Windows of the Soul

Be still .... and know

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1, 2a, 10-11)

 

For years I have been guilty of being a workaholic.  Worrier.  In constant motion. A take charge, make it happen, fix it and finish it, kind of person.  But lately, I have been taking time to think, pray, ponder; watch birds and ducks play in my backyard and the pond beyond.  I've been listening more, and letting God lead more.  

 

Each morning the sun rises.  Every evening it sets.  All of nature sings praises to our God and King.  The psalmist reminds us, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. ... [Yet] ...  they use no words; no sound is heard from them (Psalm 19:1-3, NIV).

 

As we go about our days here on earth we are reminded of things that are not perfect.  There are wars, bombings, crimes, abuse, fights, arguments, things wear out and wear down.  Just look and listen.  The newspaper, the radio, the internet are full of bad news.  These things cause many to fear.  Look at your surroundings, even at home.  Things need to be done, they get old and need constant upkeep or replacing.  As we look and listen, we are reminded of our humanity.  The imperfectness of our daily lives.  Our willfulness.  Our sinfulness.  Our depravity.  Our greed and wickedness.  We see it on display in the news, on the internet, in our daily interactions.  We are reminded of our need for God.

 

Despite all these things (our neediness, our imperfections, our sin), God holds the universe in his hands.  He didn’t create the havoc;  we did.  Our sin, idolatry, greed, dishonesty, laziness and rebellion has caused this mess. 

 

And yet, the sun still rises every morning and sets every evening. Jesus did say, "In this world you will have trouble (John 16:33)."  We are human, imperfect, selfish creatures. 

 

So, what’s the answer to this chaos we have created?  The answer lies in our faith.  Our focus. Our Father in heaven. 

 

God himself is our refuge – if we will run to Him for protection.  He is our helper, guardian, if we will trust Him.  He is our fortress, if we will stay within his walls of His protection. He is our strength, if we will just be still and know, depending on Him to do what we cannot do.  We are to dwell on His word and remain in the shadow of His wing.  If we would just focus on Him, we would begin to realize that despite our fears, fussing, feuding and fighting, He has it under control ….  no matter how much we try to mess things up. 

 

Be still and know.   God will be exalted among the nations.  He will be exalted in the earth.  He will be with us, if we will just be still and know.   

 

Selah. 

 

Prayer and Presence

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. (2 Chronicles 32:7-8, emphasis mine)

 

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

 

 

 There are two distinct verses for today.  Both are for believers.  One speaks of the difficulties of our ancestors, the Israelites, as they fought their enemies. The other speaks of the power of prayer for the righteous person. 

 

In Scripture, we are continually reminded to be strong and courageous.  We are not to be afraid or discouraged because of our enemies, their power on display in the flesh, their threats, their armies poised for battle.

 

So, why is it so important to remain strong and courageous? For one, simply because it is God’s will that we remain strong, courageous and steadfast.  He promises to  help us and to fight our battles.  He wants us to rely on Him.  His great power is with us.  God is there with us to fight our battles.  Regardless of the battle. 

 

Why do we need to be reminded to be strong and courageous?  Sometimes what we can see in the realm of the flesh can be intimidating.  We live in both the physical and spiritual realms: the seen and the unseen.  As such, we can become intimidated by evil if we take our eyes off of God.  Think of the little nation of Judah going up against the King of Assyria and the vast army with him.  Sometimes life doesn’t look too promising – in our everyday circumstances - if all we look at is the flesh; that is, what we can plainly see.  There is more going on here than what our eyes can see.  The way things appear may not be the whole story.  God, in his infinite wisdom, power and love, reminds us over and over again that He is our God, He will help us, and He will fight our battles.  We need to simply stand in faith and believe. 

 

We are also reminded in the book of James that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  Our battles, dear friends, are fought on our knees – in prayer.  Our battles may also be fought in our minds and hearts.  They are won through faith in God, His Word, and His promises.  Our battles are won by relying on God, the creator, the Lord, to act on our behalf. This is powerful.

 

Have you really looked at those who pray, who rely on God, who walk with God?  They carry the Presence of the One who is the Source of all things.  Seen and unseen. It is God with us. God in us. God working through us. God working on our behalf. 

 

The take away? Pray and rely on the LORD to fight your battles.  Believe in His promises and walk with Him. The battle is not ours, it belongs to God.  Amen.  

 

Those Entrusted to You

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2-3)

 

Whatever we find ourselves doing, and no matter where we find ourselves in life and work, there are people and things that are entrusted to each one of us.  As parents, our children are entrusted to us.  As workers, specific responsibilities are entrusted to us.  Sometimes we find ourselves in a position of leadership overseeing others in the workplace, or programs to benefit others.  We find ourselves in places where people and things are entrusted to us. 

 

Regardless the level or the role, there is responsibility to those people or things entrusted to our care.  In the verses above, Christian leaders are exhorted to be shepherds of the flock under their care.  Those in positions of Spiritual Leadership are to take a personal interest in the well-being of those in their care.  They are to make sure the basics are covered.  Churches, especially now, are to help those in their flock who may be struggling with the basics of life: food and drink, clothing and shelter. 

 

Beyond the basics, the shepherd is to keep an eye on the horizon for new feeding grounds.  This may be literal or spiritual.  The literal has to do with the physical well-being, the resources available that benefit others.  The spiritual has to do with the spiritual growth and development of those entrusted to thier care.  The flock should recognize the Shepherd’s voice, and follow. 

 

The Shepherd, or leader in this case, is to not only watch over, take a personal interest in, make sure the basics are covered, and be on the look out for new feeding grounds, but s/he is to both serve the flock and be an example to the flock.  So that others might benefit and that they might follow.  Imitate.  Go and do likewise.  Pay it forward. 

 

Jesus is our great Shepherd.  He is our example.  Our pastors and leaders are to follow His lead.  We are called to follow as well. 

 

All of us have something or someone entrusted to us.  May we lead with honor, serve with dignity, and look out for the well-being of those entrusted to each one of us willingly. 

 

Selah.  

 

Taming the Tongue

 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.        9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (James 3:8; 3:7-11 context)

 

I’m wondering if there is a person alive that can tame the tongue?  Come on, we all have used it to not only praise, but also to curse.  To gossip.  Tell a little white lie.  And to cuss – which is technically not the same a cursing, by the way.  I know I am guilty. What about you? 

 So, what is meant by restless evil and deadly poison?  Evil, in and of itself, is restless.  The Bible describes Satan as an enemy that prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Destroy.  Words can do that, too.

When you hear gossip, can you just let it go and not repeat it?  When someone wrongs you, can you turn the other cheek, and let it go?  I don’t know about you, but my first inclination is always anger, retribution, and to tell someone.  Whether I act on it or not, my gut reaction is always vindication: an eye for an eye.

 So, what can we do?  The tongue – or what comes out of the mouth - is a result of what is going on in the mind and in the heart of a person.  What are you thinking about?  What’s in your heart?  Like it or not, sooner or later it comes out of the mouth; it can be seen in our actions.   

The Word tells us to think about whatever is lovely, true, noble, praiseworthy, of good report. Here’s the verse:  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Phil. 4:8, NIV).  

 As we dwell in and upon the Word of God, we assimilate His character – godliness, holiness, love, and so much more.  While my first inclination may be to my earthly or sinful nature, God in me (godliness) can take over as I give the situation to Him. 

 And so it is with the tongue.  Get in the habit of ‘holding’ your tongue.  Wait.  Put a moment between stimulus and response.  And in that moment where you pause, think  Philippians 4:8; pray a prayer to God; do a heart check; and then respond. Remember, a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1, NIV). 

 Let what comes out of your mouth resemble this word picture: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11).

 Selah. 

 

Hardship

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?  (Hebrews 12:7)

 

Admittedly, this is not a fun topic to write about.  If you’ve lived long enough, you have no doubt encountered hardship.  Especially in today’s economy: with homelessness, housing foreclosures, and any number of unfortunate events going on all around us.  We all seem to know someone who is facing hardship, or we have faced it ourselves.  Sometimes we look at another person’s life and see hardship – and it comes in any number of forms: emotional, physical, mental, situational.  The suffering can be from within or without, but it is still there.  No one is immune. 

 

Fortunately, for many of us, hardship gives way to better days.  After hardship, we seem to see greener grass, bluer skies, and know down deep that life is good.  But this happens on the upside of hardship. 

 

The Word tells us to endure hardship as discipline.  Hmm.  As a parent, I disciplined my children when they were out of line, or when they didn’t do what they were supposed to do.  Discipline came in the form of spanking, grounding, loss of privilege. 

 

Discipline, however, in this particular verse, I believe has to do with training imposed for the improvement of self-control, behavior, mental, physical or spiritual well being.  Discipline increases our capacities – in every realm. 

 

Athletes engage in physically challenging workouts.  To get better, they endure hardship (aches and pains from training).  The same goes in the mental realm, and spiritual realm. 

 

God may allow hardship for a time, so that you ultimately benefit.  Let’s hope so.  If we use times of hardship to steady ourselves, renew our resolve and increase our capacities, we will become people who have more to offer.  We have built capacity to endure. 

 

If you are struggling, hang in there.  Try this: change the way you look at hardship and see the discipline as a friend rather than the enemy.  Eventually, you will look back and realize you have come a long way, baby. 

 

Blessings.  Selah.  

 

The Fruit of Righteousness

Today’s Scripture Reading: Isaiah 32; Isaiah 33; Isaiah 34; Isaiah 35; James 2

 16 The LORD’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field.

17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

19 Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely,

20 how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free. (Isaiah 32:16-20)

 

Just as fruit appears on apple and a myriad of other trees, so it appears in the life of the believer whose life is rooted in the Almighty.  Just as any fruit tree sends down deep roots, is watered through the rains that fall on earth,  blossoms and bears fruit, so it is with the lives of those whose ways are committed to the LORD. 

 

We see real fruit in the lives of believers.  Their ways are righteous.  Along with moral uprightness, they are godly and virtuous people.  And the evidence of that righteousness is peace.  Quietness.  Confidence.  Secure homes.  Undisturbed places of rest.  Blessedness. 

 

Righteousness is basically right standing with God.  Its also right standing with our fellow man.  This brings the fruit of peace.  Peace with God and others.

 

Have you ever been in a peaceful place – either a physically peaceful surroundings, or just a peaceful place in your heart?  You can relax and be your best self, and maybe even let your hair down.  There’s a certain joy, and seeming effortlessness or ease that goes with it.

 

May our lives reflect the love of God, and reveal the fruit of righteousness today and always.  Peace be with you.  Selah.  

 

Certain

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) 

 

Have you ever just known about something, but had no proof?  You just “knew” when you met your husband.  Or you “just knew” when you stepped into a school that you would work there.  Or you “just knew” you needed to change directions.  And even though you just knew – you could not put anything tangible to it.  Just a gut feeling.  A knowing.  No proof.  You just knew. 

 

I have had these times.  Times when everything seems so impossible, so uncertain, and improbable – even though you ‘know’.  Even when everything in the physical world says no – when God says yes, you can bank on it. 

 

Faith is like that.  You cannot see the wind, but you can feel it.  You can see its presence in the way the tree branches blow.  Yet wind itself you cannot see.  But you know it is there. It’s the same with love.  You can feel love for someone, know you are loved by someone, and you can see tangible gestures of love.  But you cannot see love itself, just as you cannot see the wind.  Yet still – you know. 

 

Faith is the substance of what we hope for.  Substance brings with it the idea that it is real and tangible.  The gut feelings we talked about.  It may be a vision.  A dream.  It may be a notion.  A sense.  But we know. 

 

Even though everything in the physical realm may point to that knowing you have deep inside you as not becoming a reality, God, in his infinite creativity can make a way.  When God ordains something, all hell can try to stand in the way and it will not thwart the will of God. 

 

But faith is being sure of that.  The substance.  The evidence.  The sureness.  The certainty. 

 

What is it I can be sure of? All that God has promised. What is the evidence?  He said it, and God is true to His Word.  He reminds me regularly.

 

Lord God, each one of us can have faith in uncertain times and inhospitable conditions that what You have said is true.  Help is on the way.  You know the time and the place.  Our job is to believe.  To be sure.  To be certain.  To be still and know.  Selah. 

 

 

God and His Promises

And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. (Hebrews 6:15)

 

Paul has been writing and recounting the faith of the ‘greats’ among the Jewish people.  Abraham and Sarah waited twenty-five years for the child of promise.  Yes, twenty-five years.  They were in their nineties when they became parents to Isaac. 

 

Have you ever waited a really long time for something?  I mean, years?  I have.  And I have not always been patient. 

 

Waiting has been a journey and along the way I have grown tremendously.  One of the things I am currently doing is reading about training in my sport – road biking/cycling.  As I read and learn about training techniques, and what it takes to improve and become a champion, I realize the same principles hold true for my life and my work.   

 

Mental toughness.  Train with intention.  Focused efforts.  Specific targeted training to improve performance and meet training goals.  This is a different approach than I have used so far in my sport.

 

Abraham went about his life and waited patiently.  There was not a whole lot he could do to make it happen.  He simply had to wait.  Remain.  Believe. 

 

Waiting has always seemed like wasted time to me, in a way.  Hurry up and wait.  Life seems like endless periods of waiting in between short bursts of activity.  But, in reality, it isn’t.  Waiting is not so much a passive activity as an active one.  While the activity may seem absent, its work (the work of waiting) is profound, deep, and lasting.

 

Waiting gives our faith a chance to send down deep roots, and abide during seeming dormant periods.  Waiting gives us the tenacity to hold on and believe when we don’t see much happening on the outside.  Yet a lot is happening on the inside.  Waiting helps us focus on what we can control, not what we cannot control.  Waiting helps us learn to believe in ourselves and our abilities even in inhospitable conditions and circumstances.  Waiting helps us plan for times when the door of opportunity does open. Waiting allows us to shift our attention to other things and develop those things while we wait.  Waiting forces us to learn to be open to everything and hold on to nothing. 

 

Seems like waiting is a good teacher.  It brings out the best and worst in us.  It gives us opportunity for tremendous growth.  It develops our character, tenacity and the inner person. 

 

LORD, just as Abraham waited patiently to receive your promises, so must we.  My prayer is that you will fulfill your promises to me – in your perfect time and way.  I am open to receive your promises.  Amen.  

 

 

 

Stand

5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah's son have plotted your ruin, saying, 6 "Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it."

7 Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says:" 'It will not take place, it will not happen, 8 for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years 
Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.

 9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son.  If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.' "  (Isaiah 7:5-9)

 

For today’s devotion, verses 5, 7 and 9b stood out to me from the Isaiah chapter 7.  It seems there is a very short but poignant story in it. 

 

Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah banded together and plotted the ruin of Ahaz, king of Judah.  Isaiah was appointed to go to him and tell him to be careful, stay calm, and not to be afraid.  The Sovereign Lord said their plot would not take place.  It would not happen.  And later, “if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

 

And, as the story progressed, sure enough, what the Sovereign Lord said was true, it did not happen, it did not take place. 

 

There is a lesson in this for us today.  That lesson is to listen, to trust and to obey.  If God said it, you can count on it.  If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.  Period. 

 

Stand firm.  Believe what God has said to you.  Even if you do not see it realized yet, stand firm in what God has revealed and what he has promised.  Count on it.  Bank on it.  Stand firm in it.  And watch it unfold.  It may take years, it may only take moments.  But you can trust that when God, who is Sovereign over the universe, says it, you can trust it. 

 

Stand firm in your faith.  Stand. 

 

LORD, may we stand firm in everything you have said to us, everything you have revealed to us.  May we trust you completely, and know that if you said it, it is done.  Amen.   

 

 

 

 

God's Work

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. (1Timothy 1:3-7)

 

Today I want to focus on God’s work.  His work is accomplished by faith.  I included several verses around this phrase in I Timothy 1:4b, in order to give context to the devotion. 

 

As we study both the Old and New Testaments we discover not only Biblical characters, but we discover more about what God is like. We find that His work must be done in His way and in His timing.  Honestly, as we look at some of the accounts of events, we cannot help but wonder why God chooses to do things the ways he does. 

 

Why do evil men remain in power?  Why do the prophets suffer?  Why did he have men march around Jericho and blow horns on the seventh day?  Why did the widow’s flour and oil not run out for three years?  Why did Ahab and Jezebel remain in power despite their wickedness?  Why did God choose for a donkey to talk?  Why did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey? 

 

The short answer.  We don’t know.  Only God knows why he does certain things the way he does them.  We have no clue.   Our job is to trust, to obey, to remain steadfast, to be faithful.  We are to have a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.  We are to be God’s representatives here on earth. 

 

The truth is, we may never know.  But we do know this, we can trust in God’s love, character and goodness. 

 

LORD, may we recognize your work by the power of the Holy Spirit.  May we love you and trust you to do what is best for us in all things.  Amen. 

 

Selah.