Author: arevans

“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Ps. 2:11,12)

Rejoice.  Tremble.  Two words that do not seem to belong together.  A deep understanding of the sovereignty of God should cause us to tremble.  But an even deeper understanding of his character, his goodness should cause us to rejoice.  To rejoice with trembling.  O blessed thought!  What words with heavenly comfort fraught!

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie.  If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Hab 2:3)

God has revealed many things to us, but his time schedule is not one of them.  All we know – need to know – is the promise and the certain fulfillment of the divine schedule.  It will surely come.  Furthermore, from God’s point of view, it comes quickly.  It only seems slow.  It will not delay.

The second advent of Christ – like the first – will surely come at its appointed time, and not a nanosecond later.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will see to that.

“No one cares for my soul.” (Ps. 142:4)

There is perhaps no greater expresssion of loneliness in the Bible.  All of us have felt this way at one time or another.  It speaks to our deepest need as human beings.  A spiritual kind of loneliness – even in a crowd of people, even among friends.

Christ is the answer to loneliness.  He was forsaken by his Father on the cross that we might be embraced.  “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.  But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Ps. 131:1,2)

What did David mean here, “like a weaned child with its mother”?  Satisfied.  Content.  Secure.  Comforted.

This metaphor is intriguing, and all the more so when we realize that David was no milktoast.  He was a rough man in a rough world.  The conquering king of a nation with expanding borders.  Yet even such a man could not find real contentment, real security in externals.  He found them in a personal relationship with the true and living God.

Still true today.  

 

“Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.” (Ps. 102:18)

I am not so vain as to think that my daily musings will serve to inspire thousands who come after me.  Yet, this verse does remind me of the lasting influence, however small, each of us may have on those around us – especially our family and close friends.

So let your light shine as brightly as it can today.  Never mind that others’ lamps may shine brighter.  None of us, after all, are any more than channels of God’s mercy. 

Channels only, blessed Master
But with all thy wondrous power
Flowing through us
Thou canst use us
Every day, and every hour.

 

 

 

Something every heart is loving:
If not Jesus, none can rest;
Lord, my heart to Thee is given;
Take it, for it loves Thee best.
Thus I cast the world behind me;
Jesus most beloved shall be;
Beauteous more than all things beauteous,
He alone is joy to me.
Bright with all eternal radiance
Is the glory of Thy face;
Thou art loving, sweet, and tender,
Full of pity, full of grace.
When I hated, Thou didst love me,
Shedd’st for me Thy precious blood;
Still Thou lovest, lovest ever,
Shall I not love Thee, my God?
Keep my heart still faithful to Thee,
That my earthly life may be
But a shadow to that glory
of my hidden life in Thee.

Gerhardt Tersteegen
18th century

 

“I will sing of steadfast love and justice.” (Ps. 101:1)

The character of Almighty God is revealed in scripture.  God’s love is steadfast, as is his justice.  We can’t fully understand one without the other.

We are called as Christians to reflect both of these shining attributes in our lives.  “What does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy?” (Micah 6:8)

God’s love and his justice are met in Jesus Christ, when he took upon himself our sin and God’s judgement on the cross.  Because of Christ’s sacrifice we can have our sins forgiven, we can have a personal relationship with Almighty God, we can sing of his steadfast love and justice.

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”  (1 Jn. 3:18)  Big words are easier than big actions.  But whose to say the apostle was talking about either?  Little is much if God is in it.  So do something small today, but do something.  And do it for God’s glory!

“For the love of Christ constrains us.” 2 Cor. 5:14

Ok. Actions speak louder than words. That must mean that the gospel in action speaks louder than the gospel in words. Or, the gospel lived is more important than the gospel spoken. To earn the right to be heard, we must live the gospel. But, to be clear to those who are hearing, we must speak the gospel.

And, if we find ourselves too weak or too intimidated to communicate the gospel, either in words or deeds,
we can pray. Pray that God will fill our cup so full that the overflow is something we can’t help.

O dear Christ, constrain me.