him and assured them of His presence. However, He also made it clear that seeking Him required wholeheartedness.

The word “seek” used here is the Hebrew verb “baqash.”** It means to search out by any method, but especially through worship and prayer. The implication is “to strive after.” Seeking God involves ongoing effort and focus. Once we begin a relationship with Him, we’re meant to spend the rest of our lives striving to know Him more deeply. 

The word “heart” used in the passage is the Hebrew noun “lebab.”** It characterizes our soul, mind, inclinations, conscience, moral character, and appetites. So, to seek God with all our hearts reflects a pursuit of Him that is complete and connected to all areas of our lives. It means surrendering to His will and His ways without holding anything back. Learning to do this takes consistent practice for a lifetime. It seems there are always areas of our lives we either consciously or unconsciously withhold from God. As we pursue Him, He reveals them to us and gently invites us to surrender them to Him.

I think that’s what He’s doing in me. As I slow my pace and seek Him, I’m giving Him room to show me where I’m holding out on Him and where I need further refinement.  There are moments when I struggle with impatience–I just want to know His plan for me so that I can start implementing it. Instead, God seems to be reminding me to be still in His presence so that I can learn more about His character. He wants to shape my character so that He can use me effectively. If I run ahead of Him, I’m missing the point. It’s not about finding the next place to serve, but becoming more completely surrendered to Him.

In the last month, I’ve changed my early morning routine and have begun spending my quiet time on the front porch sitting in a rocking chair wrapped in a blanket. Before opening my Bible or journal, I remain still for a few minutes and take in the sights and sounds around me. I’m learning that my neighborhood has a predictable morning rhythm. While I usually see the same runner at the same time or notice certain neighbors following regular patterns, I’ve also realized that the natural world is always changing. The white blossoms that filled my apple tree in late April have been replaced by tiny green fruit. Birds are constantly active, whether it’s chirping and calling from the trees or taking flight and soaring overhead. Rays of sunshine spotlight new blooms on the lavender across the street that weren’t there a few weeks ago. Sitting quietly taking it all in, I see that life teems around me– I’ve just never stopped to notice it before. It reminds me that even while I’m still, God is always at work. 

Tiny apples have replaced the spring blossoms. Watching them transform reminds me that God is always tending to what He’s created.

By seeking Him in the quiet of early morning, He’s revealing Himself to me. He’s reminding me that even while I wait, He’s at work, not just in the natural, but in the supernatural. The daily changes I see from my porch show me that He moves methodically and incrementally. Sometimes the differences start so subtly that I don’t notice them for a while. I’m reminded that He’s dependable and trustworthy, but not predictable. I recognize that God is always tending to what He’s created. Rather than waiting impatiently for Him to reveal what He’s doing, I’ll continue seeking Him so that I can know Him better and follow Him faithfully.

Natalie Grant’s song “More Than Anything” provides a powerful reminder to seek God rather than just expecting answers from Him. Will you join me in making it your prayer today?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unG_klty9IY

*Discerning the Voice of God, p. 105

**The descriptions for the Hebrew words are compiled from Strong’s Concordance. “Baquash” is Strong’s #H1245 “Lebab” is Strong’s #H3824.