Consolations for Our Cares

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Pete

The songwriter of Psalm 94 knew that all things work together for good, but those “things” were still working themselves out, and it wasn’t going very “good” right then.

He knew that one day God’s vengeance would shine forth over the darkness (94:1), but right now it was the wicked who were rejoicing in triumph (94:3). He knew God heard everything and saw everything (94:9), but those who killed the widow and murdered the fatherless did so freely and God seemed unawares (94:6-7). He knew that God would never leave them nor forsake them (94;14), but right now, if present, God seemed to be standing aside as the enemy crushed His people and afflicted His heritage (94:5).

Lot going on in the songwriter’s world. More than just a few things adding points to his stress chart. Sometimes it felt like too many things. Too much to process. Waking in the morning, his mind running amok. Waiting for the sun to come up, the elephant of anxiety standing on his chest. More than enough to worry about. Cares beyond counting. So where would his help come from? Well, to quote lyrics from another song in the same hymnal,

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

(Psalm 121:2)

From the LORD. From the Judge of the earth (94:2). From the Discpliner of His people (94:12). From the One the songwriter retreated to as his stronghold. The one he was determined to stand upon as the rock of his refuge (94:22). That’s where the songwriter would find consolations for his cares.

When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.

(Psalm 94:19 ESV)

Many cares, that’s what the songwriter was dealing with. And we’re not talking the type of cares that end up on a to-do list. No, these were the cares of the heart. “The multitude of my anxieties within me” (NKJV). An abundance of troubling thoughts which bombarded “the inner parts.” I imagine it as the sort of anxiety which takes the breath away.

But when the cares of his heart were many, the songwriter looked to the consolations of the Lord to cheer his soul. And that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

His comforts for our concerns. His trustworthy supports for our troubled souls. His consolations for our cares.

Consolations found in His word. How we need that anchor for the soul when the tempest is unrelenting. To be shown anew His promises. To be reminded afresh His power. To know in real-time — through the active agency of the Spirit of God illuminating the word of God — His presence.

Consolations found in worship. Don’t know what I’d do without music in my house. “Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” directing me towards “singing and making melody to the Lord” with my heart (Eph. 5:19). Singing with our heart has a way of displacing the cares of our heart. Not ignoring those cares, not pretending they’re not real, but putting them in the context of God’s never failing love. Hands lifted high (figuratively for us more conservative types) even with burdens that bend our backs low.

When I thought, “My foot slips,” Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

(Psalm 94:18 ESV)

Consolations found through His people. Connecting with those who want to share the sorrow, want to help bear the burden, even if all they can do is just listen and point us again to to the One who says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

These consolations not only keep us keepin’ on, they also “cheer the soul.” Bringing delight to the inner parts. God’s abiding presence a reason for thankfulness. God’s always available power a source of continuing awe. God’s unfailing promises priming the pump of hope and anticipation.

And though our minds might race, our hearts can be still. Though our anxieties can sometimes overwhelm, it can still be well with our soul.

Your consolations cheer my soul.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Blessed Be the Name

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Pete

You need the light of Ruth after the darkness of Judges. To be reminded that, even in those days when “there was no king” and “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Jud. 21:25), grace maintains a faithful remnant. A Moabite widow, though born outside the covenant, commits to God’s people as her people, and to Israel’s God as her God (Ruth 1:16). And grace foreshadows a ready, willing, and able redeemer. A man who owns the field, shows kindness to servants, and favor to this woman born outside the covenant.

No matter how you slice it, even with the bitterness that provides the backdrop for this story — a worn out woman who has lost both husband and sons and returns to the land of her fathers empty (Ruth 1:20) — this is a good news story. This is a pick me up when everything else is weighing you down. This is a story, it seems to me, for a pandemic.

For buried in it there is a phrase that, while true then, takes on a verity for today.

And [Ruth’s] mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

(Ruth 2:19-20 ESV)

Blessed be the man who took notice of you. I read that and whisper to myself, “Yes, blessed be the Man who takes notice of me.”

Boaz, a forefather of David the king (Matt. 1:5-6). Boaz, a foreshadow of the Son of David, our great Redeemer. Boaz, the man who took notice.

The lord of the land who had regard for a gleaner girl. The rich boss who took notice of a poor worker who cleaned up after his servants. A prominent citizen, a busy man, who was yet familiar with this girl’s story (2:11). A provider, though she had nothing with which to repay his generous provision (2:15-16). A protector, though she had no claim to his unmerited protection (2:9). No wonder she falls on her face before him and asks:

“Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

(Ruth 2:10b ESV)

Blessed be the man who took notice.

The man who understood the sorrow in her story. The man acquainted with her grief. The man able to sympathize with her weakness. The man who himself had suffered and was thus able to help in her suffering –sufficient to help her bear her burden. A man of means. A man of mercy. Blessed be the man.

So yes, blessed be that man. But blessed be, even more, the Man who takes notice.

The Man who knows my story. The Man acquainted with my grief. The Man able to sympathize with my weakness, “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).

The Man “made like His brothers [and sisters] in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people . . . able to help those who are being tempted” (Heb. 2:17-18).

The Man who created all things and for Whom all things exist (Col. 1:16). Yet, the Man who considered equality with God not something to be held onto but, compelled by mercy, “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Php. 2:7-8). Blessed be the Man.

No matter what burdens we were bearing 4 weeks ago, no matter what sorrow we shared in, no matter what temptations we were battling, they’ve all been amplified in this season of coronavirus cautions, COVID-19 quarantines, and constant body counts of those infected and dying around us.

But know, my soul, the Man takes notice. He has regard. He is not distant, distracted, or disinterested. He understands. And He will provide — mercies new every morning, grace sufficient for the day. His provision commensurate for the need.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Hebrews 2:16 ESV)

Blessed be the Man who takes notice.

“Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me . . .”

Blessed be His name . . . for His overflowing grace . . . for His everlasting glory.

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Implications of Resurrection

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Pete

Some in their midst — supposed brothers and sisters who gathered with them weekly to build up the church and take of the Lord’s supper — didn’t buy into resurrection. Oh, they knew that to fit in and get whatever they wanted to get out of being part of the gathering they had to sing songs and listen to sermons about Christ’s resurrection. But when it came to what they thought about their own life after death experience, they didn’t. They didn’t think about it because they didn’t believe it. “There is no resurrection of the dead,” they’d say (1Cor. 15:12). Three-score-and-ten on this earth, maybe a few more if you’re lucky, that was it. So they believed. So they lived. And so they went to church. And so Paul writes, “I say this to your shame” (1Cor. 15:34).

And Paul spells out the implications of “no resurrection of the dead.”

No resurrection from the dead? Then Christ has not been raised. Your faith is vain. What you believe is futile and you still stand in the rebellion of your sin before God.

And if Christ has not been raised from the dead then there’s no reason to be anticipating His return and His rule. No kingdom to come. And, really, if there’s no kingdom to come, there’s not much motivation for “Thy will to be done.” Makes no sense to keep filling the ranks of the believers if we believe our tour of duty is but for this lifetime. No reason to swim upstream, preaching a gospel that makes no difference beyond the here and now, if there’s really no there and then. In fact, Paul says,

If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

(1Corinthians 15:32b ESV)

By continuing to rub shoulders with those who denied resurrection, their bad company was eroding other’s good character (15:33). Tolerating their deceptive elixir of earth-bound religion mixed with eating and drinking and living for only today’s pleasure, with no eternal anticipation, just served to put others in a drunken stupor and to “go on sinning” (15:34a). And a religion like that, one that focused on this life only, was a pitiful religion (15:19). A miserable mess, creating only degrading confusion, with no real knowledge of God (15:34b).

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

(1Corinthians 15:20 ESV)

Paul also lays out the implications of resurrection. And those implications are huge. Because Christ is risen, we too will rise. Because He is with the Father, we too will be with the Father. Because He has conquered death, we too are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Because He is coming back, we live in light of His imminent return and of soon going to be with Him.

Giving meaning to today because of the certainty of tomorrow. Endurance for any trial because of the expectation it’s going to be worth it all. Hope, even while bearing a heavy burden, because the tomb is empty, the Savior is risen, and the King is coming.

Wake up, Paul says. Jesus is risen and you will too. Jesus is coming and your redemption draws near (Lk. 21:28).

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
— Bill & Gloria Gaither

By His grace. For His glory.

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Sheltering in the Shadow of the Almighty

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Pete

Okay, so Psalm 91 has my mind running wild this morning. Maybe not surprising given it’s a song which seemingly promises deliverance from “the deadly pestilence” (91:3); and so, says that “you will not fear . . . the pestilence that stalks in darkness” (91:5-6); providing the “secret sauce” for such deliverance with, “because you have made the LORD your dwelling place . . . no plague will come near your tent” (91:10). And, after all, it’s Psalm 91. Nine one. That’s the reversal of one nine. 19. As in COVID-19. Hmmm . . . . like I said the mind’s running wild.

Time to bring every thought captive, me thinks. Because as I read on I realize this is also the psalm the devil quotes (mis-quotes . . . quotes out of context) when tempting Jesus to go to the top of the temple and throw Himself down (Matt. 4:5-6). So, there’s no way I should be “claiming” this song as reason to invite a bunch of people over for a party and let them sneeze on me. “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'” (Matt. 4:7)

But having said that, there is something in the songwriter’s lyrics this morning which provides a heavenly perspective on the earthly instruction to “shelter in place.”

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.”

(Psalm 91:1-2 ESV)

Anticipating another week of being at home. Another week of sheltering in place. But reminded this morning, through the living word, that it’s also another week to shelter in the shadow of the Almighty.

And as I chew on the songwriter’s song, two things in particular capture me. One, His unfailing promise. The second, my exhorted protocol.

First, His promise:

He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

(Psalm 91:4 ESV)

His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. In some translations: His truth is a shield and buckler. Literally, it’s His firmness, His stability, His continuance, His reliability. That’s God’s faithfulness. That’s His truth.

And that’s how we know God’s faithfulness, through His truth. Every morning, when I open the Word, I am re-positioning myself “in the shelter of the Most High”. Again experiencing “the shadow of the Almighty” as I take up my position anew under His wings through His truth. As I affirm afresh by expectantly opening His word that He is “my refuge and my fortress.” And the promise is, that when I do, His faithfulness, His truth, will be a double armor of protection. Guarding my heart, soul, and mind against the fear and uncertainty that fly like arrows about me each day (9:5). All because I have made the LORD my dwelling place, and He has promised His faithfulness, and that through His truth.

And that speaks to the second thing I notice this morning, my exhorted protocol.

“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.”

(Psalm 91:14-15 ESV)

The LORD Himself breaks into the songwriter’s song, adding His own bridge, His own pledge along with His own suggested protocol. Hold fast to Me in love. Know my name. Call to me. That’s the dynamic of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High. Those are the actions of abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Holding fast — through the love of Him who first loved us. Knowing He is God — the Sovereign, the Father Almighty. Calling on Him — even in wordless weakness through the Spirit who “intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26).

We can do social distancing in the context of such a spiritual dynamic. Shelter in place even as we dwell in His shelter. Be responsible even as we know His refuge. Fear not because He is faithful.

Here we go. Another week. Psalm 91 may not be the magic mantra to recite to reverse COVID-19 (it isn’t), but it sure is a good song to sing in order to be reminded that our confidence lies not in our quarantine, but in “my God, in whom I trust.”

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Sword Doing Its Work

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Pete

Honestly, when I open my bible in the morning I’m counting on it being “living and active” (Heb. 4:12a). I’ve often said that reading our bibles is kind of a guaranteed encounter of the divine kind. The God-breathed Word illuminated by the God-sent Spirit continually pointing us to the God-man Jesus.

But equally honestly, not always prepared for, nor is it ever easy when I open my bible in the morning and it cuts deep like a “two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12b). While I look forward to the awe in the morning, sometimes I get surprised by the ouch! Such is the case this morning.

Honestly again . . . feeling kind of splayed and shredded. Wasn’t expecting it and certainly not from 1Corinthians 13. But yup, splayed and shredded.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

(1Corinthians 13:4-8a ESV)

I read that and the living and active, soul-piercing word cuts open up my heart and reveals, “Pete, this doesn’t completely describe you. Some of these attributes have been absent.” And then, as if piling on, what I just read comes flooding back:

. . . have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal . . . have not love, I am nothing . . . have not love, I gain nothing.

(1Corinthians 13:1-3 ESV)

I’ve been working hard over these past few weeks, and for the kingdom. And the thought of just being noise, of accomplishing nothing, of gaining nothing, because I haven’t perfectly operated in love . . . well, that’s shredding. And, I think I can say with integrity, it’s not that I want to be heard, or that I should accomplish anything for my glory, or gain anything for my own sake, but that I want my work to count for the sake of my Savior and for the profit of His people. And to think, just noise? Nothing? Zip, zilch, nada? Kind of shredding.

So, I hover over (or perhaps lie under) this two-edged sword as it does its work on me. And then I’m reminded of John Schoberg and that morning many, many years ago when, around the Lord’s table, he opened his bible to 1Corinthians 13 and for the first time I heard it read this way:

Jesus is patient and kind;
Jesus does not envy or boast;
He is not arrogant or rude.
He does not insist on His own way;
He is not irritable or resentful;
He does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Jesus bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Jesus never ends.

And the Spirit who shreds my soul reminds me that because Jesus is love, and perfectly love, He could die and pay the price for my failing to perfectly love. And so, with shredded heart, I confess my less than perfect love and know that He is faithful and just to forgive my less than perfect love.

And the Spirit who cuts me wide open also reminds me that because it’s true that Jesus lives, it’s also true that He lives in Me. And that while my love can be distorted by the flesh, His perfect love can work in me and through me by His Spirit. So my confession results in a hopeful repentance believing that in Him, through Him, and by Him a 180 is possible as His perfect love, by His abiding power, can become an increasing reality in this imperfect disciple.

So, because of the cross, peace with God edges out the panic at having failed God. And because of the empty tomb, my weak flesh continues to be redeemed by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

And while I haven’t loved perfectly, I’m still perfectly loved.

The sword having done its work. The Savior more than ever worthy of worship.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Steadfast Love and Faithfulness

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Pete

Chewing on another one of those songs where, though the songwriter declares the power of God, and remembers the promises of God, he’s having a tough time connecting those dots with his current situation and the seeming absence of the presence of God.

The songwriter’s God is the Almighty God. A God whose wonders are declared in the heavens of His habitation. Feared by the holy beings in His midst. Awesome above all who are around Him. None comparing to Him in power and strength (89:5-8). His arm a mighty arm; His right hand a strong hand (89:13). A God mighty to save (89:10).

The songwriter’s God is the Sovereign God. All things created by Him and for Him, His throne founded on righteousness and justice (89:11-14).

And the songwriter’s God is the Promise-making God.

You have said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn to David My servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.'” Selah

(Psalm 89:3-4 ESV)

But as the songwriter looks out his window, the throne is effectively empty. Enemies have been breaching the walls of the royal city for some time. Coming and going as they please, they gut the royal treasury and mock the holy temple. The offspring of David of no real consequence. Strength and glory a thing of the past. Shame the well worn garment of the day (89:40-45). And thus, though convinced of God’s power, wanting still to believe God’s promises, He struggles at the apparent lack of God’s presence.

But now You have cast off and rejected; You are full of wrath against Your anointed. You have renounced the covenant with Your servant; You have defiled his crown in the dust.

(Psalm 89:38-39 ESV)

So, this song takes you on quite the roller coaster ride. Declaring the glories of God, the hope of His promise, and then crashing and burning with the confusion of the current situation.

But here’s what gets me. Here’s what captures my attention and speaks to my heart. It’s how the song ends:

Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.

(Psalm 89:52 ESV)

How do you get here from there? How do you close with worship when everything around you brings worry? How does great adoration flow from a pool of great anxiety? What gets you from processing your problems to proclaiming His praise?

I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness to all generations.

(Psalm 89:1 ESV)

Steadfast love and faithfulness.

The songwriter’s God is also the God of steadfast love and faithfulness. That’s the secret sauce. That’s what would carry him from the barrenness of the current situation to blessing the LORD forever.

Six times in his song the songwriter affirms the steadfast love and faithfulness of His God (89:1, 2, 14, 24, 33, 49). As I read it, it came across as a rhythmic drumbeat refocusing the heart on who God is above even as the mind tries to process what’s happening below. Repeatedly a reminder of the character of God. And that’s what the songwriter was counting on. That God’s love was unalterable, that His faithfulness was unshakeable.

It was the basis of his appeal for God to remember his people and intervene (89:49-50). And so, it would be the basis of hope. The foundation of faith. And, the way toward worship.

Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.

Steadfast love. Unending faithfulness.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Barren Beginnings

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Pete

Barren. She was barren. Infertile. Sterile. Unable to bear children (Judges 13:2).

And she lived in a land that was barren. Among a people in rebellion to the LORD who had brought them into a land of promise and potential, but a land that bore little fruit from their great calling as the people of God. A people hamstrung by an enemy, unable to live as free because of the oppressive hand of the Philistines — and that for over forty years.

Barren. Bleak. Heavy sigh. Not exactly the sort of situation that primes the pump of hope.

And then, the Angel of the LORD appears to her (13:3). Not an angel, but the Angel of the LORD. Coming in the form of a “man of God” whose appearance was “very awesome” (13:6). One who revealed Himself as, “I am” (13:11) and declared His name as being “wonderful” (13:18). A “man” who ascends in the flames of the altar of sacrifice and is counted worthy of facedown worship (13:20). This Man, this Angel, very awesome and wonderful, engages a barren woman living in a barren land.

Sometimes, it would seem, barren turns out to be a good starting point for an encounter of the divine kind.

The Angel of the LORD appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the Angel of the LORD. And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.”

(Judges 13:21-22 ESV)

Started in on the story of Samson this morning. What an incredibly complex story. God’s perfect will being accomplished through a less than perfect (way less than perfect!) man. God’s Spirit repeatedly rushing upon a man so driven by the flesh. An intricate interplay of strength and weakness such that against the backdrop of the foolishness of a man the faithfulness of God is manifest. And it all starts with a barren beginning and the appearance of an awesome, wonderful, worship-worthy Man of God.

Another morning of COVID headlines. Another day with things at a standstill. Hasn’t been forty years but it already feels like way too long a time. Perhaps a prime time for a barren land to meet up with a Man of God whose name is Wonderful. The Son of God who came down and revealed Himself as the Bread of Life for the starving soul. Who offered living water to quench the eternal thirst. Who gave Himself on the altar of sacrifice. Was crucified and buried. And on the third day rose again from the dead. Afterward, ascending into heaven.

Going to be a different Easter celebration this Sunday, but celebrate we will. And prepare we must. For we’ve known an encounter of the divine kind. We’ve experienced the good news of God having sent His Son to touch a barren land and bring to life the barren soul.

Fruit made possible, even in times of fretting, because He lives. Strength inexhaustible, and that through our weakness, because He lives. Peace made possible, a peace that passes understanding, because He lives. Hope unshakeable, for faith is the substance of things hoped for, because He lives.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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All My Springs are in You

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Pete

Hovering this morning over a song, Psalm 87, about a city called the “city of God.” A city founded by God. The city on the holy mount. The place in all of Jacob that God sets His affections toward more than all other dwelling places. A city with not only a colorful past, but with also a glorious future, “for the Most High Himself will establish her.” Zion, the city of God.

But having some problems turning what is felt, as I chew on it this morning, into something tell’t. Tongue tied, in a way. Hitting just as many backspace keys on my keyboard this morning as I am trying to hit other keys.

So, here’s the bottom line for me (just so happens to be the bottom line of the song, as well):

Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”

(Psalm 87:7 ESV)

The place that God loves, the city built on His foundation, the hill with a glorious future, is where the thirsty can go to satisfy their thirst. The place they can pursue, when things are getting somewhat arid.

It’s the place where the glory dwells. The place where the throne of David is established. The place with a glorious future as one day, I believe, it will be the place where the King of heaven will physically reign on earth.

But it is a place present today, a spiritual place. The place where the King reigns even now. A place found in the hearts of His people through the power and presence of His Spirit. The Spirit providing now all that we need for this day, and for every future day.

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

(John 7:37-39 ESV)

Living water flowing out of the heart. Water that can quench every thirst, revive every dried-out soul, restore every weary wanderer. The Spirit of God sent by the Son of God. Spring up, O well!

That’s what we find in Zion. Water for the weary. And not just refreshment that allows us to trudge through another day of desert walking, but water that brings a song to the tongue and a bit of toe-tapping to the feet (as close to dancing as some of us are going to get, I’m afraid).

All my springs are in You, Jesus.

As I abide in Your presence, at the foot of Your throne, and that by faith, all my springs are in You, and that by Your Spirit.

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.”

(Revelation 21:6 ESV)

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

(Revelation 22:17 ESV)

All my springs are in You.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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What They Needed the Most

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Pete

No matter how you might want to define “success,” the apostles’ first solo preaching tour was a success (Mark 6:7-13). Two by two, they went with power, Jesus having granted them authority over unclean spirits. They went by faith, taking nothing but the clothes on their backs and the sandals on their feet. They went with the truth, proclaiming the need of repentance for the kingdom had come. They went with boldness, ready to shake off the dust of any place that refused the truth. And, they returned with results.

And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

(Mark 6:13 ESV)

So, it’s little wonder that things got a little out of control after that. People coming out of the woodwork, no matter where Jesus and His disciples went, wanting a piece of the action. A little demon cleansing here, some sickness healing there. Everybody wanted a piece of Jesus & Co. Mark records that things became so crazy that Jesus and the Twelve “had no leisure even to eat” (Mk. 6:31).

So Jesus says it’s time for a break. Some respite. Time to find “a desolate place and rest awhile” (6:30). So they hopped in a boat and headed to a desolate place. But it wasn’t a desolate place for long.

Now many saw [Jesus and His disciples] going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

(Mark 6:33 ESV)

No social distancing here. When Jesus and His disciples arrived at the “desolate place” they saw a “great crowd.” People desperate for some relief. Some needing physical relief. All needing spiritual relief. Most not even knowing what they needed, except that they needed to be near Jesus.

And here’s the verse I’m chewing on this morning:

When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

(Mark 6:34 ESV)

Of all the things they needed, Jesus knew what they needed the most. The Word.

He looked on the desperate crowd with compassion. Literally, He was “moved to His bowels.” A deep, deep stirring deep, deep within which empathized and sympathized with their needs. A deep stirring because He looked beyond the crowd and peered deep into their faces — seeing their individual needs, their individual struggles, their individual darkness. They were like sheep, sheep without a shepherd. And He had been sent to be the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14).

And what grabs me, is that with all they needed, all the different ways that Jesus could have ministered to them, “He began to teach them many things.”

He would feed them. He would offer to lead them. But first and foremost, He must seed them. He needed first to implant the word which was able to save their souls (James 1:21).

That was their greatest need. Not the release from a demonizing past. Not the removal of daily affliction. But what they needed most was rescue from slavery to sin. Redemption from bondage to the flesh. Reconciliation to the God whose image they bore.

With all that they needed — and all their needs were real — Jesus seeks first to meet their greatest need. And where does He start? He starts by teaching them. He starts with the Word of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . . For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

(John 1:14, 16-17 ESV)

Another week of stay-at-home uncertainty ahead of us. Another week of seeking to maintain equilibrium in a turned-upside-down world. Each week bringing new needs with few, if any, of last week’s needs being resolved. Where do we go? We run to Jesus. What does He see? Sheep in need of a Shepherd. How does He feel? Moved with compassion. What does He offer? Himself. The living Word. Found in the written word. ‘Cause that’s what we need the most.

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 4:4 ESV)

That’s how we’ll keep on keepin’ on.

Word of God speak.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Highways of the Heart

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Pete

Don’t really need my Google Maps these days. No need to bring up my WAVES app to find the quickest route to where I wanna go. ‘Cause not going much of anywhere. And anywhere I go, it’s a well worn path. And when I do go, it always looks like Sunday afternoon on the roads — no traffic jams to contend with. So, don’t really need my GPS these days.

Or do I?

Just got word from our governor yesterday that he’s extending our “stay at home” order until May 4. Not surprised. Expected. But when you hear it officially . . . heavy sigh. And the numbers increase. The danger is yet to pass. The suffering continues in so many ways on so many fronts. Can’t help but inform how you filter what God’s saying to you through His word.

So, when I read in Judges, I’m encouraged as Gideon fights through his fear. God faithful in taking a man who is “the least” in his father’s house, whose clan “is the weakest in Manasseh” (Judges 6:15), and promises to be with with him. And to enable him, though afraid, to be victorious in battles against idolatry and against the world.

Then my reading in Mark, and I’m inspired by a woman so put through the ringer that Jesus is her last chance at healing. Inspired because she believes with all her heart that if she can just get close enough to touch Jesus’ garments things are going to be ok. And her faith makes her well (Mark 5:34). I do believe, Lord . . . help my unbelief.

And then, as I read Paul’s assertion to the Corinthians, I’m reminded that even this current testing of our fidelity to God is not uncommon to man, but that God is faithful and, even with this testing, will provide the means to endure (1Corinthians 10:13).

All good stuff. Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.

But it’s Psalm 84 that resonates deeply this morning. Reminding me that I do need a GPS. I need a direction finder, especially in such discombobulating times. One that sets my mind on “things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2). An internal app that continually directs me on the highways of the heart.

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. . . . Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

(Psalm 84:1-2, 5-7 ESV)

Blessed are those in whose heart are the highways to Zion. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Blessed because on those highways of the heart there is strength. Strength even as they go through the Valley of Baca, literally the “lowland of weeping.” Strength in the valley. Even through the tears. Strength because the heart is set on highways leading to the place where God dwells. And on those highways, He is already, and He is always present. Making even the dry place where tears are shed “a place of springs.” Covering our sorrow with His all sufficient grace, the early rains of heaven covering the arid land of earth with pools of God’s presence.

Sure, the going will be slow. And could get pretty tough. And that’s why these highways are traveled “from strength to strength.” His mercies new every morning, His grace sufficient for the day. Gonna have to come back tomorrow for tomorrow’s manna. But today, today there will be sufficient strength in the One my heart and flesh sing for joy to, the living God.

All because of this Spirit-implanted, internal GPS that keeps me on the highways of the heart, the highways to Zion. The roads to the risen Christ. The paths towards the Prince of Peace. The lanes leading to the Lord of Life, . . . and life to the full . . . even when it’s the quarantined life. Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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