DAYS of AUTUMN RAIN

Being a lover of lyrics and poetry, I find much inspiration for written expressions of faith through these means. Poetry and music seem to be able to take our minds to places that the simple sentence cannot. Being blessed to live in an area where all four seasons have the potential of being perfect seasonal pictures, I find myself being taken to times from the past as well as to imagined future settings and to comforting thoughts when troubled.

My recent 'find' is titled My November Guest by Robert Frost. We sometimes feel sorrow or loss when November has taken away our golden, warm rays and left what some see as only cold and gray days. But not everyone, and not always.

My sorrow when she's here with me

  Thinks these dark days of autumn rain

Are beautiful as days can be …

She's glad the birds are gone away

She's glad her simple worsted gray

  Is silver now with clinging mist…

The desolate, deserted tree

  The faded earth, the heavy sky

The beauties she so truly sees

She thinks I have not eye for these

  And vexes me for reason why.

Not yesterday I learned to know

  The love of bare November days

Before the coming of the snow

But it were vain to tell her so …

Must we have sorrow visit us to point out what should be readily recognized as obvious beauty?  The grays and dark tone in life's picture (as a whole) are not only to highlight the bright colors, but are indeed an important aspect of the picture itself. If this poem should be read as a metaphor for the seasons of our life, it should encourage us to embrace the autumn of our lives – the spring and summer have passed – but there is yet much good and beauty to observe and enjoy “before the coming of the snow.” (See Ecclesiastes 12 - poetic language for the effects of aging.)

The spring of our lives brought energy and boundless possibilities. Summer was so frantically busy – so much to be done. Shouldn't our slower-paced autumnal days be a  time of bountiful memories and contemplation, in which we continue to learn of God and all He has revealed of Himself to us through His Word and His creation? Winter will be here all too soon and in spite of all its festivities, the days will be colder and shorter. But even then our God will be with us and we will be all the more aware of that if we live our waning days as we ought: duly assessing, learning from the past, observing realities (both the harsh and the pleasant), storing precious, fruitful memories in a place in our minds and hearts where they might be easily reached, settling accounts, and (in spite of difficulties) becoming ever more aware (not less so through embittered spirits) of the majesty and power of God. After all, it is He who oversees and holds all things together (Colossians 1:16-17 & Romans 11:36). When the snow does come, may the warmth that comforts us most be the fire which God has placed within us through His Spirit's always-presence.

Our culture delights in the bright and glowing. But surely, for those who know and walk with God, there are abundant riches to behold even in the subtlety of the more temperate and neutral shades of what some would consider the mundane. This is true because in all seasons we are certain of God's faithfulness, loving kindness, compassion and the “once for all” sin debt which Christ has paid for us through the bitter chill of death. Yet, after the worst of His suffering came the brilliance and warmth of the resurrection.  (Hebrews 10:10 & Lamentations 3:22-23). ~ DLA

“The grass withers, and the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

My Father's World

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:2

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ear

all nature sings and 'round me rings, the music of the spheres.

At a particular afternoon hour the lowering sun is at the perfect slant so as to cast the perfect light for the bursting beauty of October's color display. It is as if the tree community (rather, the One who orchestrates the event) foresaw the shedding weeks before it began and decided to make a gradual color display, which resulted a parade of a stunning greens, yellows, reds, oranges, pinks, violets, scarlets and ... (you name it) shades of color explosion, before going into their winter rest. And for a backdrop? …

O suns and skies and clouds of June

And flowers of June together

You cannot rival for one hour

October's bright blue weather...

- Helen Hunt Jackson

 

This is my Father's world! - Job 38:4 & Psalm 119:90

“Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years.” - Genesis 1:14

My childhood surroundings and circumstances gave me constant opportunity to observe the wonders of God's creation:  singing birds – each with his own song (excepting the exceptionally talented mockingbird), the endless depth of the sky with its constant flow of passing cloud-ships of varying shapes and colors, lightning bugs – miraculous little beings, trees at every level of maturity – the sapling pine to the mighty oak, gentle cooling breezes and billowing or fierce winds, the changing seasons – each with its own kind of beauty, and the morning light which always brought new hope... The “lilies white” were not then within my sight but the dandelion, milkweed, wild berry plants and tall field grasses were just as amazing and delightful as was our mother's 'old-time' rose bush which never failed to bloom profusely. Our loving, devoted and free ranging dogs along with lizards, terrapins, roly-poly bugs and even the occasional unwelcome green or black snake – all that could and should be observed with youthful eyes and a mind not yet cluttered with vain philosophies – all these wonders confirmed the existence of the Creator-God, Who, I'd been told, created all things! 

This is my Father's world!

Yet the story is not all told.

~

“Behold these are the fringes of His way;

and how faint a word we hear of Him!...” Job 26:14

~

“ The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”  Psalm 19:1

(See Genesis 1:11 & 20-25, Job 7: 6-7 & 37: 9-13, Psalm 8:3 & Luke 12: 27)

Teach Us to Number Our Days

Hezekiah was very ill – to the point of death. The prophet, Isaiah, came with a message from God telling him to set his house in order for he was to die. Hezekiah, being only human, dreaded the veil of death and greatly desired to recover from his sickness. So turning his face to the wall, he poured his heart's longings and words out to the Lord with great weeping. The king of Judah, crying like a baby and pleading to his God – the God who was able to do all things – for his life.

Before Isaiah could exit the palace God spoke to him again as His messenger. He was to go back and tell Hezekiah that his prayer had been heard and his tears had been seen; God would add another fifteen years to his lifespan. He would also deliver him and Jerusalem from the fierce king of Assyria along with his army of the most dreaded and vicious warriors. (See II Kings 20)

According to Isaiah 38, Hezekiah later wrote about his near-death experience, his sorrowful thoughts while facing death, and of his deliverance:

...In the middle of my life...I am deprived of the rest of my years...

I shall look on man no more...From day unto night Thou dost make an end of me...

My eyes look wistfully to the heights...I am oppressed...

O restore me to health, and let me live...Death cannot praise Thee...

It is the living who give thanks to Thee...A father tells his sons about Thy faithfulness

...the Lord will surely save me...

So we will play my songs (of praise) all the days of my life...

(Isaiah 38)

In Psalm 90 Moses speaks of the morning grass which sprouts anew and flourishes, yet by evening it fades and withers. James assures us of the same truth in James 1:10-11. A thousand years past is like yesterday in God's sight because He is eternal. But not so for us! Our present bodies are ever so temporary – seventy, even eighty-plus years – yet our days are fraught with labor and sorrow and all too soon, as a vapor, we have vanished from our earthly place (James 4:14). Job likened our passing days as being “swifter than a weaver's shuttle” and but a breath when compared to eternity. Unless we are 'in Christ' they come to an end without hope (Job 7:6-7).

Occasionally, something from our ever-enclosing secular world seizes my attention and forces me to contemplate what my flesh by nature prefers to avoid – the reality of the inevitable death of our physical bodies. Few people in this society have not heard the familiar lyrics sung by Tim McGraw.

I was in my early forties...a lot of life before me...when a moment came that stopped me on a dime... spent most of the next days - looking at the x-rays, talking about options and talking about sweet time...I was finally the husband that most the time I wasn't. I became a friend a friend would like to have...I finally read the Good Book and I took a long hard look at what I'd do if if I could do it all again...Like tomorrow was a gift and you had eternity to think about...What would you do with it?

...Sky diving, Rocky Mountain climbing...I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter...I gave forgiveness I'd been denying...I watched an eagle as it was flying. (Hezekiah 'looked wistfully to the heights.) Someday I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying.

We are all dying even from our birth. Why do we need to be stopped on a dime with sad and tragic news to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10) and know what truly matters in life? May our merciful Creator presently teach us to number our days – to recognize the shortness of our time here so that we may present to Him a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12) while we yet live without the shadow of death hovering about us and that we might be able to recognize the pastures of rest for his weary sheep when we need them most (Psalm 23).

“Lord, teach us to number our days that we might live with zeal for you, that we will not only notice but also examine and smell the roses along the path!  And indeed, that we will look to the heights and watch the eagle as he flies with wonder and see all around us all the 'priceless' things in life. Teach us how to glorify You and enjoy You both now and forever, regardless of our present circumstances.”  ~ DLA

An Afternoon With God

In Genesis 18 we have an account of an afternoon in the life of Abraham, “the friend of God” (James 2:23). The written words and my imagination tell me the following: While sitting at the doorway of his tent, Abraham no doubt found shade and relief from the intensity of the brazen midday sun. Perhaps he pondered with awe the marvelous promise of God to give him a son through Sarah, even though she was well past her child-bearing years (see Genesis 17:16). Abraham looked out to see three travelers standing.

From cultural hospitality and the excitement of simply having visitors, he ran to greet them and bowed himself in humble salutation. His heart’s great desire was for the visitors to rest and refresh themselves with the service of his household and to satisfy their hunger with the best of his food, the most tender meat available, freshly baked bread, and milk for their sustainment.  Indeed, the righteous find as much or more happiness in sharing their blessings from God as in having them. He then stood as he hosted and talked with his visitors as they ate beneath the shade of one of the mighty oaks of Mamre.

In reading this chapter thoughtfully, can we not feel Abraham’s excitement as well as a Heaven-sent breeze and the deep shade which God gave them for relief and enjoyment? We don’t know at which point Abraham recognized the men as messengers from God (one of them being the Lord himself in a pre-incarnate, human form [vv. 17-20]). But, as with all Heavenly visitations to God’s people, there must have been astonishment as well as a peaceful rest of mind in the Lord’s presence. Abraham and Sarah were told the appointed time for their promised son’s arrival. Sarah’s lingering doubts (vss. 12-13 & cf. 16:1-2) were met with the Lord’s answering question, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (vs.14). Great joy must have mingled with many other rising emotions. The vivid memory of this day – these precious moments – would be with them to their yet-distant graves.

Time passed too quickly as Abraham cherished each pleasant and revealing moment. As the visitors indicated their time to leave, Abraham wished to remain in their presence for as long as possible, at least for a good walking distance. While they walked the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do…? …I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household…to keep the way of the Lord” (vss. 17-19). The Lord proceeded to tell Abraham of how the lewd wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah had become great. He would now know for certain if its wickedness was as widespread and dark as its clamor.

Two of the visitors went forward toward Sodom, leaving Abraham, who still stood before the One whom he now fully recognized as his Lord, who was now appearing in human form for the sake of this special communion with Abraham.  He thought of his nephew, Lot, who had long departed from his company to live in the fertile Jordan valley and had pitched his tents “as far as Sodom” (Genesis 13).  Would God destroy Lot, Abraham’s beloved nephew, along with the wicked people among whom he dwelt?  Whatever his sins might be, surely they were not of the magnitude of which the Lord had spoken (vs. 20).

Abraham immediately acts as a pleading intercessor on behalf of any who were not of the described, heinous guilt which would bring swift and complete destruction if they were, in truth, so guilty. Acknowledging God’s well-known mercy and justice, he begins to plead for the sparing of judgment for the sake of a relatively few righteous persons, beginning with a doubtful number of fifty. “Far be it from Thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and wicked are treated alike. Far be it from Thee!” (v. 25).

Is Abraham not now entrenched on his knees with face to the ground as he prepares to venture for even more and more mercy? What if there are but forty five? The Lord answers graciously, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there” (vs. 28). With outreached hands and heart Abraham asks for the sparing of the whole place for the sake of forty. Yes! With hope he asks “for the sake of thirty?” Yes! The Lord’s unhesitating ‘yes’ gives him courage still. “For the sake of twenty?” Yes!  Abraham thinks of Lot who has become regretful and weary of Sodom and his choice to live there (II Peter 2:7-8). Finally, in desperate hope that there might be at least ten of Lot’s household and his neighbors who have not forsaken God and succumbed to the lawlessness of Sodom, he asks, “For the sake of ten?” The Lord answers him “I will not destroy it on account of the ten” (vs. 32).  At this the Lord departed and Abraham returned to his tent.

What a day!  From a typical morning to this afternoon visit and meal with the Lord his God and two angels!  From the glad news of when his son would be born through Sarah to an evening of dismay over the possible judgment and doom awaiting Sodom and Gomorrah. Now all he could do was to await the outcome. Were there ten righteous people in Sodom?  The morning would answer, as billowing streams of smoke rose from the valley of Sodom (19:27-28).

                                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As we now wait for the ultimate Son of Promise, our Christ, to return to Earth for the gathering of His people or as we await our individual departure to be with Him until the new heavens and earth appear, it is easy to waver—from a sense of great hope to a sense of impending doom and judgment (whether temporal or eternal) because of the wickedness of the world (I John 5:19). We are not the first generation to fear that all of God’s patience with the wickedness of our time is spent and that He is ready to punish the peoples of the world and their governments. Will He send possibly severe discipline to His own people for the needful awakening from our callousness and compromise?

In this chapter we have a wonderful picture of victorious, intercessory prayer and of God’s immeasurable compassion.  Though the final day has been long-determined by God (Matthew 24: 30-31 & 36), if for the sake of ten righteous people God would have spared Sodom, then perhaps He will spare even the whole world of great temporal judgments and great sorrows for the sake of those who yet cling to Him and His ways (I Timothy 2:1 & Revelation 5:8).  Let us continually pray so! ~ DLA

Myriads of Angels

“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,” (Revelation 5:11 ESV)

Some time ago ceramic angels became part of collection mania in America. Angel figurines rose to the top of the list of objects for collection and affection, along with ducks, chickens, cows, clowns and a plethora of other things for which we sometimes inexplicably develop an attraction. We soon tire of their everywhere presence and either sell them or give them away. But for some, it is much easier to rid ourselves of smiling pigs or frowning frogs than to let go of the glass angels, which seem to have taken over our homes and demand constant dusting and places of prominence.

Perhaps our inclination to attach meaning and adulation to religious art, along with our natural inclination toward the tangible and visible, were the reasons for the second of the Ten Commandments. God knew our faithfulness in worshiping Him as the one true, all-knowing, everywhere-present Lord would be continually tested by our longing for a physical presence and proof of His existence. But the very essence of faith is ‘the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen’ (Heb. 11:1).

“God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). The wonders of His creation and His written testimony to man (The Holy Bible) are sufficient proofs of His power and presence (Rom. 1:20-25 & Psa. 104). We must be careful that our harmless symbols of God's eternal presence and power don't become snares to us, as Gideon's golden memorial became to him and to all Israel (Judges 8:23-28).

God is not honored by idealistic images of Himself or of His angelic creation. Neither is He honored by statues nor giant crosses of gold. All the riches of the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica bring no true honor or worship to Him. Rather, steadfast faith and trust in Him through any and all circumstances, along with our obedience to Him, are of much value and are acceptable worship to Him. Through faith in Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, the poorest of humanity can bring honor and praise to God as well as the richest of mankind.

But what of the real angels of God which have been depicted as the most beautiful and glowing of all God's creatures? They are just that – gloriously created beings whose very purpose is to carry out the will of God continually.  They are not former human beings (John 1:3, Matt. 18:10 & Heb. 1:14). We are instructed to not worship angels (Rev. 22:9 & Col. 2:18). Apparently, they can take on various forms as needed for God's purpose (Heb. 1:7 & II Kings 6:15-17). They cannot die (Luke 20:35-36). There are fallen angels who are bound and reserved for the final judgment (II Pet. 2:4, Jude 6 & Matt. 25:41). Angels are sometimes seen and/or heard by mortal man (Acts 5:19-20 & 8:26). They are sent by God to punish the wicked as well as to do good (Acts 12:23). It is possible to see angels without recognizing them as such (Heb. 13:2). The number of unfallen angels is countless to man (Rev. 5:11). Man is (“for a little while”) lower than angels in the glory of God's creation (Heb. 2:7). The Scriptures nowhere indicate that angels indwell inanimate objects or icons, small or large. An image is no more than ink on a page; a figurine or statue is no more than the mold from which it came. Angels do not intercede for us before God. The work of mediation belongs to Christ alone, as the Holy Spirit helps us to pray as we ought.   Fellow believers do pray for one another while they are here in this world, interceding and supplicating on each other’s behalf (I Tim. 2:5, 2:1 & Rom. 8:26). The angels worship God; they are fellow servants of God with us (Rev. 22:9 & Heb. 1:6).

It is of the utmost importance to remember that Satan himself would love to appear as an angel of light to mislead us, just as false teachers seek to “if possible deceive the very elect” (II Cor. 11: 14 &Matt. 24:24). We are to test all teachings and ‘so called’ messages from God by the written word of God. God never contradicts Himself or His Word.

What the Scriptures tell us about angels is delightful food for thought – all truth from God should be cherished. “Men did eat angels' food...” (Psa. 78:25) and we still may do so by giving our hearts and minds to the study of God's word (Deut. 8:3 & Matt. 4:4). The Word of God is better than the manna in the wilderness.  It should be great nourishment for us, to think on the myriads of angels whose joy is to serve their Creator (which includes the care of His people).

But the greater comfort and sweetness should be found in the sure hope that we will one day join them before God's Holy Throne. There we will bring gladness to the angels in glory as we sing ‘the song of the redeemed’ (e.g. Revelation 5:9-10). They will bow to Him with us when, in glorified bodies, we sing the Lamb’s praise before the watching universe (I Pet. 1:12). Myriads of angels anxiously awaiting the song which only redeemed sinners can sing—WOW!

~ DLA

Courting Disaster

The Scriptures tell us “do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (Deut. 22:10 & II Cor. 6:14).  More plainly in our words of today: don’t be joined at the neck with an unsuitable partner.  In the latter reference Paul is speaking of Christians being joined to non-Christians. The figurative picture seems rather clear when considering the culture of Paul’s time and place – two oxen were yoked for the purpose of working together, thus lightening the load for each other in the work to be done. If the two animals were not of the same mind, strength and willingness, much suffering would befall one or both of the two – maladjusted effectiveness would result. If God so cared for the animals referenced in the Deuteronomy passage, how much more does He care for His people in regard to our close relationships, which can be difficult at best in our present, fallen world.

While the principle may be applied to many human relationships which require commitment and perseverance for success (business partners, etc.), it definitely fits as an analogy for the work of a successful marriage.

Ouch! I can feel the stinging words from the many who will no doubt disagree with my understanding of this and related Scriptures. But if we disagree with another Christian regarding the teaching of God’s words to us, let’s make sure we disagree with each other only and not with God. We do this by studying the context of the debated Scriptures and those related to them.

Many scriptural truths were not properly taught in the churches in which I grew up. But after the Spirit came to live in my heart and to guide my understanding, some things gradually became sound reasoning and thus God graciously spared me and protected me from much harm that could have otherwise resulted. As I matured as a Christian and became a woman, casual dating was the norm. I knew that to date a non-Christian would only lead to trouble and regret to some degree. Regardless of a young man’s nice guy or good-ole-boy reputation, and regardless of how attractive he was, I did not have confidence in my ability to bring him to a saving faith in Christ, as some young women seemed to have. Only God can do that (2 Tim. 2:25)!

I was considered by many to be old-fashioned, ‘wall-flowered’ etc. for my lack of boyfriends because of this stance. There were opportunities to sow sorrow and regret for myself and another. It was a time of surging freedoms of expression and passions and sensual appetites run amuck. It still is but to a worse degree! Desiring a mutually Christian marriage and a life-partner who was also my best friend, my prayers and patience were not always in harmony (I Pet. 3:7, Matt. 9:6 & Gen. 2:24).

My testimony is not that, at last, Prince Charming came and we lived happily ever after. It is that eventually God sent the ‘right one’ for me and we now continue to live out our days working and plowing together. This yoke thing requires pulling and leaning together as well as like-mindedness in most things, etc. How great the difficulties must be for those who do not share and submit to the same loving Master in their yoke of marriage. There are difficulties enough even when Christians strive at such team-work.

Am I dooming all marriages of Christian to non-Christian?  No. The Scriptures provide guidance for the believer who is in that situation (I Cor. 7:12-15 and others).  Am I judging those who voluntarily enter such marriages?  No.  Am I saying that Christians shouldn’t date or marry non-Christians? Yes I am, because of many Scripture passages by which we are to be guided.   Dating (to any Christian) should not be viewed as fun, sporting experiments for the single person. Can we play with fire and not get burned (Prov. 6:27)?  Dating (preferably courtship for the very young adult) should be the first step in getting to better know each other as prospective lifetime partners under God’s shelter. Safer, less tempting, more modest and more fitting means of socializing with the opposite sex are easily found by any who are willing to look for them. Why should we walk the precipice of a cliff simply because others do it?

Marriage is one of God’s chief blessings to mankind. When rightly understood and practiced, it is a gilded picture of Christ and His Church. The preliminary relationship that leads to marriage should also be one of the most blessed, beautiful, and God-honoring times of our lives (Prov. 30:18-19). The demand for perpetual love-story-themed movies and countless romance novels tell us that we long for beauty and honor in the relationship that leads to marriage. We desire true and romantic beauty in the marriage union itself. Should we not patiently seek this blessing from God if we desire to please Him as the true Lord of our lives? 

There are countless unequally yoked marriages that survive and in some ways even thrive. PERHAPS, (a big perhaps), God will use the Christian partner to help lead the unbelieving one to true union with Christ; but this is nowhere promised in Scripture and to proceed on the assumption that He will is risky and sometimes rebellious behavior.  Those Christians who have experienced ‘unequal’ marriages for even a short time, in honest assessment, would acknowledge that life would have been and would now be exponentially better if both had been Christians from the beginning of their union. This does not negate the love between them. It does tell us that the Lord always knows what is best for His people.  Always!  

For a Christian to ignore God’s precepts for our lives concerning these relationships is truly the equivalent of courting disaster. His commandments and precepts set forth in Scripture are not given to make us miserable.  He does not wish to squelch our earthly happiness. To the contrary, His truth, when obeyed, will enhance all of our human relationships. If this is true, how much more so the wonderfully emotionally intimate, romantic relationships of courtship and marriage, the most intimate of human relationships.    

~ DLA

Before Daylight Comes

Confession is not only good for the soul, it is vital to the soul’s well-being. The stanzas to one of my favorite hymns are so very piercing to my heart. When I allow their meaning to take hold of my mind, I sometimes can barely voice them to song. Who among true Christendom would not plead guilty of the failure here expressed?

We have not loved Thee as we ought

Nor cared that we are loved by Thee

Thy presence we have coldly sought

And feebly longed Thy face to see…”

(Thomas Benson Pollock, 1889)

We are inclined to think of faithfulness to Christ as little more than the absence of betrayal. After all, we are but human and our Lord knows that we are but dust (Psalm 103:14) and clay vessels (II Corinthians 4:7). It is because we could never be ‘unfailing’ after Adam’s fall that Christ had to redeem us with his own holy blood. But having realized this, we must beware of the slippery slope toward complacency in Nodville – the place of drowsiness and sloth. There we lose sight of our need for on-going sanctification and faithfulness in the large and the little things.  Being what we are in the flesh, even when we do strive for faithfulness when surrounded by comfort and ease, we may surprisingly find ourselves even denying Him by default (see Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

Jesus informed the disciples that he was very soon leaving them – their lives with Him as they had known them would never be the same.  They could not then follow Him but would do so at a later time. (see John 13—ff.)  Peter responded with the brave and determined declaration that he was willing even to die for Jesus – why could he not go with the Lord at that time when his devotion was so strong and his heart so willing?  Such was Peter’s confidence. Therefore let a man that thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (I Corinthians 10:12)

His Redeemer, although facing death by crucifixion within hours, was still loving his redeemed ones to the utmost, even to the very end (v. 1), still teaching them truths they would need all the more in His physical absence (vv. 7, 19, 34-35 & ch. 14-16).

“Will you lay down your life for me [Peter]? … I say unto you, a cock shall not crow, until you deny Me three times” (John 13: 28).

True to Jesus’ prophecy, before the sunrise came with the crowing of a rooster, Peter had verbally and by behavior denied his friend and Saviour, who he knew in his heart to be the Messiah for whom they had so long waited.  Now (for fear of the potentially deadly consequences of confessing Him) he had denied that he even knew his Lord who was then being questioned by the religious rulers of Jerusalem with malicious intent. Having realized this, heart was immediately broken for his failure and cowardice. Full of shame, he found a place and wept bitterly in deep repentance (Matthew 26:75)

“We have not feared Thee as we ought

Nor bowed beneath Thine awful eye

Nor guarded deed and word and thought

Remembering that God was nigh…”

(Thomas Benson Pollock, 1889)

The New Testament and following church history hold numerous examples of people who began with zeal in their love for Christ  (assured of themselves and their steadfast testimonies), who yet failed the tests of faith when they came  – in essence a denial of the Lord Jesus as their Lord. Thomas (of the twelve) was also ready to die with Jesus (John 11:16) because of his belief in Him, yet in his grief after the crucifixion, he insisted on seeing the living Jesus with his own eyes and on touching His wounds with his own fingers before believing that He had risen from the dead (John 20:24-25). John-Mark, a young evangelist who later worked alongside Paul and Barnabas, apparently became somewhat careless (certainly in Paul’s estimate) in his work for Christ, even to a point that Paul no longer trusted him as dependable (Acts 15:36-39). But much later as he neared his own death, Paul requested John-Mark’s presence as someone who was of valuable service to him (II Timothy 4:11). There were others also who fled or hid in the shadows when Paul presented the gospel to politically powerful Gentiles who might very well have sentenced him to the “lion’s mouth” (vv.16-17). Yet there is life with hope, joy and  usefulness after repentance!

Throughout our Christian lives we have opportunities to bear witness for our Christ, His teachings and the truths He has committed to us. Too often we fail to do so for far exponentially lesser reasons than fear of the lion’s mouth – relatively few present-day Christians really fear persecution or death. Sometimes we deny Him by our silence.  Sometimes we deny Him by what we do. Sometimes we deny Him by what we don’t do.  We need to be alert and diligent for duty when the nights of Christ’s trial come – lest the morning breaks and we find ourselves weeping bitterly (Ephesians 5:8-16; Nehemiah 1:7).  May we take the stance of faithfulness to death in everything concerning discipleship. May God’s Spirit guide and enable us until the eternal day dawns. (Philippians 2:13) ~ DLA

“When shall we know Thee as we ought

And fear and love and serve aright

When shall we out of trial brought

Be perfect in the land of light?”

(Thomas Benson Pollock, 1889)

Apples of Gold

It was one of those ‘little things’ that aligned my focus and encouraged my heart greatly today.

Awakened and dressed early, I sat on the front porch for the comfort it afforded me by way of the warm sun, the singing birds and the smell of springtime. Still, the Evil One tugged at my mind to allow discouragement to rule the day: ‘Yes, it feels good to be among God’s living, earthly and wonderful creation. But what about all those concerns you wrestled with last night?  Ho-hum – “the whole world lies in the sway of the wicked one” (I John 5:19).  I am of this now-fallen world and my Christian testimony seems to be of no real value to anyone. What to do? Where to go from here?’  My mental mode was once again tilting toward the verge of what Solomon declared, “All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2).

Then ‘IT’ happened.  The young mailman reached our mail to me, as we exchanged our rote greetings. “How are you?” I spat it out in a numb manner. His response was “I am wonderful!”  “‘This is the day which the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.’ I’m great!” I was a bit stunned and momentarily speechless, as I gazed on a pleasant, smiling and hopeful face. He proceeded in his brisk trek of deliveries toward the sidewalk again, still smiling. I managed an audible but insufficient “Bless you” to his back. His friendly response, glancing back, “You have a great day!”

It was one of those insignificant significants. It was better than the golden sunbeams of the morning. It was as soothing balm to an irritated heart. It was an invaluable gift from God to me. Those words might have seemed a small gesture to him – words that would (for all he knew) fall on indifferent ears. But they fell instead as a waterfall on parched earth. I was slow to let it soak in for the drought of my own heart. An insignificant event to some, but a very significant refreshment and spiritual nourishment to me. But it did sink in, giving me sustenance.

Besides the blessing of encouragement, this spontaneous quotation of Scripture deeply assured me of God’s constant awareness of our present state of mind. He knew I needed those very words and a rejoicing messenger to speak them. I was also reminded of how none of us can fully know the heart of those nearest to us and much less the hearts of those whom we see only from a distance. Who knew that my mail carrier loves the same God I love and was presently overflowing with praise in his heart to his God?  “THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE. LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT” (Psalm 118:24).

Praise God for the youthful Christians, the babes in Christ (regardless of physical age) and all the others who don’t allow the cares of this life to dim their view of the majesty and love of God.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9; see similarity at I Thessalonians 2:11-13). These passages, written by the same Apostle to two separate peoples seem to sum up his desire for those to whom he ministered regarding the outward workings of their faith. He longed for their presence with fatherly, protective love. He longed for their expedient and out-reaching love for each other. He longed that they would have unashamed faces when they stand before their Creator and Judge on the last day.

“By this shall all men know that you are my disciples – if you have love one to another” (John 13:35). This is the hallmark of a Christian – a holy, active love for each other. How do we express this love for each other? How do we truly love our God?  In deed and in truth – not with words only but also with action. Combining words and actions as an expression of love for God and others is the ultimate expression of faith and worship.

One of our most common failures as believers is not “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) – especially the truths of Scripture so that others will hear and be encouraged. We edify and strengthen each other when we do.  We hold forth a light for those who sit in darkness when we do so (see Luke 1:79).

To hide the beautiful treasures of truth given to us by God is shameful and harmful both to others and to ourselves.  Men do not light a lamp to place it under a basket, but on a lampstand… (Matthew 5:15).  Countless people suffer today because those around them do not open their mouths to speak the good they know. The world quickly becomes a dreary place with weary people when truth is so well hidden and joy is silenced. If “he who has ears” should hear, then he who has a voice should speak the truth – the praises and testimonies of Holy Scripture.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold…” (Proverbs 25:11)

We never know who needs to hear what God has spoken to us today through his Word as individuals. If we have good words in our hearts, words of praise, encouragement, instruction, or perhaps even of love-inspired rebuke, let us not keep silent.  Should the rocks cry out because the living keep silent (cf. Luke 19:40)?  No. God has ordained that we encourage one other!

Ours is not to question why ~ But to heed the words to Philippi   J …

The New Testament book Philippians has a theme of Christian joy and of our union with Christ and each other. Let us read and study this book for words of truth to share with fellow Christians and (if God be willing to bless us so) to light a candle (or even a bonfire) for the masses who sit and wander in darkness. ~ DLA

The Key of Promise

At last waves of warmth and tinges of light – light with prism colors. Long have been the cold and dark days. We have survived the ‘Dungeon of Despair’ days and now, so thankfully, we have remembered forgotten promises. The believed promises (all together) are the key to unlock all the locks that keep us ‘bound in the shallows and miseries.’ How do we come to these places of bleak and sorrowful perspective? Well, although we are Christians, we are yet human and prone to such maladies. ‘All is yellow to the jaundiced eye…’  All is blurred to impaired vision. All is sad to the brokenhearted. Whether we come to such dungeons through sin, physical weariness, bereavement, regret, fear, doubt, varied combinations of these or an endless list of other causes, the result is the same – spiritual depression. Even vague familiarity with the Psalms tells us that we are not the only rueful-faced Christians in Vanity Fair or its suburbs. But there is always hope (a true Christian’s faithful companion) because we always have the sure promises of God – but sometimes we all but forget them. Even a waning hope encourages us to not resign to despair.  

Paul reminds – even commands – us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). Before we scold Paul (the beaten, stoned, left for dead, imprisoned Paul) we need to understand what he was telling us to do as a safeguard for our own good (Philippians 3:1). To rejoice in the Lord is not the same as rejoicing in our present circumstances. To rejoice in the Lord is to rejoice in Him – who He is and what He is:  His wisdom, His control, His power… On the worst day of our worst season, as Christians we always have the voice of His Spirit reminding us of HIM – the faithful, merciful, and gracious God who never changes. This awareness is our bedrock foundation when earthquakes and black tornadoes seem to be the norm.

 “God is our refuge, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea…Be still and know that I am God…” (from Psalm 46)

But to remember that there is a key within our clothing does us no good unless we act to use it. We must believe the promises and force ourselves to act and then rest upon them. It is not enough to just know what you know and then resolve to wait out our allotted time of difficulties on a raft woven of sloth and sadness, kept afloat by that resolve alone. Our feelings (whether painful or joyful) are secondary to what God has made known to us. Feelings come and go – they can change with the wind – but God never changes. His promise to never leave nor forsake us is never at question. He has loved us with an everlasting love and has therefore drawn us to Himself (Jeremiah 31:3).  With him there is no variation, not even so much as the slow shifting of a shadow on a sunny day (James 1:17; Hebrews13:8; Malachi 3:6).  These are unshakable truths whether we feel them or not. We are to bring every thought – anything that rises up against our knowledge of and trust in God – into obedience and captivity to Christ (II Corinthians 10:5).

Our knowledge of God must reign over our fluctuating feelings. Of course we are not to be stoics, thinking that feelings are altogether abstract to our faith – they can be wonderfully good and they are indeed part of our God-given physical makeup and are also part of our worship and walk with God. But we must let the mind inform the heart. We inform the heart through knowledge of the Holy Scriptures – God’s written and preserved revelation of Himself to mankind. Away dullness of mind, of heart and spirit! It is not our duty to feel, but to believe and act upon that belief.

The Evil One knows that God is not glorified when we hide our light under a veil of paralyzing depression. He knows that our Christian testimonies are ineffective when our prevailing facial countenance is one of bewilderment, sadness and gloom. May God cause us to know and breathe out from our hearts,

“The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night. A prayer to the God of my life” (Psalm 42:8).

There is no good to come from bemoaning how we “used to go along with the throng (of other believers) and (even) lead them in procession” or any other aspect of what we used to be or what we formerly did. If we have fallen and repented, returning to our walk with God in true contrition, then we dare not let Satan take advantage of his countless devices to yet ruin our testimony and the remainder of our lives. If God has forgiven us, if other believers have forgiven us (as they dutifully should), then we must also forgive ourselves lest a sense of constant guilt and shame renders us not ‘suitable’ for our given callings.  

May God also forever remind us,

“…God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).  Keep this nugget of golden scripture in your memory and never lose it!  Know that God’s Spirit is within you (Romans 8: 9&11) and His Spirit is not one of dread, misery, sadness or fear. His Spirit is of power (the same power that raised Christ from the dead), of love (the same love that sent our Redeemer to His death on a cross), and of a sound mind. “…God is not a God of confusion but of peace…” (I Cor. 14:33). We need to constantly focus on who and what we are “in Christ”. We must know that His grace will be sufficient for us in all circumstances (II Corinthians 12:9). We must think and do according to what we know of God’s faithful promises. Then we might actually make use of the key that opens the locked doors that bar us from the light and warmth of His felt presence and the comfort of His sure promises. If God (for unknown reasons) hides his face from us for a season (no felt warmth, no discernable light) we must still know that He has His good reasons and that “all things work together for good to those to those who love God…” (Romans 8:28). As His children, in all circumstances and conditions, we are what we are by His grace alone (I Corinthians 15:10).  His children never shed a tear of grief in vain. We shall always yet praise Him if we are His. ~ DLA       (Suggested Scripture Readings:  Psalm 42, 142 and referenced passages)

This writing was inspired by personal spiritual affliction, the words of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Spiritual Depression and by remembered images from John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. I would also like to express that I am not ‘anti-medication’ for treatment of clinical depression, which can be quite different in its causes than those of spiritual depression.  However, sometimes the two may occur simultaneously.

The First Love Story

When God said “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18), He knew exactly what Adam needed. A light reading of the verses following this statement might give us the impression that God tried to meet Adam’s need for suitable companionship through the company of animals and with the occupation of naming them. But this was not the case.

Adam, in his pre-fallen state, was of supreme intelligence. He did not randomly make up names for all of God’s creatures based on whim or fancy. More likely, he kept careful record of what we call the animal kingdom. Carl Linnaeus with his classifications: kingdom, class, order, genus and species, had nothing on the (as yet) sinless Adam, who no doubt found great delight in the work God gave to him. He joyfully sought to please Him with every effort. Yet, with all his fascinating work, the wonder of God’s creativity, and the blessing of having dominion over all of it, at the end of the day, Adam still felt alone.

We should consider what God did not do as well as what He did for Adam. Adam’s ultimate need for companionship was not for another man. His hunger was for the perfect companion – one who would be bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. Imagine the astonishment he felt when the woman was presented to him by God – to Adam this was God’s superb creation. Here was one with whom he could share intellectual, emotional, and physical intimacy as he could with no other. They would enjoy Paradise together; individually, yet as one. And even more wondrously, together they were to share in the joy of their own children and eventually learn the joys of various kinds of human companionships.

Let’s consider too that God did not create one hundred, fifty or even ten women for Adam to choose from.  Adam did not need to view, smell, touch, kiss, nor have physical relations with an array of women to know which one he preferred. God knew who he needed and brought her to him. Adam did not need more than one female companion to ease his loneliness and fulfill his emotional and physical needs. If he had needed more than one wifely companion at a time, God would have given him more than one at a time. Finally, God made no proviso for their choosing to terminate their union because of ‘irreconcilable differences’ (Mark 10:2-9; Matthew 19: 8-9).

The account of Adam and Eve’s love story in Genesis is not a fairy tale. Yes, to Adam, Eve was a princess. To Eve, Adam was a prince. They delighted in each other, perhaps as no married couple has since. But fairy tale romances don’t tell us of the origin of man or of the origin of both spiritual and physical death (Genesis 2:17 & 3:19).  Maybe what has been said is true: we all like epic stories with beautiful and romantic themes because our own beginnings involved both. Thus the music and movie industries thrive, in great part, by working with these themes.

There are several questions we can ponder with careful study of Adam and Eve’s story. A few come to my mind. What is marriage? Is casual dating pleasing to God? Is homosexual desire natural? What about divorce – is it ever an acceptable option?  Polygamy?  Are all people meant to marry?  Is it absolutely necessary to have what our time calls a ‘significant other’ to be content?  From what human need does loneliness stem?  Do we often come closer to worshipping the gift rather than the Giver?  If so, what might be the ramifications?  For Adam, it was deadly (see Genesis 3:17-19).  The mindset reflected in the following lyrics (very popular for a reason) is ingrained in mortal man – we seem determined to always learn the most important lessons in life ‘the hard way.’ Some seem to never learn them at all.

“I’m still alive but I’m barely breathing

Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in

‘Cause I got time while she got even…”

(From Breakeven by Script)

These questions require more than a simple answer in our society. For Biblical answers we will have to search beyond Adam and Eve’s story (although some questions are answered, at least in part, through a careful study of what is revealed of their lives). Finding Biblical answers will require time, energy and a submissive spirit before God (if we believe the Bible to be His Word and that by which we will be finally judged). As Christians we cannot come to resolute answers through our own surmising and opinions. We can’t form sound convictions of faith and practice from sentiment, tradition, the modern morality, country music lyrics, church hymns or through the ‘what works for me’ approach. We must seek truth for our walk with God from Him alone (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

In this wintry month when we all can use some distraction, many of us will think (at least momentarily) of romance, Valentine cards, and gifts ranging from candy to diamonds.  With mass marketing schemes aimed at celebrating yet another ‘holiday,’ how could we not?  But let’s be careful out there!

All the ‘love bait’ thrown out at this time of year can make one especially vulnerable. All that glitters is not gold. More often, it is cheap plastic, coated with craft store glitter. Real gold endures the testing by fire which will come. Real love will do the same.  Let’s remember that even a serpent can be quite convincing when he (or she) tells us what we want to hear. The subtle liar will throw in plenty of truth with the lie, making it all the more alluring. Eve succumbed to the enticements of what she saw as a preferable choice because she thought it was good for her fleshly desire, it was pleasing to her eyes, and above all, it would make her wise. Any sin I can think of can be traced to one of these headings: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (I John 2:16).

 Whether of romance or familial love, may our true love stories be blessed by God and protected from all the flaming missiles of the Evil One, with which he seeks to destroy all that is good. ~ DLA  

(Be sure to read Genesis 2 & 3!)

Hagar & Hannah

Hagar was the young woman servant of Sarah, the honored and privileged wife of Abraham. He was beloved and chosen of God to be the father of a nation through which He would bless the whole sin-darkened world. Perhaps as a young and submissive servant, Hagar had been favored by Sarah. Whatever the reasons, Hagar had been chosen by Sarah. Since her own fertility had ended, who better to bear ‘in her stead’ the son God had promised her husband? Hagar, the biological mother of a son who Sarah would claim as her own – yes, this had to be the answer!

Genesis 16 tells us that Hagar despised Sarah after she conceived. We are not told exactly why. Was she jealous of Sarah as the superior wife or did she resent feeling used to accomplish Sarah’s agenda in spite of her own wishes? Regardless of Hagar’s motives, it was Sarah who had the listening ear of Abraham when she placed the blame of being despised by her maid (now her ‘sister-wife’) on him. He in turn gave his beloved Sarah permission to deal with the circumstance as she saw fit.

 Sarah’s harsh treatment toward Hagar (putting her in her place) drove the pregnant woman to seek escape in the wilderness, where the angel of the Lord found her. He told her to return to her mistress and to submit to her authority. Abraham’s tribal camp would be a place of safety and provision for her and the child. He also told her that she was to have a son and descendants “too many to count” – Hagar also would have a place of honor in due time. She was told to name the child Ishmael to remind her of the angel’s words, “the Lord has given heed to your affliction” (v. 11).

Fourteen years later Hagar found herself again in the wilderness, having been driven from the camp via the long brewing jealously and resentment between her mistress and herself. In faith and with a broken heart Abraham had sent Hagar and Ishmael away from his tribe and family at God’s command, with His assurance that Ishmael too would become a great nation - but it must be through Isaac, “the son of promise,” through whom God would fulfill his promises to Abraham. After their packed provisions were gone, faint from hunger and thirst, Hagar placed her son in the shade of a bush and walked a distance away, weeping and pleading that she would not have to see her child die.  Again the angel of the Lord, the one Hagar had called “a God who sees,” spoke to her there and led her to the provisions and deliverance she and her son needed (see 16:13). “And God was with the lad…”  (Genesis 21:20) [Also, Genesis 16 & 21].

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Hanna had long had a rival wife who seemingly had the most fertile womb in all Israel, while she had been given a closed womb. Not only did her arms ache from emptiness, but ‘the other wife’ constantly and consciously made her feel ‘the lesser’ and ashamed of her bareness with the birth of each new son or daughter. With all her effort to love her husband’s children as her own, nothing could satisfy her deep longing to feel the miracle of human life inside her and to nurture her own little one to her heart’s delight. With all her husband’s assurances that he loved her more than he could love the ten sons she might have given him, she could not find the comfort for which she longed.

One year during the yearly trip to Shiloh to sacrifice to the Lord, her heart and spirit were finally completely broken. She could no longer hide the emotional wheel spinning wildly inside her. Jealousy, anger, hurt, envy and a deep questioning of God’s providence. She could not eat because of her heavy sadness and uncontrolled outbursts of weeping. Even there, on this special occasion of rejoicing, her husband deliberately gave her a double portion of the celebration meal to display his honor and affection toward her, but to no easement of her suffering.

In her desperation she made her way to the temple to pour her heart out as water to the God who had, in His sovereignty, withheld conception of the child she had so often asked of Him. She pleaded as never before in her bitterness of soul, making no audible sound but only moving her lips in the words she spoke in prayer. She knew that her God could change her circumstances to those of great joy, if only He willed to grant her petition. She promised God that if He would give her the honor and joy of mothering her own son, she would gladly give him back to God as a special servant to Him. If He would use her so! After words of encouragement from the prophet Eli, she left the temple with an un-weighted heart and a face that shone with hope.

Not long after their visit to Shiloh, Hannah conceived the son she had prayed for so often and then, finally, with all her being. At his birth she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.” With her husband’s permission she would not return to Shiloh for the family’s yearly sacrifice and celebration until the child was weaned – weaned from nursing and from the special love and care a small child would need. She knew that when she did return to Shiloh she must offer the child himself to serve in the temple. Her heart knew that this child was called of God for a special purpose to Himself. The thought of leaving him at the temple sometimes gave her a pang of sadness, but it was always swallowed by the joy and privilege of being used of God to nurture and prepare him for his calling. But the over-shadowing joy, as she fed, cuddled, disciplined and played with her son, was that of teaching him of the God who had heard and answered her prayers in creating her little Samuel.

In the years to come she would visit her son at the temple annually and give him the new robe she had lovingly hand stitched. Her joy was then unfailingly renewed in seeing her son grow in the knowledge and ways of his God. She would greatly rejoice in future days with the birth of each of the five children her God was to give her as comfort and reward for the one she had literally given to Him.  (I Samuel 1 & 2)     

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While Hagar did not seek her son, Ishmael, from God (and possibly felt victimized by her pregnancy) she came to love him as much as Sarah would love her Isaac. She fled to the wilderness and it was there that the Lord spoke to her.

Hannah very much desired a child of her own and pleadingly petitioned God for her heart’s desire. In her desperate and opportune hour she fled to the Temple. It was there that God heard her pleading and answered with abundant grace. 

Whether we come to our brokenness in the wilderness or while in a church pew makes no difference. His all-knowing presence and willingness to hear what our hearts speak to Him is the same. We speak to him through prayer, but He also speaks to us – and we best hear Him when we are willing to separate ourselves from all distractions, read the Scriptures, and listen with our hearts (Hebrews 1:1 & II Timothy 3:16-17).  ~   DLA

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  –  Hebrews 4:16