When You Face Struggles

 

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. (ESV) (Psalm 55:1-8; 22 ESV).

 

I hope you have never found yourself in such a difficult circumstance that you just wanted to run away. Sometimes in life, the troubles we face can cause deep inner turmoil. We may struggle with our mental health, a physical disability or disease, a relationship that feels stuck, a difficult career, a deep disappointment or loss, a cycle of poverty, or something else. Many different things can make us feel trapped. I know that such times are real. David, in our reading today was facing such a time in his life. He gives us an insight that we might find the peace we so desperately seek.

 

When David wrote this psalm, he was feeling disillusioned and stuck. He was distraught by the situation he was in, and he felt betrayed by a friend. He desperately wanted a way out and dreamed of being like a dove so he could fly far away from all his troubles. But as he wrestled with his discouragement, he grew to understand that although he did not have wings to fly away, he did have a voice to call upon God. The solution to being released from life’s burdens isn’t to escape but to give them up to the Lord: “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you.”

 

Echoing the assurance of this psalm, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… Learn from me… and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Come too Him. He will sustain you!

 

My Refuge and Fortress

 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.  “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91 ESV).

 

Look at the light in your room now. Feel the heat coming from it. See its blinding brightness—how this tiny thing can light up a room. Now imagine a small warehouse full of nothing but lightbulbs shining, lining its shelves from top to bottom—this is like the brightness of a single bolt of lighting. Lightning is a striking display of raw power in nature, stunning and destructive. People need to protect themselves from lightning. Many cultures throughout history feared lightning as a god.

 

Sometimes, we say, sudden events strike us like lightning. A sudden death or accident or disaster—even an overwhelming temptation—can grip us like a bolt from the blue. When that happens, where can we find a place of protection and safety? What is so powerful, so firm, to keep us safe from the outpouring of danger and destruction?

 

The Lord is our refuge, our fortress, our rock. This is a common theme in the psalms. The world and all the forces of evil cannot approach or destroy the safety we have in God. Whatever comes at you, God holds you in peace—safe and close in his care.

 

Seasons of Life

 

Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.” (Daniel 2:20–23 ESV).

 

Sometimes, as much as we want to hold on to the way things are, we must face the reality that change is a part of life. Teenagers are encouraged to “leave the nest,” and “empty nesters” gradually become accustomed to different rhythms in life as their children leave home. Still, even when it’s time for a change, we can tend to resist it.

 

The prophet Jeremiah refers to storks, doves, swifts, and thrushes, contrasting their wise behaviors with the foolishness of people who have turned away from the Lord: Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration (Jeremiah 8:7). Jeremiah laments the thick-skulled attitudes of the people around him, who lack wisdom because “they have rejected the word of the Lord.” The prophet is saying, in effect, “Even the birds know what needs to be done, but these people are so stubborn!” There is a season for everything, and it’s our task to recognize what season it is.

 

The invitation here is to consider what season it is for each of us. The wisdom of Solomon says:

 

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 ESV).

 

What season are you now in… rest in the knowledge that this is God’s best for your good!

 

Happy Birthday, Faith and Logan!

 

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD! And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. (2 Samuel 7:18–21 ESV).

 

Thanksgiving Day! I pray each of you who are reading this day’s devotional will have used the previous days to reflect on our wonderful, gracious Father in heaven who has given us so much. I’m returning one more time to Faith and Logan, as this is their birthday and they have been such an inspiration to me personally. You can see from the two pictures I’ve included a bit of the growth and development in their lives.

From young children to young adults they have given me so much to be thankful for; however, my ultimate gratitude must be centered in the work of grace in their lives.

 

Yes, they are Aggies through and through. Some might say they really didn’t have a lot of choice in that. I would say it a bit differently. They became what they saw modeled and heard taught. This is also true of their faith. They are Aggies; however, more importantly they are believers. That was also modeled and taught.

 

I am so thankful that their Mom and Dad were so intentional about that. I celebrate their accomplishments academically; and, I rejoice greatly in their journey of faith! Like King David in our reading today I echo his words: O Lord GOD! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. (v. 21). Happy Birthday, Faith and Logan! Thank God for His faithfulness in all things!

 

Have you learned to be thankful in all times… if not, begin today!

 

 

Giving Thanks in All Times - Pt. 6

 

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:12–24 ESV).

 

This day before Thanksgiving I want us to fast-forward to 2025. For those of you who are not familiar with Aggie Tradition, a little background might be helpful. Aggie Rings are one of the most important traditions we have. It is a celebration of an achievement that we pride ourselves in earning. In fact, one of the statements heard at the ring ceremony is that they are earned not given. The picture today was taken on Kyle Field of our three generations of Aggies. Faith and Logan earned their rings this year just as their parents and grandparents did many years ago. It was a wonderful moment. It was very easy to be thankful.

 

These are times when it is easy to be thankful. The other times, when it is more difficult, we often turn our attention to “being patient.” However, as the apostle Paul summarizes our attitude, he says it is God's will for us to be thankful "in all circumstances." It may help to note that Paul is not saying we should be thankful for all circumstances but in them. When things seem to go against us, I think God expects us to be grateful that his hand holds us and helps us to endure under the strain. That's a big challenge, to look for reasons to be thankful when the going is tough.

 

Sometimes it can be equally difficult for us to be thankful when things are going well. We might not think it would be that way. After all, when things go well, we have so much to be grateful for. But the very nature of human beings, even if we are Christian, is to overlook the multitude of God's good gifts to us every day. Let me suggest that today you sit still where you are and exercise the gift of noticing. Notice what you see, what you have, and who is with you. Notice the color, beauty, and variety around you. Keep noticing, and make a list of the gifts you notice. Then give thanks to God, the great giver!

 

Giving Thanks at All Times - Pt. 5

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4–9 ESV).

 

For today’s devotional thought I need to take you back with me to 1971, long before Faith and Logan were born. Though they have a role to play in the recognition of how God was faithfully leading me into His provision of good for our lives all along. I began my Master of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist theological Seminary in January of 1971 immediately following my graduation from Texas A&M. Those were very difficult years with lengthy stories that I cannot share with more than bullet points in the space available through this medium. Before my graduation from A&M Mary and I needed to reveal to my parents the change from Catholicism to Southern Baptist and my call into vocational ministry as a pastor. That did not go well. We were literally banned from their presence and told never to return home again. Hurt is much too small a word to describe the pain of that experience.

 

Over the coming months we honored their demand, though I called each week to check in, often receiving a cold or indifferent response. At the same time Mary and I began to pray for the Lord to grant us peace and calling to what we believed was the best possible place of service. We dreamed of serving somewhere in Middle Tennessee (close to our beloved Smokie Mountains) where I could pastor a small rural church and practice pastoral care and counseling full time. Over the next three years we were able to restore some relationship with my parents as they began to see the joy God had given us in preparing to serve in this calling. I graduated in December 1973. Two weeks before graduation I had not received any invitation to interview for any position. I began to wonder if I had made a mistake. It was at that time that I recognized that perhaps I simply didn’t trust the will of God working in my life. Mary and I determined that we would go wherever and whenever God deemed good. I applied for further studies in the doctoral program and was content to prepare more while we waited on the Lord. Just days later I received a call from the Texas Baptist Student Division to interview for a position as a college student minister. That was certainly never on our radar!

 

However, it was the first step God needed us to take in the journey that would take until March, 2011 for us to receive what we asked God to do forty years earlier. We went to Tyler Junior College as the BSU Director, which led to associate pastor at FBC, Tyler. There I came under the guidance of one of my three mentors, Bill Samburger, who was a great friend and mentor. Two years later I went to University Heights Baptist Church as pastor; then to FBC, Mt. Pleasant; then to Southern Oaks Baptist Church, Tyler, then finally to North Side Baptist Church, Weatherford. All of these were large churches in Texas. None of them matched our prayers of seminary days, though each played a significant role in God’s granting of my heart’s desire.

 

Health issues resulted in my resignation from North Side Baptist and a year of recuperation. Needing to stay in Weatherford so that our youngest son could finish high school where he started, I took a job offered by the owner of a large auto group. I still preached often in other churches and across many denominational lines, while at the same time learning much more about those things that would be essential for the next steps in our journey. When Faith and Logan were born these steps made it possible to make the move to North Carolina.

 

It still was not a “small rural church in Middle Tennessee with a full-time counseling ministry”; but, it was full of joy and purpose. A few years passed and Kyle made the decision to move to a position at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Of course, we followed. That led to the formal development of Grace Restoration Ministries and a call to Santa Fe Baptist Church in a small community just east of Columbia, Tennessee. God had answered our prayer of forty years past! You can see from the Easter Sunday picture I’ve attached with the church in the background that church I Mary and I prayed for all those years ago. God was working that good in His time all along. All of the places I served were great places, but this church became our last church and the fulfillment of our heart’s desire.

 

This journey was not without pain and difficulty; however, it was also full of grace. If grace reveals that joy is a gift, then prayer is the Lord’s gracious means through which he daily sustains that joy. We sometimes believe we are independent, self-sufficient people. Our tired minds, aching backs, and callous hands that produced a successful career and a comfortable home seem to affirm that myth. But what if corporate restructuring takes away the paycheck, or terminal illness robs our strength and vitality? Anxiety, worry, and fear set in, taking the place of our pride.

 

Life comes from the Lord, and so does daily help. We come to the Lord through prayer, and the fruit of prayer is peace. Yet prayer is not a mantra, and we can’t use it to try to manipulate God. Prayer is a divine gift to strengthen the bonds of love between us and God. The act of prayer itself affirms our dependence on him for peace and joy. That’s the prompt for Thanksgiving. Rest in the assurance that God is working His best good in your life, no matter how strange each turn looks like! Listen to the Apostle Paul again:

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (v. 8).

 

Giving Thanks at All Times - Pt. 4

 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever; and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever. It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136 ESV).

 

Our reading today is a bit lengthier than normal. Part of the reason for that is how the psalmist simply doesn’t end the sentence until the 23^rd verse! However, the other is a bit more practical in our application. Each of these verses carry with it a reason why we may trust the truth of the chorus: …for His steadfast love endures forever.”

 

Using the same experience as the first three of this devotional series, let me continue with a story from how Mary and I  moved to North Carolina to be geographically closer to Faith and Logan. It began with an innocent conversation with Kyle soon after their birth. Mary was still staying in North Carolina helping with some of the chores of raising two premature babies. Kyle called and began with a report of how well everything was going, though I could tell he had something else entirely on his mind. After a bit he asked, “Dad, why don’t you and mom move to North Carolina? We would love for y’all to be close to us. I would sure hate for you to miss any of the things they will do as they grow.” Well, he was right. Both David and Aaron were grown and out of the house and Mary and I could take our skills and find employment as easily there as where we were. Well, the wheels started moving quickly. Our house sold quickly, we found jobs in North Carolina quickly, we secured housing there quickly. It was an easy transition. What I didn’t know was how all the “puzzle pieces” of my life were coming together into a plan for God to do so many things in our lives.

 

We did see all the “firsts”. As you can see from the picture I’ve attached, we even saw them ride their first “rocking horse.” By the way, Kyle and I made that for them. What a joy spending time constructing it together with him; and then seeing the joy on their faces as they played with it was just added blessing. Yes, there were hard things too. Life is often littered with both joy and hardship. Just as the psalmist writes each of the experiences leading to the declaration that God’s love endures forever, so today we can learn from both good and bad that we are never left alone and every experience is used for our good.

 

I think you will see that in the coming days, as I share more of this part of the journey. Today, make your list of experiences, and look back at the journey through the lens of God’s faithful presence and provision. See if you don’t come to the same conclusion that His love does indeed endure forever!

 

Giving Thanks at All times - Pt. 3

 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6 ESV).

 

Faith and Logan are the inspiration for my devotionals this week; however, there have been many other experiences that God used to teach me the importance of gratitude. I continue with a few of the experiences with them in the hope that you will see clearly the incredible goodness of God also. The picture today is still in the NICU. They had not been released into the regular nursery yet. As is true with many newborns, they had actually lost a little weight and seemed even more fragile. While Brandy and Kyle held them as often as possible there was no way I would risk holding them. My fear of doing something wrong was too great for that! After two days of politely declining to hold them in the rocking chair, Brandy said, “Don, sit down in the rocker, you’re going to hold your grandchildren.” I was terrified. I sat down and she brought Logan and handed him to me. I rocked him for a bit and then she took him and replaced Logan with Faith in my arms. I cannot describe the great joy that washed over me. I knew God had done a great good for me. Grandpa was smitten!

 

The Bible calls us to be thankful for and content with everything we have. Our family, health, meals we can share with loved ones, and of course life itself— all are precious gifts from the Lord. But discontent, greed, or fears don’t allow us to fully appreciate and treasure the precious gifts of life. We don’t know what the future holds. We might have to go through difficult times, but as the children of God we are assured of his continuous love and care. The Lord himself is our helper in this perilous life.

 

I had no idea what the future would bring. However, God had been working in my life to allow me to do much more than just see them for those few days when they were born. But that’s a story for tomorrow! Today, would you acknowledge the grace of God and His great love for you, even when it appears so counter intuitive.

 

Giving Thanks in All Times - Pt. 2

 

David’s Song of Thanks. Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! (1 Chronicles 16:8–13 ESV).

 

God has continued to remind me through the years of how important it is to be thankful. That thankfulness should result in my willingness to share the goodness and grace God has shown to me with others. The picture I’ve attached is just two days after Faith and Logan were born. They were still in the NICU because of their weight and being six weeks premature. They certainly were little. Faith (on the left) weighed 4 lbs. 11 ounces; and, Logan (on the right) was a bit heavier at 5 lbs. 1 ounce. They looked so fragile in the basinet, yet I saw the strength of the grace of God surrounding them.

 

The doctors were encouraging, though there was one thing that they revealed to Kyle and Brandy that was concerning. Logan’s palm lines were unusual. Some believed that it may be an indicator of an illness that could affect his mental development. Standing at the basinet with Kyle, as he shared that news, he told me the only way it would not be a concern was if it was a genetic marker that was passed down from parents or grandparents. As he described the lines he told me that Logan’s did not separate in the middle of his palm, rather there was a line that went straight across the palm. He asked me if I knew of anyone in our family who might have had the same marker. I lifted my left-hand palm up to him and said, “You mean like this?” My palm line does not separate, and though people have thought many things about me, mental deficiency was never one of them! He sighed and said, “I never noticed that about your hand.” I said, “I guess Logan got a little of me from God.” And we both chuckled a bit. By the way, Logan’s mental ability is just fine. He will be graduating from Texas A&M in May with a 3.96 GPA. He is way better than his grandpa in that department!

 

The key is in the sharing of God’s good toward us. Being thankful is a witness. In our reading today, King David wanted to tell everyone how great God is! The occasion of bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem was no exception. David wanted everyone to join in the celebration of praise.

David’s psalm is long and rich. It sparks our praise for a wide variety of things: for God’s wonderful acts and his holy name (vv. 9-10); for God’s strength, “miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” (v. 12); that God “remembers his covenant forever” (v. 15); for God’s protection when his people were vulnerable (vv. 19-22); and, for that “splendor and majesty are before him, strength and joy are in his dwelling place” (v. 27). The families of all nations are then invited, even commanded, to give God “the glory due his name,” to bring an offering, and to worship him “in the splendor of his holiness.”

 

My question for you as we approach this season of Thanksgiving is what can you add to this rich list of thanksgiving? A thankful heart should be a testimony to the greatness of God!

 

 

Giving Thanks in All Times - Pt. 1

 

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:14–22 ESV).

 

God has a way of teaching me in the circumstances of my life. The picture I’ve attached is of my oldest grandchildren, Faith and Logan (they are fraternal twins). They will be 22 years old on Thanksgiving Day this year. The fact that they were born on Thanksgiving Day is the real story. Being twins makes their premature birth somewhat unusual, though there were many other things surrounding their birth that were much more unique. The greatest challenge was in delaying the birth long enough for them to have a higher chance of survival. Early in the pregnancy Brandy was placed on bed rest and ultimately ended in the hospital for weeks as the doctors did everything possible to delay the birth to that point. All through the process my prayer was that they would make it to at least 32 weeks. When that milestone was reached every subsequent day was a greater blessing. That was also the time that it dawned on me that God was going to do something very special with their birth.

 

Looking at the calendar, I noticed that Thanksgiving that year would put them at about 36 weeks. I just knew that would be the day they would come into this world. That’s just how God seems to deal with my stubborn independence. Sure enough, Kyle called Thanksgiving morning and told me I needed to get a flight from Texas to North Carolina as the twins were about to be born. I told him, “No problem.” You see, I had already purchased my plane ticket weeks earlier. When I told him that, he said, “Dad, how did you know?” I just replied, “That’s God reminding me of who I need to be thankful to for their birth.”

 

Giving thanks to God is harder than we like to admit. Augustine wrote that sin makes each of us naturally “curved inward” or self-absorbed and viciously self-seeking. As a result, we tend to ignore God’s goodness and compassion. But genuine thanksgiving to God is possible in Christ. This takes careful thought, disciplined prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit. I hope that the next few devotionals will help you with this. Use them to develop a pattern of gratitude for all things in your life. Even when the circumstances of life don’t seem to make sense, God is working them all to produce good in you. It is His promise (cf. Romans 8:28).

 

 

God is Indescribable - the King on His Throne

 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” (Revelation 21:1–7 ESV).

 

Some imagery that appears in the beginning of the Bible is contrasted or expanded upon in the final chapters of God’s grand story of salvation. The unformed abyss in Genesis 1, for example, is contrasted with the stunning architecture of the heavenly city in Revelation 21. The tree of life in the garden of Eden (cf. Genesis 2:9; 3:22-24) is multiplied in Revelation 22 and described as constantly bearing fruit and providing healing for the nations. And the image of the Spirit hovering and brooding over the waters is contrasted with the One who is now seated on the throne.

 

Creation will be complete, fully formed and mature, and we will enjoy glorious, delightful friendship with our loving Creator, who invites us to live with him in the perfect unity of love that has always characterized God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The awe-inspiring creation that we live in today will be the foundation for the new creation, and we can look forward to rejoicing along with birds and all other creatures in the new heaven and earth.

 

Not only is Christ seated in the heavenly realms, but we who love and trust him are also raised up with Christ and are seated with him even now (cf. Ephesians 2:6). This means our lives are firmly grounded and maturing in Christ as we enjoy the intimacy of living in communion with God each day while awaiting his coming again. That is Good News!

 

God is Indescribable - the Shepherb of the Shadows

 

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23 ESV).

 

In some translations of the Bible, the “darkest valley” in Psalm 23:4 is called “the valley of the shadow of death.” Regardless of the translation, the idea of a shadow-cast valley can be frightening. This imagery can remind us of a traumatic loss or a difficult crisis, and our memories of such things can be fearful and frightening.

 

I have had many conversations with those who have experienced the grief of their spouse of many years dying. One in particular stands out to me as I think about the protection that God gives to us when we are walking through these darkest of times. This lady had been married for over 60 years when her husband died. While sitting across from me in the office she began to spread out some of the photos taken during their ling life together. Each one carried a special memory for her. The stories were vivid and interesting. After she finished she shared with me her insight on Psalm 23. She spoke about the “valley of the shadow of death,” and how dark it can be when mourning the loss of a loved one. She talked about how quiet and still the house had become; how hard it was to stay in a home filled with memories. It was heartbreaking to hear, yet she also shared a glimpse of hope she had discovered while traveling through that valley. The only way for a shadow to exist, she said, is for a source of light to be present. A shadow is not the absence of light, but rather the evidence of a light nearby. She also noted that the greater the source of light, the smaller the shadow that is cast.

 

As we move closer to the holidays, I pray that whatever valley you may be in, the light of Christ may shine bigger and brighter—and that he may be the source of your strength.

 

God is Indescribable - the Great Encourager!

 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9–10 ESV).

 

There is no doubt in the description of God as the ultimate encourager due to His attributes like mercy, omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience. He is with people in all situations, to have the power to handle any circumstance, and to know what is needed to bring people out of discouragement. In the giving of the Holy Spirit to every believer who stays by our side, comforts us, counsels us, and helps us through stressful times we can see another aspect of this indescribable characteristic of God. The Holy Spirit is the one who gives strength and prays for us. And, then, when we see the life of Jesus we see the perfect description of an encourager through His teachings and actions. God is indeed the Great Encourager.  

 

Let’s dive a bit deeper to understand the practical application of this truth. Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, urgently encouraged Christians in the first century as they endured intense persecution, suffering, trials, and hardships. I imagine that Peter’s words also helped to lift himself up in some way, especially considering the changes he went through since first meeting Jesus near the Sea of Galilee. Once a professional fisherman, he soon became a church planter, a pastor, an encourager, and a defender of the faith. He went from mending nets to leading the newly formed church of Jesus Christ, full of freshly baptized believers. He could only have become this man because of Jesus’ encouragement after the resurrection (cf. John 21:15-19).

 

In our reading today Peter’s words are unapologetically bold while also being full of grace and love. Although these words were written over 2,000 years ago, they are just as true today for you and me, because we too are God’s chosen people, a group called to be ministers and shepherds in our homes and communities. We have been set apart by God’s grace, and we are heirs with Christ in his glorious kingdom, which is yet to come in its fullness. God has given us the wonderful and beautiful gift of salvation, the light of eternal life that eliminates the darkness of sin and death, for which we were once destined. We are encouraged to be an encourager!

 

God is Indescribable - a Master Gardener!

 

[Jesus said] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:1-8 ESV).

 

I do not claim to be a gardener, much less a master gardener. My father-in-law certainly was a master horticulturist, having earned his PhD in Plant Genetics and teaching and doing research in the development of many different varieties of vegetables. I do remember a brief lesson in the pruning of grape vines when he was living in Longview, Texas. He had several varieties of grapes growing in his backyard. I learned there is a very specific way to prune in order to create the right growth for maximum fruit yield.

 

I don’t know if there is any pain involved for the vine when the shoots are pruned away, though in the spiritual sense of “pruning” it certainly can be a painful process for us. It can also be a time of frustration with the Gardener for lopping off parts of me without asking for my opinion or permission.

 

Thinking about it a little more, gardeners don’t prune out of anger or frustration. They prune because they want the plant to grow healthier and stronger so that it can bear good fruit. The gardener sees the overall vision of the plant, while the plant can only “see” what’s right in front of them. With that in mind, Jesus’ words here make good sense. Pruning is the way God removes parts of us that are overgrown and not producing. It may mean we have to let go of some comforts, and doing that can remove troublesome distractions in our life. Through pruning we are able to see more clearly who we are and what God has in mind for us, even if that means enduring some pain along the way.

 

Whatever might pain us in the pruning process, it’s the transforming of our heart, mind, and soul that God wants to see, because he wants our fruit to grow—fruit that one day we will be able to share with others for the goodness and glory of our Lord, the master gardener. He won’t make any unnecessary “cuts.” Trust Him!

 

God is Indescribable - a Master Angler!

 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV).

 

You may have read in previous posts of my love of the sport of fly-fishing. I have enjoyed many different locations seeking rainbow trout with my fly-rod. Anyone who has experienced catching a rainbow can tell you about all the excitement that can unfold when you hook one. The jumps and tail-walking across the surface of the water are exhilarating! It’s even greater when you hook a fish much bigger than one you planned for. The picture I’ve included today was taken in Tennessee with one of the rainbows I caught. It was a very good one, though I did catch a bigger one in Alaska. My face certainly reflects my joy at this accomplishment.

 

An angler—that is, a person who fishes with a rod and line—typically uses the equipment they need for catching a particular kind of fish. To catch a medium-size fish (like a trout), for example, you need tackle for that size of fish. But sometimes with that gear you can hook a much larger fish (like a salmon). And when that happens, chaos can break loose. The reel will spin furiously, unloading the line as the large fish swims powerfully away. Usually then you’ll have just two options: to let the fish run, and hopefully tire it out so that you can catch it; or simply to cut the line and let the fish go. A determined angler may decide to hold on, skillfully using the rod and line through a long tug of war and gradually reeling the fish in.

 

In some ways our relationship with God can be like that. We might be thinking we are free to do as we please, but God can “hook” us, and even though we might try to outrun and overpower him, he will never cut the grace-line or count us as a lost cause. He’ll fight for us and battle with us—and when all is said and done, he gives us the freedom to live a new and full life that is far beyond our imagining! In that way, He is a Master Angler!

 

God is Indescribable - a Strong Fortress!

 

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:1–7 ESV).

 

If you’re somewhere in the neighborhood of my age you will remember the polio outbreak of the 1950’s. It was a series of epidemics in the United States that peaked in 1952, causing widespread fear and resulting in nearly 58,000 cases, over 3,000 deaths, and thousands of cases of paralysis. The outbreaks led to public health measures like quarantines, and fear of contagion resulted in cancelled events and social isolation for many children. The crisis was eventually resolved with the development and widespread use of the polio vaccines by Jonas Salk in 1955 and Albert Sabin in 1961. The first delivery system of the vaccine was a series of three injections.

 

I was only 8 years old at the time, but I remember the experience vividly. We had a family doctor who made “house-calls” as was common then. The first time he came with his little black bag I was unaware of what he was there for. Daddy simply called me downstairs to come. I did and was greeted by the doctor with the BIGGEST needle I had ever seen in my young life. Of course he said, “this won’t hurt.” Never believe that! It hurt a lot. About two weeks later the doctor came again, black bag in hand. Well, I wasn’t lining up for that again, so, I went into the garage and grabbed my baseball bat and threatened to defend myself with all the strength I could muster. Needless to say, that didn’t go well. Another big shot in the arm! I began my planning immediately, since I overheard the doctor tell Daddy that he’d see me in a couple of weeks with the last of the injections. When I saw him approaching I grabbed my trusty BB gun and climbed up in the rafters of the garage offering me a perfect snipers’ perch when he walked into the garage. Well, that ended the same as the first two with the addition of a good spanking for trying to shoot the doctor! Thankfully that delivery system was changed soon and everyone could take the vaccine by eating a sugar cube on which it was placed.

 

Here’s the point… no matter what I tried, there was no safe shelter from what I perceived as a great danger. This is at the heart of our reading today. God offers us a more effective security and safety from the storms of life when pain flashes through our hearts and crises rattle us to the bone. Like a great comforter and yet stronger than a mighty fortress, our God invites us to take shelter in him and to be protected by his love, which is gentle and yet stronger than any force or calamity that may threaten.

 

A part of God’s indescribable nature is that He is our mighty fortress! Run to Him! He will not fail you!

 

God is Indescribable - an Advocate

 

[Jesus said] “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15–17 ESV).

 

The word Jesus uses in our reading today and translated “Helper” is actually the word for “advocate.” We should remember that an advocate offers support and pleads on behalf of someone (or something), ensuring fair and honest treatment. An advocate aims to look after, protect, care for, and fight for the one they are assigned to. The Bible’s word for this, in Greek, is paraclete, and this means “called to the side of.”

 

The Holy Spirit, our paraclete, is God’s gift to all who follow Jesus. The Spirit of God continues the work of Jesus by empowering us to continue the Lord’s work on this earth: teaching, sharing the good news of God’s salvation, caring for the sick—the list goes on and on. In addition, the Holy Spirit helps us understand the truth of the message and ministry of Jesus. The Spirit of truth not only helps our understanding but is also our Counselor and Comforter, and these roles tie in with the work of an advocate as well.

 

Christians and the church have been given the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, who comes alongside to protect and defend, encourage and embolden, admonish and correct. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s people carry on the truth of God’s redemptive plan for all creation.

 

If you are depending on anything or anything else to be your advocate, you will be disappointed. Trust in the only One who has the power to redeem and protect us! If you have God, you have all you need!

 

God is Indescribable - Master of All

 

[The Lord said to Job] “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass? Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew? From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven? The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.” (Job 38:22–30 ESV).

 

The picture I have included in today’s devotional is one of the first homes I grew up living in. The picture was taken over fifty years later than those childhood days, and a lot of remodeling has taken place. It is in Galveston, Texas. The first floor was entirely occupied by our family-owned grocery store. In those days the big supermarkets had not made their way into our culture and the corner grocery/meat market was an integral part of the community. We lived on the second floor of the structure. It was a two-bedroom, one bath home. I remember well the three twin beds where my brothers and I slept in one of those bedrooms. It seemed plenty big to me as I was growing up. Now, I wonder how we managed!

 

That seems to be a common theme as we get older and look back. The things that looked really big when we were a child don’t seem so big when you are older. But it’s not just the size of things that seems different; our perception of time changes too. When I was a boy, a summer night seemed to last and last, and a school year seemed to go on forever. Life changes as we age. Congested calendars and stacked schedules abbreviate our lives. Deadlines, commitments, and requests beg, steal, and borrow our attention from the beauty of life and the creation God has given us to care for and enjoy.

 

Maybe even more tragic is that we can lose our sense of God’s grandeur as we grow older. As children, we tend to view God as huge and magnificent, someone with incredible power and ability, able to do even more than any superhero! As we age and live longer, though, we can tend to question God’s actions, critique his plans, and challenge his authority. We might even believe we know what’s best for us, thinking we know our situation better than God does.

 

This is something of the context of our reading today. Job has come to question God in his pain and suffering. God’s answer is very clear: “Where were you when I created and ruled over all that is?” God is not being condescending or cruel. Job’s suffering was enormous; however, God’s power and promise was much greater. Job comes to understand that after this revelation. He turns to God in submission and recognizes God’s greatness.

 

There’s the message for us today. We need to turn to our Creator and ask for his mercy, for he holds us in his hands and truly loves and cares for us always. Trust Him. He alone is the Master of All!

 

God is Indescribable - Trusted Friend

 

[Jesus said] “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” (John 15:11-17 ESV).

 

Our reading today may be familiar to you. We have been in this passage recently. As I was read from Proverbs recently, I came to a verse declaring the importance of a “friend.” Solomon writes: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17 ESV). One of God’s greatest gifts to humanity is relationships. We are created for relationships; we are designed by God to be in community with others.

 

We will meet many people over our lifetime. With some, we will have no more than brief interactions in passing by, and with others we will have friendly acquaintances. Still others will become friends, even close friends, and others will become companions for life. With some friends our relationships can feel as close as family, like a brother or sister, and we may love them just like family members. These are friends who will be there in both good times and bad, triumphs and tragedies, times of joy and times of sorrow.

 

Did you know that, in Jesus, God is actually our closest friend? He isn’t a passerby who merely sizes us up, or an acquaintance who enters our life from time to time. Jesus is our brother, our closest friend, who gave up his own life so that we can become the adopted children of God, members of God’s everlasting family, and coheirs in his eternal inheritance (cf. Romans 8:14-17).

 

What an incredible truth to ponder today! He is our trusted friend! This is the nature of our God!