Joy in the Journey

 

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121 ESV).

 

Mary and I are home in Texas after visiting our beloved Smoky Mountains. I have finished all the unpacking and needed to write a bit to begin posting today. I am, as usual, at a loss as to where I want to go in November. Thinking about “going” took me along a mental journey of where I had just been. That thought took me to our last day in Gatlinburg and a final visit to The Village. We usually park near the back entrance (pictured here). It’s a bit closer and less crowded than the entrance off the parkway. The entire area is closely laid out and an easy walk, even with Mary needing to use the wheelchair now for longer jaunts. It was a very pleasant walk along the brick-paved walkway browsing through the shops and stopping for a Donut Friar cinnamon twist and a fresh brewed cup of coffee (of course, Mary had the coconut frosted donut with a coke). It was a perfect fall day, just the two of us enjoying life! That memory then took me to Psalm 121, our reading today.

 

Many people look forward to going to favorite places year after year. There is a familiar journey, with anticipation building as landmarks are passed along the way. Finally, there is the joy of seeing what has changed and what has stayed the same. For the ancient Hebrew, going to the temple for feasts must have been something like this, yet for them the journey was likely far more difficult than our annual journeys are for us. Psalm 121 is a “Song of Ascents” that many of them would have sung as they traveled, and it gave them the hope that the Lord preserves His people throughout their pilgrimage.

 

To get to Jerusalem, many Israelites had to walk hundreds of miles. They had to pass through valleys and dry places, alongside cliffs and past caves. They walked through wilderness areas where there were wild animals and danger from bandits. Many would come by way of the paths along the Jordan River valley, which meant they later had to climb thousands of feet in elevation to get to the temple. As the psalmist considered that difficult climb, he wrote, “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come?” (v. 1). It is a question for anyone facing a journey, a trial, or even death itself.

 

The right answer is found in the next verse: “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” This line is really a tremendous confession of faith. The hills were big, the challenges sobering. Yet the psalmist confessed that his help came from Jehovah, the truly existing God, who keeps all His promises and who is the Maker of the heavens and the earth. He is the Lord of the hills and the valleys. This is a firm profession of faith in almighty God.

 

It is an appropriate confession of God’s people as they start a week, and it ought to be our confession as we draw ever nearer to the heavenly throne of God. Without Him, we can do nothing (cf. John 15:5). In the person and finished work of Christ, who has ascended to the true Holy of Holies, we find our help and our hope. Even more, He has promised to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, for the advantage of His disciples (cf. John 16:7). The Lord sustains, watches over, protects, and preserves His children. Though many would face dangers, and all eventually would die, the psalm ends with an eternal promise: “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore” (v. 8). Think of your journey, whether in your special place or along the dark valleys and know the help and strength of the Lord!

 

The Smiling Scarecrows

 

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31–39 ESV).

 

I am writing this devotional while traveling home from the Smokies. Yes, our respite has ended for this year and by the time this posts we will be home in Texas. And, it is scheduled for Halloween (I know… what could go wrong… LOL!) I’ve decided to also attach a photo from the Village decorations in Gatlinburg. There are pumpkins and “scarecrows” placed throughout the city. Fall mums mixing with the foliage colors are beautiful. That reminded me of a graceful approach to Halloween, or All Hallow’s Eve.

 

You may remember that in Christianity, the true meaning of Halloween is All Hallows' Eve. For some it is a sacred evening of preparation and vigil that precedes All Saints' Day (November 1st) and All Souls' Day (November 2nd). The word "Halloween" is a contraction of "All Hallows' Eve," meaning the night before All Hallows' (All Saints') Day, which commemorates the “saints. Historically this day was established or popularized in the Western Church by popes like Gregory III and Gregory IV, the season honors all saints, martyrs, and the faithful departed who have entered Heaven. The Communion of Saints emphasizes the connection between the Church Militant (living believers), the Church Triumphant (saints in Heaven), and the Church Suffering (souls in Purgatory) according to the Romans Church. Early traditions were developed in Europe like "souling,” which involved the poor going door-to-door collecting "soul cakes" in exchange for prayers for the dead. This became the practice of modern trick-or-treating.

 

With all of that in mind, I want to draw your attention to a clear declaration of the Scripture. Believers have nothing to fear from this world or the next. The Apostle Paul says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (v. 31). All the scary things that we are struck with this evening are no match for the work of Christ on our behalf! Go ahead… put a smile on all your scarecrows!

 

 

The Colors of Fall in the Smokies

 

Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. (Psalm 96:10–13 ESV).

 

The setting for the photo I’ve attached is looking toward the south from the John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove. Two things are apparent as I think about this place at this time. First, though life was hard during the days in which the Olivers lived in this idyllic setting, a cup of coffee from their front porch toward this view must have given them great satisfaction. The harvest was in, they had stored food for the winter soon coming, and a moment of reflection was easy. My second thought is what that reflection might have been. The colors of fall are have often been seen through Christian symbolism and biblical themes, representing God's creation, the character of Christ, and the natural rhythms of life and faith. For me, I am taken to our reading today from Psalms. Additionally, I think of three distinct truths.

 

First, Fall reminds me to wonder. This time of the years the creativity of God just shouts at you: “Look at these amazing things!” The creativity, diversity, detail, and stunning beauty of God are just everywhere in this season. I know that the colors of the season are different in other parts of the world. Where I live (North Texas) the colors are short-lived and certainly duller than in the Smokies. However, it is still a loud reminder of the wonder of God’s creation. No wonder David wrote: “The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” (cf. Psalm 19). Creation is amazing! And it’s all made by a God who never stops creating.   

 

Second, Fall reminds me to trust in the Lord. When I feel the crisp autumn air and see the kaleidoscope of colors and smells, I am reminded that God is with me. That God is in this. His hand is on creation—sustaining, renewing, and restoring. God isn’t a dead stone statue that sits on an altar somewhere; He is a living, personal, and creating God! His presence exists in the cycle of seasons and the changes around us. And He reminds me that He is worthy to be trusted. He reminds me that His promises to renew and restore creation are just as true for me.

 

Third, Fall reminds me of the sacrifice of Jesus on my behalf. Inevitably this beautiful time will fade into winter’s chill and silence. The changing colors of leaves reminds me that death is happening. Winter is coming; death is a part of life. Just as the leaves are slowly fading unto death, so too am I. That is not me being maudlin. It is me reminding myself that heaven is waiting for me; and, it is greater than anything every imagined in the mind of man (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9).

 

It’s a sobering thought—that just like Fall, none of us lasts forever on this earth. But here is where the beauty of this season comes in. It also reminds me that death isn’t the end. One man broke through the death of winter and brought new life! Jesus spent three days in death – much like the brown leaves I see withering in the dirt.  But just like the trees will come to life again in the spring, Jesus came back in everlasting glory.  Jesus broke the curse of death for you and me.

 

Death has no sting; winter has no bite. With Jesus we will flower again in the eternal glorious presence of God. What a promise!

 

It Is Well with My Soul

 

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1–3 ESV).

 

My body clock hasn’t had time to really change since we’ve been in the mountains. I still awaken about sunrise no matter how late I might have stayed up the day before. That was a bit before 7 am today. My regular routine is slightly different when I’m in the mountains, though some things remain. One of those “different” things is actually walking our dog, Teddy, on his leash for his mourning routine. Usually, when I’m at home I let him out in our fenced backyard and let him take care of all his exploration for the morning on his own while I sit on the deck and meditate through my prayer list. Since there is no fenced area at the cabin we are staying in and there was a bear nosing around yesterday, I thought it best to walk him down the street. Walking back I was surprised with the vivid colors of sunrise across the river behind our cabin. I’ve attached a photo, though it does not do justice to the actual sight!

 

Well, I got to the cabin and came back inside, unleashed the dog, and turned on the television to one of my favorite YouTube channels that plays instrumental old hymns and the first one was “It Is Well with My Soul” with the Scripture verse across the screen from our reading today: “Fear not, for I am with you…”

 

You may not know the background of this great old hymn. It was written after traumatic events in Horatio Spafford's life. The first was the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially. He had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time Spafford had planned to travel to England with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, to help with Dwight L. Moody's upcoming evangelistic campaigns. In a late change of plan, Spafford sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters, Annie, Maggie, Bessie, and Tanetta, ahead while Spafford was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, killing 226 people, including all four of his daughters. His wife, Anna, survived and sent Spafford the now famous telegram, "Saved alone ...". Shortly afterwards, as he traveled to England to meet his grieving wife, Spafford was inspired to write these words as his ship passed the spot near where his four daughters had died. Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel. Let me remind you of the lyrics:

 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

 

Refrain

It is well, (it is well),

With my soul, (with my soul)

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

 

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

 

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

 

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!

Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

 

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

A song in the night, oh my soul!

 

It is indeed… “well, with my soul”! All because of the grace and love of Jesus! Thank you Lord for the reminder today!

 

Headrick's Chapel

 

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:20–27a ESV)

 

Mary and I are still in the Smokies. The weather and fall foliage has been incredible. The picture I’ve attached today is Headrick’s Chapel, taken in Wears Valley, Tennessee, sometime ago. We’ve gone by this church many times on our way to Cades Cove. It is situated on a hill next to the main road. It cannot be missed by anyone travelling through this small mountain town. I haven’t stopped there, though I may before this trip is finished because of the “Legend of the Funeral Tree” that is associated with this church. It sits right on a curve high on a hill, surrounded on three sides by a beautiful, historic cemetery. Interestingly this iconic little church was born out of a literal bolt of lightning.

 

Throughout the 1800s, there was no church building there. Funerals were held entirely outdoors. Mourners would gather under the branches of a massive, ancient oak tree that stood in the cemetery to shelter themselves from the mountain rain and snow. But in 1902, a violent storm moved through the valley. Lightning struck the legendary "funeral tree," destroying it. According to the legend, it was “blasted to pieces.” Left with no shelter, the community knew it was time to build a chapel. A local named Peter Headrick donated the land, and the valley went to work. Because materials and resources were scarce, four completely different denominations joined forces to build it. They signed a unique deed that split up the weekends of the month so Baptists and Methodists could share the space in harmony.

 

Because it was designed and built to replace the funeral tree, community law stated that funerals always took priority over regular church services. Whenever a valley resident passed away, someone would climb up to the belfry and ring the heavy church bell exactly once for every year of the person's life. If the bell echoed across the ridges 82 times, the whole valley knew a long-lived elder had gone home. The chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. No regular services are held there anymore, but that timeless bell is still tolled by valley residents to honor the dead.

 

Now, I don’t know if a bell will ring once for every year I’ve lived on this earth, but I know that my death will not be the end of my life! Our reading today clearly proclaims the victory Jesus has won on my behalf: “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (v. 27). Bells, whistles, horns, maybe even an angel or two shouting “hallelujah!”… none of those things will matter as much as being taken in heaven to greet Jesus face-to-face and reunite with all those loved ones and friends who have already gone!

 

Now… every time I see this picture of Headrick’s Chapel, I can be reminded of that great day!

 

A Mama Bear and Her Cubs

 

But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior. It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought; but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me. So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk beside the way. I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs; I will tear open their breast, and there I will devour them like a lion, as a wild beast would rip them open. (Hosea 13:4–8 ESV).

 

Mary and I have arrived in the Smokies! Earlier we were traveling though the mountains to 11crossover to Cherokee, North Carolina. We were hoping to see some of the bolder colors of fall… and we did! We also saw four bears in a tree near the road. Of course, I had to stop to snap a photo (attached) as everyone in the car admonished me not to get too close. It was a Mama bear and three of her yearling cubs. Black bear cubs stay with their mother for about 1.5 years, while grizzly/brown bear cubs stay for 2.5 to 3 years. The mother acts as a full-time teacher, showing her cubs how to dig for roots, find safe plants, fish for salmon, and tear open logs for insects. And for black bears, she teaches the cubs to scramble up tall trees with rough bark to rest or escape danger. A mother bear is notoriously protective ("mama bear") and will aggressively confront anything or anyone they sense and danger from toward her cubs.

 

In our reading today, God is warning the northern kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim) of approaching judgment. We see the reason in the earlier verses of the reading (vv. 3-4). God reminds Israel that He rescued and provided for them in the wilderness, but once they grew prosperous and full, they became proud, turned to idolatry, and forgot Him. God uses fierce predator imagery—an enraged mother bear and a hungry lion—to illustrate the sudden, unstoppable, and severe nature of His discipline because His people broke their covenant with Him.

 

We would do well to understand the imagery in our culture. God has made a covenant with His children through Jesus. When we become apathetic toward our relationship and drift from His purpose and will. There are often serious consequences. Of course, I am not suggesting that salvation is lost; however, the fruit of that redemption can certainly be “torn apart.” This verse is also a warning to false teacher who lead others away from the Lord. God see these people as predators of His young and will not hesitate to fiercely confront them.

God instructs and protects us. Do not turn away from His love and care for anything else!

 

Kuwohi

 

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. (Psalm 32:1–7 ESV).

 

This is the last devotional that I will write before going “live” in the Smokies. Today I am thinking of Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingmans Dome) is the highest point in Tennessee, the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the third-highest mountain east of the Mississippi River, sitting at an elevation of 6,643 feet. The name “Kuwohi” is the ancestral Cherokee name for this peak. For hundreds of years before European contact, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and their ancestors knew the mountain by this name, which translates to “mulberry place” in the Tsalagi language. It is considered a focal point of traditional Cherokee homelands. Cherokee medicine people historically climbed the peak to pray, fast, and seek spiritual guidance from the “creator” before returning to advise tribal towns. As you can see from the attached picture, there are some incredible views available from this point straddling the state lines between North Carolina and Tennessee.

 

Perhaps more interesting is the fact that this mountain was believed to be a prominent place for important council meetings held by the bears of the Smokies! Regardless of the truth of that assertion, we do know that during the forced removal and the Trail of Tears in the 1830s, the rugged, remote slopes of Kuwohi provided a hiding place and haven for Cherokee individuals and families who managed to stay behind in their native land.

 

That reminded me of our reading today. David in writing this psalm, speaks of the refuge we find in the forgiveness of the Lord. That is our only real “hiding place! Only in Him do we find a protective shelter, hiding place, and shield during times of trouble and distress.

Have you ever noticed someone who just has that inner peace about them when difficult times enter into their lives? They cannot be shaken because their joy comes from their personal relationship with God through Christ. They know Him as “Father,” and their hope is in the truth of their adoption as His children through faith in Christ. As children of God, they are forgiven of all sins. That is the kind of peace and a happiness the world knows nothing about. It is a peace that does not go away when flood waters and fires take our homes, when cancer is detected in our body, or when a tragic car accident takes the life of an innocent child. God’s peace and the happiness it brings are unshakable to those who find their refuge in Christ!