Always Simple, not Always Easy

S - Psalm 121:1-8; Mark 9:4-8 (NLT): "I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there?My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. … Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. "Teacher, this is wonderful!" Peter exclaimed. "We will make three shrines--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He didn't really know what to say, for they were all terribly afraid. Then a cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly they looked around, and Moses and Elijah were gone, and only Jesus was with them."

O - The psalm (a Song of Ascents) carries the truth and theme which Jesus repeats very specifically - we are not alone, not on our own and not our own. Jesus speaks clearly about so many things on earth, not just about things in heaven. We are more likely to accept his words and way of thinking about heaven than we are about earth. We won't "deny" his words; we'll just redefine and recalibrate them a little because we do not believe they will really "work" here on this fallen earth. We will use his words and ignore the meaning … claiming his authority but demonstrating/possessing very little of it. Jesus said: "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God." Psalm 121 describes their kind of faith. The real question is: Is this my kind of faith?

A - The application for me is the application for us all. Do I, will I, accept both the Father's instruction about Jesus and the instruction of Jesus like a child? Will I listen with the childlike faith and trust Jesus lives out and insists I also engage? On this day and in each situation, what should I do is a good question and of course more importantly what will I do? I will believe (this is the work). I will trust (fierce personal loyalty). I will listen (unto doing). I will accept and embrace the truth that I am not alone, not on my own and not my own. I do think he is working everything for good and that he is purposeful in everything he causes and in everything he allows. Today is my day to believe, trust, listen and follow.

P - Lord who Leads,

It is my assignment to listen to you and to believe your words unto their doing. Yes, Lord, I do believe and I do want to live your words out loud. Please show me the way to go in this day. I am glad to not be alone, not be on my own and to not be my own. Let me live this day with you, making you glad and keeping your company all along the way. Thank you for wanting us/me and for always walking point. I do love you back!

Steve