Hearing Requires a Distinction of Sound

S - Matthew 17:3-8 (NRSV): "Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone."

O - In the company of such greatness and in the context of Peter's life and understanding his question really isn't a bad one … and after all someone ought to say something and even do something - the heavyweights of the kingdom are together:)! The exchange is cut short by the insertion of a cloud and with the cloud a voice … and what a voice; that voice has always altered, directed, penetrated and determined reality for whatever it speaks to. This voice affirms Jesus' identity, his standing/status and then instructs the only appropriate response -- LISTEN to (consider, attend to, comprehend, understand, learn from) him. The voice also evokes a fairly consistent response - fear which can only be expressed by falling down and staying put … not daring to even move. The one they are to attend to, to focus on and consider, to comprehend and learn from comes to where they are, touches them and then speaks … your response is completely understandable and NOT required … so get up and don't be afraid. What allows this contradiction of terms? In the presence of such awesome and ineffable reality, how can such a response be the right thing, the possible thing to do? The answer is contained in the optic they saw once they dared to actually look -- Jesus is the only one who fills their vision. The presence of the person of Jesus mitigates all the right and unavoidable reactions to the voice and to the one who speaks. Without Jesus, be afraid … be paralyzed … be like dead men because without Jesus that's what you are. With Jesus? Get up, get up from fear, death, foolishness, useless and superstitious activities. The law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah) are eclipsed by Jesus … consider, attend to, comprehend, understand and learn from the only one who remains.

A - The law and the prophets are not discarded, they are fulfilled. The point is that I am responsible to lean into, focus on and learn from Jesus. He will mitigate the fear, the paralysis, the well-intended though wrong activities. The focus or conclusion is simple, single and uncomplicated. The doing is not. All my understanding, desires, inadequacies, failures, hopes converge to attempt to radically complicate heaven's simplicity. The Lord never actually addresses Peter's idea … rather he calls Peter to action in a different way -- to silence until after he was raised from the dead. Then, and only then, would the intention and purpose of the mount of transfiguration be clearly understood. "As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead [verse 9]." I don't always hear, or know exactly how to step this out … but I am obliged, inspired and called to train to get this and live this out. This I want to do!

P - Dear Lord,
I'm sure I've built many booths … spoken too early or failed to speak and act at all. Please shepherd me so that through my life others may shepherded. Lord, help me in my fear to fear you only so that I won't need to really be afraid. Help me to consider, attend to, comprehend, understand, and learn from you. Thank you for mitigating the paralysis, the shaking, the flurry of activity which is well-intended but not the point. Help me find your way today and everyday while it’s called today.
Such as I am, I am yours,
Steve

From Frying Pan to Fire … to Joyful Noise

S - Psalm 66:1-4, 8-12, 20 (NRSV): "Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you. All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name." (Selah) … Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid burdens on our backs; you let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a spacious place. … Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me."

O - The presence of burdens, fire and water, which do not cease at the first prayer or two prayed bring with them the threat and fear of rejected prayer and the threat and fear of being a rejected person (the removal of his steadfast love). While it is true that these fears and threats fly in the face of God's impeccable character and his unfailing love, they seem confirmed by our circumstances and intensified by our emotions. The initial 'Why is this happening?' gives way to 'Why is this still happening?' What purpose does it serve? Why does the Lord let this go on? I find it painfully interesting that the two things which are most transient on this earth, viz. circumstances and emotions, call into question the two things which never change, viz. the Lord's character and his unending, unflickering love. The psalmist likens the experience to silver being refined … something which requires continuous and intense heat for a protracted period. Clearly, the process is in fact a process which requires time. Of course, we prefer the role of silversmith and not of silver. The truth is we're never the silversmith and always the silver. The smith understands the process and its purpose. The silver does not. What the silver (in this psalm) can understand is the difference between the temporary and the permanent, the facts that the process is purposeful and that the end is very good. It is described as a spacious place (NRSV), a place of abundance (NIV), a place of great abundance (NLT) and a wealthy place (KJV). The Hebrew, Latin and Greek all convey the same concept … a place of wonderful saturation. What begins under the threat of a starkly impoverished condition ends in the exact opposite … I guess the psalmist got it right 'How awesome are your deeds!'

A - It seems that I have been giving huge amounts of energy to the wrong things. While my desire to learn and to grow is good, there are some situations where this optic cannot and will not be helpful. If my desire to understand inflicts doubts and accusations at the Lord's person and character growth really is not so much the issue. Control or intellectual dominance may be. The problem is that these belong to the smith and not to the silver (control is never really mine and intellectual dominance allows me to console myself with information rather than with the Lord's presence). So, when the purpose is hidden, when the process is painfully long, the place I am called to occupy amidst fire and flood is to rivet my focus on the Lord's character and steadfast love and to trust him to a conclusion which is wonderfully saturated with his goodness. This is not always easy but is always possible. This is why we pray and don't give up (cf. Luke 18). This is where presence and not information, child-likeness (trust in the parent) and not childishness (tantrums based on emotions and circumstances) is lived out and will carry the day. This is my assignment and the assignment for all who follow.

P - Dear Lord and King and Silversmith,
I admit that I have been long in the struggle and short on the response you both deserve and require. I know that you understand it all and I rarely understand the real issues. Thank you for not rejecting my prayers, my person nor withholding your life-giving, life-sustaining, better than life love. While I am very ready for the heat to be turned down I choose to remain, to yield, to welcome your will and to stand expectantly for how long you deem the process to be necessary. As long as your goodness and glory are being served, then please keep the heat on. I also ask that as soon as you are no longer served I be released from the process. I'm sure this is already in your heart but I'm attempting to pour out mine. The day you have made lies ahead. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth and in me just like it happens in heaven. I will offer my best and diligently train in the reality which is -- you're the silversmith and I'm the silver … hi ho silver ... away,
Steve

Why Growth is not Enough

S - Matthew 13:36-43 (NRSV): "Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!"

O - Weeds and wheat growing together and from a distance looking very much alike. Closer examination reveals the true nature of each long before harvest comes. Nevertheless, both grow and share a similar appearance. They will both be gathered but not share a similar conclusion. One grows and will never yield anything for harvest while the other grows and will produce geometrically. Both will be gathered at harvest, one for fire and the other for the barn. One will end in weeping and gnashing of teeth while the other will become increasingly radiant in the kingdom which will never end.

A - The Lord Jesus requires me to recognize that there is a difference between things that grow … and everything that grows will not be honored by him. My assignment is to accept the fact that:
1. The Lord is allowing both to grow.
2. Bearing a harvest, not weeding the field, is my assignment.
3. What is a lamp shining now will become awesomely radiant at harvest.
4. He is purposeful in everything he causes and in everything he allows.

P - Lord of the Harvest,
Thank you for today and for your word … living, active and powerful. Thank you that everything in your kingdom lives … living words, living sacrifices, living stones and living water … for you are the living God. Lord, let my life be harvestable … productive beyond what has been sown. Let real life mark me, flow into me and flow out of me for the sake of the Name. I do throw open the doors of my heart to you and welcome you and whatever you choose to do in me and through me. I admit again that I am yours by right and that you have dignified my life so that I also can, and do, choose you back. Shepherd me, let the violent advance of your irrepressible life and kingdom touch me, lift me, change me, carry fully to the intent and design you desire. Let me stay under the shadow and weight of a daily cross unto daily resurrection reality.
Steve

Childlike Always Carries the Day

S - Psalm 31:19-21, (NRSV): "O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone! In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues. Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. … Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord."

O - King David makes some observations in this psalm which are quite striking beyond the obvious messianic realities (not that those are minimal by any means). Here the Word plainly states that God's abundant goodness is stored and then, in the sight of all people, bestowed on those who: fear the Lord and take refuge in him. That's it? Shouldn't God be, isn't God, a little more discriminating about who "qualifies" for such a display? How about on those who are awesomely successful in His name? OR on those who are rigorously ascetic or spiritually masterful or cunning in stewardship or powerful in prayer? In fact, not only so, but on those who fear him and take refuge in him, he hides them in his presence from the intrigues of men. The confirmation of this understanding comes when David identifies the circumstances when the Lord showed/revealed his steadfast love … when he was trapped like a rat; besieged on every side. The Lord really does want us at our worst and not just at our best. The conclusion continues in this awesome vein - be strong, take courage as you wait for the Lord.

A - Jesus promised childlike carries the day every day (cf. Matthew 18:1-3). This psalm in practice, content and intent confirms the same. I need to keep my focus narrowed to these two life giving, life affirming, life sustaining and life enhancing realities - live in the wholesome dread of displeasing the One I love (i.e. in the fear of the Lord) and take refuge in Him. These are always at my disposal, always possible when just about everything else is not. Wow … Jesus still cuts through the crap:).

P - Dear Messiah and Only True Friend,
I ask that you would assist me in keeping my focus honed in childlike simplicity on the fear of the Lord and making sure that I take refuge in you and not in any other reality or fantasy, lawful or unlawful. I believe you and your promises and I thank you for protecting me from the intrigues of men. I believe you and welcome the abundant goodness and the revelation of your steadfast love. Thank you for wanting me at my worst. Thank you that when I fear you I NEVER have to be afraid. Yes Lord, it is as you say … and even the crumbs which fall from your table are awesome. I love you back!
Steve

The Deficiency of all Storms

S - Psalm 57:1-3, (NRSV): "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me, he will put to shame those who trample on me. (Selah) God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness. … I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth."

O - In the press and pain of destroying storms King David identifies realities that even such intense circumstances cannot interfere with. In the middle of destroying storms we can rely on and receive:
1. The Lord's mercy.
2. The refuge of His Presence.
3. The confidence of God's purpose for us according to His steadfast love and faithfulness(NOTE: this confidence comes according to our knowledge of his person not his plan).
The volume of the Lord's steadfast love and faithfulness cannot be measured. It is always more than we need and more than we can imagine. This is awesome and true.

A - There are many things that the killer storms do interfere with; comfort being very near the top of the list. Not just physical comfort, but the comfort of emotional and mental ease … based, of course, on our/my preferences and current understanding (you know, the very realities Proverbs 3:5-6 instruct us to NOT lean on). It interferes with our sense of justice (this is not fair), our capacities to refuse worry (because we have a huge jump in the volume of unknowns) and the exercise of our faith (we tend to doubt what we have heard and doubt the conclusions we've come to based of what we "think" the Lord said). Jesus has promised us that storms will come AND storms will go (cf. Luke 6:46-49). The variable is what's left standing WHEN they pass. Doing his words is the key … engaging them to come to him for life, for mercy, hope, faith, confidence and the joy of bringing him glory and making him glad.

P - Sovereign Strong,
You are purposeful in everything you cause and in everything you allow. You have filled the earth with your glory and your mercy … and storms are unable to preclude them. Thank you for making yourself so awesomely available to us and calling us to respond in like kind. So, today, I am available to you by right but also by choice. I welcome your will on earth as they do in heaven; I am relying on your love, admitting the receipt of your mercy (always more than I need and more than I can imagine) and praising you for your brilliance, power and goodness. Lord, today while it's called today, I welcome your promises from afar and engage them with faith … knowing that I will get to act, not just consider. Today the superlatives are mine; they are my assignment, my confidence and your glory. Today, the storm may end and I hope it does. Nevertheless, your love, mercy and faithfulness never end and cannot be thwarted by any storm. Today I give my real self completely to the real Jesus … amazed with amazing grace.
Steve

What makes a Brave Heart a True Heart?

S - Hebrews 10:19-23, 36 (NRSV): "Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. … For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."

O - The way of Jesus is living, confident, hope-filled but not without the requirement of endurance - an endurance which 'holds fast' not only to what has been promised and believed for but one which holds fast to who has done the promising. This is the sign of a "true heart" -- one which will not surrender the awesome One to delays, apparent dead ends or to the intoxication of promises and blessings received. This keeps the way of Jesus living IN US. With or without us He is life and His way is always the living way. He brings life and we bring endurance and both are offered in an unqualified and unhesitating fashion from one to the other in a very personal exchange.

A - I honestly wish that my part did not require endurance. It seems almost a contradiction to think that life, abundant and flowing, would insist that endurance would also be a part of the dynamic of God's will, promises received and an unfettered conscience in bold approach to God. Jesus brings what I cannot - life and life that required him to endure:). He dignifies and elevates my place by allowing (and requiring) me to offer the same component - endurance. The shower of His grace prepares the way and leads the way to the shaping in His Image … Heaven's work and will coupled with my own.

P - Dear Lord of Life and Lord who did and does endure,
Thank you for your awesome and unending endurance. Your love, your name, your word, your mercy, your grace ALL endure for ever … more than shelf life … they are relentless, unfaltering and without flicker. My endurance is not so resilient but can and must be consistent. So, please receive my heart-felt repentance for despairing of endurance. You honor me/us with this "like-you" quality. Thank you for not requiring me to engage such flawlessly but blamelessly. I admit that I have NEED of endurance since I've had the privilege of doing your will. I realize that a brave heart may not be a true heart unless that bravery, action and endurance is directly and permanently attached to your person -- not just an outcome. Like Abraham, I want to endure unto your glory and goodness seen in the land of the living. Lord, I do love you back and today, while it is called today, I will believe, welcome your promises, obey and endure unto your will on earth (and in me) as it happens in heaven. I am so very grateful to belong to you by right and by grace.
Steve

Unlikely Partners in a Sermon

S - Acts 5:29-39 (NRSV): "But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. Then he said to them, "Fellow Israelites consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!" They were convinced by him,"

O - Besides loving Peter and Gamaliel and what each of them said, it is very interesting to note that these exchanges reflect truth in culture and history. Peter uses the term "tree" for the Lord's cross; not because it wasn't a cross but because that term uniquely communicated not only the means of death but the scriptural significance of it. It is used to accurately communicate to his "audience." Gamaliel's reference to the recent history of "messiahs" is worth noting in that a messianic type arose from Galilee at the time of the census - when the real Messiah was born. Interesting history. Of course, and very unlike the others, when the real Messiah was killed, God raised him from the dead and here we are 21 centuries later. Using the context of language for the audience and history for illustrations, Gamaliel and Peter find themselves not divided by Jesus but actually united by him. Their conclusions are awesome:
1. God is acting in and through people on planet earth.
2. Obeying God is more important than anything.
3. If our purpose or activities are of human origin, they will fail.
4. God's plans and purposes cannot fail.
5. We all make choices to follow or resist, to work with or against God's will on earth.

A - This is pretty amazing. Clearly at this point it appears that while Peter and Gamaliel do not share the exact same understanding and response to Jesus, they are not divided by His life or name or even his leading in the Apostles. Rather, for at least this season, they are united. Each will have their own opportunity to turn in to what the Lord is doing or to turn out from it. This is the way of the Kingdom which already is and is coming. I need to NOT be so discouraged WHEN (not if) opposition arises. Jesus promised me it surely will. But that opposition does not dictate that all will be polarized away from Jesus. If my activity and purpose is from God then it will not fail. I must rest confident in giving my life to His will on earth as it happens in heaven. His ways are not like mine, but he is near me and calling me to stay near him … and when he is present, EVERYTHING is possible and EVERYTHING will not only work out his way but for good; nothing is too wonderful for him, nothing is too hard for him and nothing is impossible to him who believes.

P - Dear God in heaven above and on earth below,
Thank you for letting me love you back and be in the company of your friends. Thank you for holding every life in hope and possibility of transformation, even my own. Yesterday's opposition caught me by surprise, something which really should not have caught me off guard. Thank you for requiring me to work through the rubric of this event and I repent for failing to love my enemies, for losing heart in well doing, for allowing such discouragement to find a safe harbor in me. Thank you for your patient care and once again I affirm my life's desire to accept your shepherding and to expect it. Lord, I want to be little by being teachable unto change. Please let this work in me this day and every day while it is called today. I am welcoming your promises from afar, turning in to your greatness and nearness and rejoicing whenever I find this opposition as you work everything for good. Please make the way plain for me so I will know I am obeying. I am little and weak on my best day and on my best day see through a dark glass dimly … just as I am I come.
Sanctus Dominus est,


Steve

The Life and Death Difference between Logical and Right Thinking

S - Mark 2:23-28 (NRSV): "One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions." Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."

O - Why is the actual Lord of the Sabbath so unconcerned about a violation (cf. Numbers 15:32-36)? I can hear the rationalization process in the religious mind (we all have one) as to why David's violation was different than the disciples. David's situation was an "emergency" and the disciples is just a convenience. David was being unjustly pursued by Saul and the disciples are just taking a walk (and I sure hope they weren't going very far:)). David might not make it without food and the disciples are not in danger of fainting on the way. So David's actions can make sense to a religious mind but not the egregious disregard demonstrated by these rough-cut disciples. Is, in the technical sense, the action of the disciples a violation of the law or of the interpretation of it? Is it a violation of not working or not preparing food or not harvesting on the Sabbath? Overstating God's case and disobeying him nevertheless is a problem the human race has suffered from since the very beginning (cf. Genesis 3:3). The Lord's point is profoundly simple: He is Lord of the Sabbath and he decides what's in and what's out. The religious mind is always focused on what not to do and Jesus is focused on what must be done. At the end of the day, the Sabbath was made for humankind and humankind was made for Jesus. This is the meaning of life and the only right interpretation of all God's written voice (the Bible). The Scriptures testify of Jesus but we must come to Jesus for life.

A - Because there is no true emergency to Jesus (since nothing is too hard, too wonderful or too difficult for him - NOTHING), the rationalization of my religious mind (thought process) will constantly not help me. This is another example of how I can be thinking logically but not rightly (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25). Right thinking is not illogical, it is just formulated from a broader and more powerful base of information and presence. Right thinking has to make room for God's written voice AND his speaking voice. Right thinking is always personally and specifically related to Jesus; any thought or Scripture verse which is even unintentionally disconnected from him has already missed the point. Right thinking always starts at mercy and leads with love. Right thinking always makes room for grace and pursues life and relationship over lists and religious expressions. The religious minds of Jesus' day did not see the problem with not resting the land every seventh year while living out a rigorous and unscriptural interpretation of Sabbath. As Jesus said, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?"(cf. Matthew 15:1-9). Jesus calls me/us to himself - period! He will not be tied down to a principle or formula, though his word and promises are true. I will need consistent recalibration to keep my mind and heart thinking and responding rightly, not just logically.

P - Lord of the Sabbath and Lord of all,
I admit my almost limitless capacity of missing the point while I think I've got it. Only you can lift the impairment of my vision and the muddle of my mind to see what you see and think with you the thoughts which are life giving, life keeping, life saving. Please enable me to live this out day by day. I need you and want you to shepherd all of me - thoughts, attitudes and conclusions included. Quick to love rather than quick to judge. Making a way to go forward rather than anchoring others in the past. Not over-stating God's case nor my own while refusing to make my convictions a measure for any other. Lord, this is the way of life you give and lead in. I want to be teachable unto change, to learn your ways, to make you glad by defaulting to trust and by working to love rather than to be right. This will take a miracle - for my religious mind is always with me. Please, open my mind to understand the Scriptures which testify of you and to refuse that way which seems right to me but ends in death. You are so awesome, O Lord of the Sabbath and because of your great mercy you are also Lord of me. I do love you back. I do ask for open doors and open heavens. Show me the way you who are the way. I pray in your name, Lord Jesus,
Steve

The Good Friday Rollercoaster for All Who Follow

S - Psalm 69:1-3, 13-16, 30-31, 33-34 (NRSV): "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. … But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Do not let the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the Pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. … I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. … For the Lord hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them."

O - This Messianic Psalm of David certainly captures the roller coaster that all who follow Jesus are required to ride, as well as the prophetic insight into the Lord's own experience. This reality, that Jesus has literally lived these verses (his Good Friday wasn't very good), is an insight into why everything is reconciled in his body on the cross (Colossians 1:19-20). The dark and painful specifics (not cited in the verse above but which are recored in this psalm) give way to the reality of the Lord's person and promise. The basis for appeal and the anticipation of rescue is based upon the Lord's person and power … his tender heart toward the poor and needy -- which the arrogant dismiss and the religious elite despise. Steadfast love, abundant mercy, faithfulness are the reasons for the rise in confidence which comes amidst such difficulties; a confidence which is now willing to wait on the Lord's "acceptable time" … a waiting which has been a source of weary discouragement. The "up" comes first from the interface with the Lord's person rather than the desired shift in circumstance. And this interface produces the action and conclusion which Jesus lived out: "I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs."

A - In discouraged and disabled circumstances long standing, it yet remains in my power to please the Lord by praising his name in song and magnifying him with thanksgiving. This truth and the “lift” which flows from it is way better than what comes from adopting an 'it could be worse' attitude. Even if things do get worse and never better the Lord has given me (his people) reason to praise and to be thankful. This is my assignment, come what may. I admit that this really is true. For all the down -- there is a ton of up:), I get to stay confident in Him rather than in my understanding of good timing. I get to rely on his love rather than the way I think things should go, especially because I'm following him and engaging his will. All this brings me back to the major reality of trust, and I intend to be fiercely loyal to him.

P - Lord who never fails,
Thank you for living out your own word; for inspiring David, for giving us your written voice and for still finding us with your speaking voice. In this day I do praise you for all your awesome and abundant goodness, for your protection and provision, for your tender care and counsel, for shepherding and loving this dumb sheep. Thank you for the challenge of this season and assignment. Thank you for letting me do what I get to do. Lord, the earth is yours and your delight is in kindness, justice and mercy. Let me do more than I've dreamed possible in tangible acts of love and relational connects, in engaging these projects across the face of the whole the earth, of presenting your name and words on the pages that cause them to be heard. Lord, I give all this back to you … lead on. I will actively engage trust in you unto not being shaken or put to shame. Yes, Lord! My answer remains yes.
Steve