And when he had removed him [Saul], he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
(Acts 13:22)

To have a heart like His.  This has been the cry of my heart for years and the reason I chose it for my blog title.   I truly desire to have a heart like God’s and pray I may one day hear,  “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23).

Yet the question was raised during a recent Bible study, “What does it mean to have a heart like God’s?” It is as I have pondered this question that I have been brought back to Psalm 51.  This Psalm is the well-known song of David’s repentance, when he came to God seeking forgiveness for his sin.   Yes, the man after God’s own heart screwed up–screwed up big time.

Yet upon being confronted with his sin, David didn’t make excuses. David didn’t blame someone else.  David didn’t run away.  David ran to God. He cried out to God for mercy, for forgiveness, and for another chance.  Even more, He recognized something extremely important–something many of us often struggle with:

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Psalm 51:4

Against you, you only, have I sinned.  Yes, David sinned when he went into Bathsheba and then had her husband killed in battle to cover his sin.  He sinned when he tried to go on with life as normal after such an egregious act.  David’s actions were in no way right nor in line with God’s character. And yes, his sin had a ripple effect.  An innocent man lost his life, a wife lost her husband, and the product of that sinful union–a baby–paid the ultimate price.  And those were just the physical ramifications; I’m sure there were many emotions to work through as well.

Yet as I stated before, once confronted with his sin–once forced to face what he had done–David did not make excuses, did not continue to deny wrongdoing, nor did he go groveling to others for approval and justification. No. David knew that even though his sin affected many, ultimately, when he had sinned, he had sinned against God–God alone.  He knew God was the One he needed to approach on bended knee with a contrite heart.  He knew God was the only One capable of giving him that new, clean heart and right spirit. Man couldn’t wipe away the shame, the pain, or dark stain of sin from David’s heart.

But God could.

And David knew it.  It is what enabled David to declare,

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise
Psalm 51:16-17

A broken spirit and a contrite heart.  This is what God desires.   He doesn’t want lip service.  He doesn’t want worthless sacrifices.  He wants our hearts–hearts like His–hearts that yearn for and seek righteousness.

To have a heart like His doesn’t mean we’ll be perfect; we’ll never be perfect.  Rather, a heart like God’s will ultimately reflect His character–in righteousness as well as in repentance. A heart like God’s doesn’t walk in perfection; it walks with God. And when sin rears its ugly head, the man after God’s own heart goes to God.  He doesn’t justify his behavior.  He doesn’t ignore his behaviors.  He doesn’t just shake it off and move on haphazardly citing Jesus’ sacrifice.

No.  The heart of a man after God’s heart breaks over sin.  He cries out like David,

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!
³ For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
(Psalm 51:1-4)

So I ask you now.  Do you have a heart like His?  Do you seek God’s will and His righteousness in all circumstances–even in repentance?

When you mess up (and believe me, you will mess up), what do you do? Do you make excuses?  blame others?  try to hide it?  Or do you come before Him on bended knee with a broken spirit and a contrite heart? Do you run away from the sin and into the arms of your Heavenly Father?

Regardless of how you may have answered those questions, I want to encourage you today in this: “a broken and contrite heart” God “will not despise.”  He will not turn away a heart yearning for Him and for His righteousness.

So turn to Him today.  Cry out like David for God’s mercy, for His forgiveness, and for His restoration.  And as you do–as you present yourself at His feet–you can be confident that He not only hears your heart, but also He sees your heart. And a heart like His He will never turn away.

“But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
John 16:5-7

As I met with a friend the other day, we discussed our friendship–how the distance would change the relationship but would certainly not end it.  The friendship may look different now than what we originally expected, but the difference does not mean the friendship is going to be worse; in fact, it might actually be better–deeper.

And as I reflected on that conversation, God reminded me of the above words of Jesus to His disciples.  Upon hearing that He was going to be leaving them, the disciples, even though they knew where He’d be going, were filled with sorrow over the fact that Jesus was indeed leaving them.   They didn’t want to say good-bye; they didn’t want to see Him go.  Honestly, I’m sure it must have been difficult to comprehend saying good-bye to Jesus. After all, how awesome it must have been to physically walk with and talk with Jesus–witnessing His miracles, gleaning from His words of wisdom, physically feeling His tender strength.

Yet the One they loved was telling them He would be leaving.

And they were devastated.

Truly, who wouldn’t be?  As one who recently moved from a place I called home for nearly 20 years to a brand new place, I can empathize in part with the sorrow that the disciples must have been feeling–the sorrow that comes with saying goodbye.  Whether saying good-bye comes with a move to another place, to another job, or even to another ministry, there is grief in letting go. Even a move by choice will be accompanied by levels of grief.

Yet I believe there is an important principle we can glean from Jesus’ encouragement to His disciples regarding His looming departure.  It is a principle meant to comfort and to encourage us as we face the good-byes of life…

Sometimes it takes saying goodbye to what we know in order to gain what we never could have imagined.

Think about it for a moment. In Jesus’ case, He had two reasons to leave: He not only had to die to free us from our bondage,  but He also had to go back to His Father in order for the Comforter to come.  He specifically told the disciples that if He did not go, then the Helper (the Holy Spirit) could not come.

What was special about the Holy Spirit?  According to John 14:26, “…the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send…will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I [Jesus] have said….”   The Holy Spirit is God in us–His power, His life, His wisdom, His promise.  With the Holy Spirit, God’s presence is within us wherever we go.  Talk about awesome!  Yes, Jesus in the flesh was amazing, not to be diminished in any capacity, yet as a human, Jesus was limited in His Presence.  As the Holy Spirit, God is truly omnipresent; He has no limitations.  By saying good-bye to Jesus in the flesh, the disciples opened the door for the Holy Spirit.  What they thought was a loss was truly a gain.  And Jesus knew this.  He knew this as He foretold His departure.  He knew this when He reminded disciples to remain in the city until the Comforter would come (Luke 24:49).

Jesus knew saying goodbye to God in the flesh was necessary in order to gain God in the Spirit.  By letting go of what they knew, the disciples (and all of us!) gained what they never could have imagined.

So I am not sure where you are as you read this.   You may be enjoying where you are without any indication of change on the horizon.  Great!  Enjoy this season of rest.  God has you where you are for His good pleasure.

Maybe, however, you are facing change.  Your husband just found out he was getting transferred…to another state.   Your boss just told you they are cutting your position.  God Himself has called you to a new ministry…. Whatever the change you may be facing, let me encourage you to watch for God.  Watch for Him to move in ways you never thought possible. Imagine what opportunities await you in that new state.  Imagine what new adventure God has in store for you now that you are without a job.  Imagine the lives that will be forever changed by your presence in this new ministry.

Yes, good-byes are not easy.  There is grief involved.  And I in no way diminish this grief; in fact, I encourage you to allow yourself to grieve what once was. It’s healthy to grieve losses.  Yet don’t remain in a state of grief; heal through it and keep moving forward.   And as you move forward, keep your eyes fixed on the author and finisher of your faith.   You may be struggling with letting go of what once was, but let me encourage you, my friend, one day you will look back with gratitude and awe at the amazing opportunities that arose from the ashes of that good-bye.

Don’t lose hope, my friend.  Don’t lose hope.   What may be the most difficult ride of your life could be the very journey to your greatest destination.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

 

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1

God knows me. This is what God spoke to my heart at church on Sunday morning.  My husband had to work unexpectedly, so it was just the kids and I who went to church. Seeing that we just moved to the area, this was only our second time at this particular church. And I was struggling a bit–struggling with the familiar feeling that comes when one moves to a new place: the feeling of missing what once was. I wouldn’t want to call it home sick, because I fully believe I am home right where I am; so I will call it “old home” sick. I missed my friends. I missed going to church and smiling at people I know–people who know me and whom I know and with whom I have connected on a personal level.  I missed the genuine hugs of friendship and support.  I missed the familiarity of it all.

 I missed being known.

I actually e-mailed this request to my mentor before getting ready for church.  I asked her to pray for this yearning.  My exact words:  “I want someone to know me.”

Of course, as I have learned throughout my recent journey, oftentimes what appears to be a pitfall–a disappointment–a downer–is often merely an opportunity for God to draw me into His presence, to draw me closer to Him.   And draw me is what He did.

For as I sat in church by myself, surrounded by people who did not know me and who would not miss me if I never returned–God reminded me of the above verse. He spoke clearly to my heart:  “I know you.”

Yes!  God knows me! He calls me by name.  I am His.  I didn’t go to church to see people; I went to worship God, to see God.  And God knows me!  God knew I was there.  God noticed me there.  God was glad I was there.  And He would have missed me if I had not shown up.   As Isaiah 49:15 reminds us, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”

God doesn’t forget.  He doesn’t forget my face.  He doesn’t forget my name.  He doesn’t forget me.  God knows me.

God knows you, too.   I want to encourage you in this today   God knows you.  He truly knows you.  Read the words of Psalm 139 with me:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
³ You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

Psalm 139:16

Did you catch that?  God has searched you–all of you.  And God knows you.   He knows your every move, your every thought, your every word.  He knows you more than you know yourself!

You are known, my friend!

Even more, you are known by the God of the universe!

God knows you!

He knows you, He loves you,  and He wants to be with you–in this moment, during this day, and throughout eternity.  So rest in His love right now as you re-read Isaiah 43:1 with me.  Personalize it as you read:

Thus I the Lord say to you, _____
I who created you,
    I who formed you:
“Fear not, _____, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.”

You are God’s.

 I repeat.  You are God’s! Whether you are by yourself or surrounded by people–whether you are well known or unknown in the world’s eyes–God knows you.  Rejoice with me today in this truth.  God knows you.

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
(John 1:40)

As we delve into the depths of the presidential election, streets are lined with lawn signs, and our media overflows with campaign ads, announcements, speeches, and opinions–lots of opinions. Politicians are diligent to monitor every word and every action–or provide the necessary cover-up to protect any unscrupulous choices.  They know the choices they make now could affect the choice the people make in November. One mistake could be detrimental to the goal–could cost the election.  They do not speak or act unless they feel it will draw people to their side.  They do not speak to point people to someone else; they speak to draw people to themselves.   They want people to hear them and in turn follow them.

Yet as I read the above verse the other day, I found a completely opposite principle–one contrary to today’s political mentality.  It is a principle John the Baptist modeled and a principle I believe God calls each of us to walk out as well.

The principle? Hear me, but follow Him.

John the Baptist knew his purpose was to proclaim the coming of the Messiah–not himself–the Messiah. John was not the Messiah, and he was very clear about this as people began following him.  Before he crossed paths, and especially after he crossed paths with Jesus, John the Baptist consistently pointed people away from himself and toward Jesus.  He didn’t speak and baptize to draw people to himself; he spoke and baptized to draw people to Jesus.

At one point, however, some men who were following John approached John and asked if he were upset that not only was Jesus baptizing but also that “all” were going to Him (John 3:26). They formed the question as if to say, “Aren’t you upset and jealous that Jesus is stealing all your followers?!”

Oh how many times have we thought or actually said something similar!  “How come she is getting all the attention when I did just as much work?”  “Why did he get the promotion when I’ve been here longer?”  “Why is he in charge when I am just as qualified?”  “Why do people listen to her instead of me?”  “What makes her so special?” “Why won’t anyone notice me?”

Such thoughts and questions arise from our natural tendency to want the glory and the credit and the attention for ourselves.  When we speak, we want others to listen.  When we act, we want others to acknowledge it.  And although wanting to be heard is not wrong, we must be diligent to make sure our motives are in the right place.   Do we want to be heard to get the credit?  Do we want to be heard so others know we are right? Or do we want to, like John, be heard so that people see Jesus?  Do we speak and act in a way that says, “Hear me, but follow Jesus”?

There is quite a difference.  One motive is like a beacon, which cries out, “Look at me!  Here I am!”  The other is like a spotlight, which cries out, “Look at Him!  There He is!” Both may give out bright lights, but only one sheds that light in the right direction.

As we read on in the passage, John’s response was perfect.  He wasn’t upset Jesus was gaining popularity; He was pleased.  In fact, he responded to the question with joy: “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 1:28-30).

Talk about putting out a fire before it could get started.  No jealousy present in John.

And that last sentence.  Oh, that last sentence:  He must increase, but I must  decrease.  John knew it was not about him; he knew it was all about Jesus.

It should always be all about Jesus.

Which brings me to the verse I quoted at the beginning of this post.  At first it may seem an unusual verse to highlight, but it actually reveals this heart attitude of pointing others away from ourselves and toward Jesus–from shining the light on Jesus rather than on ourselves.

Let’s look at the key words:  who heard John speak and followed Jesus.

Did you catch it?  The disciples HEARD John but FOLLOWED Jesus. They didn’t hear John and then follow John.   The heard John and then followed Jesus.   This is exactly what John was created for; it was his divine appointment.  And I daresay it is what we should be living and praying as well.  Instead of speaking in a way that points others to us and what we believe; we should be speaking in a way that points others directly to Jesus.   People should see us yet follow Jesus.

So I encourage you now, my friend, join me in turning John 1:40 into a prayer–a prayer asking God to take the spotlight off ourselves and place it on Himself–the One true God who alone deserves all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise.

Dear Jesus, may what people hear me speak and see me do today make them want to follow You.  Give me the wisdom and strength to seek You first in everything. And as I seek You, may I not be a beacon drawing people’s eyes toward me but rather a spotlight pointing people to You, for You alone are the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through You.  May I decrease so You may increase.  May people see me, and then follow You.   “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17). 

“You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.  Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.”
Luke 23:14-15

The presumption of innocence principle–“innocent until proven guilty”—is one every defendant adamantly proclaims.  Even the obviously guilty defendant will often plead “not guilty” at first in hopes of possibly getting away with wrongdoing.

Yet Jesus was brought before Pilate and then Herod under different circumstances.  He was innocent, doing nothing deserving arrest, let alone death, yet He was brought in under the assumption of guilt.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus actually questioned those arresting him, asking, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?” (Luke 22:52). Jesus knew He was innocent; Jesus knew those accusing Him knew He was innocent.  Nevertheless, the leaders treated Jesus as a guilty man from the get-go and declared Jesus’ guilt vehemently before the authorities.  They even used false witnesses to twist the words Jesus had spoken throughout His ministry.

As we read above, however, even after all this–after all the accusations and false testimonies–even after Jesus’ stunning silence in response to the accusations–neither Pilot nor Herod could find fault with Jesus.

Why?

Because Jesus was innocent.

We must remember this key detail.  Jesus was innocent.  Jesus did not go to the cross because He was found guilty; Jesus went to the cross because He was found innocent.

He was found innocent–yet He paid the penalty of a guilty man.

Actually, if you look closely at the passage in this chapter of Luke, you’ll see an interesting connection between the spiritual and physical.  I do not think it a coincidence that the earthly circumstances of the time mirrored the spiritual actions taking place in the heavens.  For as you read on in the chapter, you’ll see Jesus literally took the place of Barabbas.   Luke 23:25 reads, “He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.”   Barabbas was in prison for insurrection and murder; Jesus was in prison for supposedly misleading the people.  Barabbas killed people; Jesus healed people.  Barabbas bucked authority; Jesus respected it. Barabbas was definitely guilty; Jesus was definitely innocent.     Yet Barabbas went free, and Jesus was crucified.

Jesus took on what Barabbas deserved as He also took on what WE deserved.

Jesus not only paid the price of one guilty man during His time period, but He also paid the penalty for our guilt as well. He did not deserve the death He bore.  We did.  Barabbas did. Yet Jesus endured it anyway.

Why?

John provides the reason in John 3:16:  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus loved Barabbas–even though Barabbas deserved to die for what he’d done and Jesus deserved to live for what He didn’t do.

Jesus loves me, even though I daily mess up and deserve to pay the price of my sin.

Jesus loves you–all of you–and willingly paid the price for you as well.

So I encourage you today, my friend.  Accept this love.  Accept this great exchange.   Accept the freedom purchased for you by the One who loves you more than you could ever love yourself.  You don’t deserve it.  You can’t earn it.   But you can accept it and be grateful.

Jesus loves you and paid the penalty for you. He was innocent; you and I were born guilty.  Yet, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus didn’t deserve to die; He chose to die.  He died for Barabbas.  He died for me.  He died for you.  So rejoice in this, my friend, and be thankful.  Be thankful knowing that the One who created you loves You, and “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
(Luke 23:55-56)
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
(Luke 24:1)

The gap that separates chapter 23 and chapter 24 of Luke speaks volumes to me.  It speaks of a steadfast faith amidst seemingly hopeless circumstances.  On the day of preparation, the women who followed Jesus–who loved Jesus–who trusted Jesus to be the One who would save them–watched Jesus die an excruciating death on the cross.  I won’t even try to speculate the anguish that must have been overwhelming them at the sight of the man they loved and believed to be God’s anointed one dying on a cross alongside common criminals.

Yet they kept going.

They didn’t stay and stare at the empty cross and mourn the loss of the one they loved. They followed Joseph of Arimathea to the tomb to see where Jesus was laid.

Yet they didn’t stay at the tomb. They didn’t sit outside the tomb and wonder why they were alive outside and their beloved Savior was lifeless on the other side.

They kept going.

They returned home and prepared the spices and ointments needed to anoint their savior’s lifeless body.  They chose to honor the one they loved by giving Him the traditional burial He deserved.

Yet here is the amazing part.  After they watched Jesus die.  After they followed Joseph to the tomb.  After they went home to prepare the spices…

They rested according to the commandment.

Wow.  Even in the midst of turmoil.  Even when faced with a lifelong dream being shattered before their eyes, they obeyed. They kept serving.  The women continued to worship God according to the commandment as they were walking through the valley of the shadow of death.  Even though it appeared God had failed them; they obeyed Him still.

They honored the Sabbath.

Then, after resting for a full day and trusting God was still God even when they could not understand His plan…

They kept going.

They went back to the tomb to honor Jesus with a proper burial anointing.  They continued to serve.

And of course we know what they found:  the empty tomb.  Because JESUS IS ALIVE!

I repeat: Jesus is alive!

So I ask you today.  What does your life look like right now?  Is everything falling into place?  Are your dreams coming true?  Is your Savior making His presence known to you in amazing ways? Then praise Jesus!  Keep going. Keep believing. Keep obeying and serving your Savior. Keep thanking Him for all the great things He has done.

Or is your life falling apart?   You lost the job of your dreams.  You lost the love of your life.  You are sick, tired, confused, and wondering what happened. Then I encourage you, my friend….

Keep going!

Keep doing what you know God has called you to do.  Follow Him. Serve Him.  Obey Him.  Rest in Him.  Trust in Him that one day as you are walking the road of obedience, you will walk to the tomb and find it empty.  You won’t find a dead man buried in a tomb.  You will find a living God who never has and never will leave you alone.

God’s got a plan for your life, my friend.  Even though you may not understand it at this moment, you can trust it.  You can trust Him.

Life’s Path
Author Unknown
Who you will love and where you will go, it is all predetermined for you not to know.
God has a plan and at times it will seem on a course of its own and opposed to your dreams.
Have faith in the path and the purpose it holds and when it is painful just know it unfolds.
God has a plan, in the end you will see. It all comes together; it was all meant to be.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
(Luke 22:31-32)

As I read the above passage this morning, I noticed something important within Jesus’ warning to Peter.   Jesus didn’t pray that Simon Peter would not sin.  He didn’t say, “Simon, I have prayed for you that you will make the right choice.”  He didn’t say, “Simon, I have prayed for you that you will not deny me three times before the rooster crows.” No.  Instead He said, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”

Jesus did not pray against Peter’s failure; He prayed for Peter’s faith.

What’s the difference? The focus.  To pray against the failure would have placed the focus on Peter’s sin. It would have placed the onus on Peter to make the right choice.  And of course, if you read further, you’ll see Peter did not choose wisely; he chose to deny Jesus.  You will also see that at the realization of his denial, Peter wept bitterly.  The guilt was excruciating for Peter; after all, he himself had just arrogantly proclaimed he would never deny Jesus.

Yet I believe it is the knowledge of the guilt Peter would endure which led Jesus to pray for Peter’s faith.   Jesus knew Peter would fail.  He knew Peter would mess up and deny him three times.  Jesus wasn’t warning Peter not to sin (although I’m sure He hoped Peter wouldn’t); He was warning Peter not to give up.  Jesus knew Peter would be crushed at the thought of betraying Jesus.  He also knew to pray for Peter’s perfection was futile, but to pray for Peter’s faith was vital.   For “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).  Peter’s perfection was not the key to victory;  Peter’s faith was.

Imagine if Peter had given up?  Imagine if Peter had felt so guilty and ashamed he thought himself useless for God’s kingdom?  Imagine if Peter had kept silent from shame instead of speaking up to strengthen his brothers?  Imagine the Pentecost without Peter’s sermon–a sermon God used to draw about 3000 people to Himself? (see Acts 2) Imagine the early church without outspoken Peter?  Jesus did.  Therefore Jesus prayed.  He prayed that when Peter failed, Peter’s faith wouldn’t.

And in doing so, Jesus effectively took the spotlight off of Peter’s inadequacy and placed it on His all-sufficiency.

Peter’s ability to make good choices didn’t save him; his faith did. Peter’s ability to strengthen his brothers didn’t come from his own righteousness; it came from his faith in Jesus’ righteousness.

We all mess up.  We all fail.  If people could be perfect, then we wouldn’t need Jesus. Yet how many times have we found ourselves with the wrong focus?  We look at ourselves and think things like, “Boy, did I screw up this time”; or “If I really knew Jesus, I wouldn’t do what I just did.” Or more often than we care to admit, we look at someone else and think, “How could she do such a horrible thing and call herself a Christian?”  Yet by thinking such things, we are focusing on the wrong thing.  Yes, sin is wrong.  Yes, Jesus calls us to seek Him and His righteousness. Yes, we will be held accountable. But by focusing on our failures, we are attaching guilt and shame to the already ugly truth of sin.

Jesus didn’t die on the cross so we could be perfect; He died on the cross because He was perfect.  He came to seek and save the lost.  His focus was on saving the sinner from the penalty of sin.

It’s not our failures and the failures of others we should focus on;  it is faith–faith in Jesus.  It is by grace we have been saved, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Whether or not I make the right choices all the time does not affect my eternal destination.  Being bad doesn’t send me to hell; being good doesn’t get me into heaven.  My faith in Jesus–in His death, burial, and resurrection–is what affects my eternity.

It is what affects yours.

No one is perfect.  No one (Romans 3:10). So we must stop expecting ourselves and others to be perfect.  Instead, we should pray as Jesus did–pray that our faith will not fail–that when we turn back to God, God will in turn use us to strengthen other brothers and sisters in Christ.

Therefore, let me encourage you this evening in this:  Have you messed up?  Did you say something you shouldn’t have said?  Did you do something you shouldn’t have done?  Or maybe you were silent when you should have spoken?

Don’t lose faith!

Learn.  Grow. Seek.  Trust.  Don’t turn away; turn to.  Jesus’ death on the cross was more than enough to cover your sins.  Jesus did not die to make you perfect; He died to cover your imperfections with His robe of righteousness.

Or maybe you are on the receiving end of sin tonight.  Maybe someone hurt you in ways you never expected.  I encourage you in the same way:  don’t lose faith!  Don’t lose faith in God’s ability to draw that person back to Himself.  Instead of wondering why or how events took place, pray.  Pray that you will not lose faith in God’s goodness; pray the one who hurt you will not lose faith in God’s sufficiency–that the one who hurt you will turn back to God so God can in turn use them to strengthen others.

Pray.  Seek.  Surrender.  And don’t lose faith.  The God who called you has also saved you.  He will never let you go.  So don’t let go of Him.

 “…let us draw near 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 the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
(Hebrews 10:22-23)

 

For thus says the Lord:
“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
    and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream… (Isaiah 66:12)

Peace. To the one in the midst of battle, peace is the cessation of fighting. To the one surrounded by screaming children, peace is bedtime. To the one in a difficult relationship, peace is the restoration of harmony.

Yet, while the above instances represent a physical sense of peace affected by physical circumstances, God has been speaking a deeper aspect of peace into my life:  His peace. Unlike physical peace, however, the peace of God is purposeful, active, and unaffected by circumstances.

God’s peace is fluid.

In other words, peace in the heart of the Christ follower is not the absence of struggles; it is the existence of God’s Presence flowing through the struggles.

Look at the above passage.  God promises to extend peace like a river.  According to Dictionary.com, a river is “a natural stream of water of fairly large size flowing in a definite course or channel or series of diverging and converging channels.”  A river is large, purposeful, and flowing. A river is not stagnant.  It is not small.  A river moves–and it moves with purpose.

So when God promises peace like a river, He isn’t promising a stagnant quiet dependent upon circumstances; He is promising a purposeful peace flowing through circumstances.  Peace does not mean there are no rocks in your path.  Peace doesn’t mean there are no downed trees reaching over the banks of your life.  Peace means God’s presence flows like a river over, under, around, and through the struggles in your life.

There is a well-known illustration involving rocks, gravel, sand, and water.  The speaker places large rocks in a jar and asks if it is full.  He then adds gravel, then sand, then finally water to make the point that in life we need to make room for the big, important things in life first (like family) before adding the smaller, less important things. (Read more about it here.)  And although that is indeed an important life lesson, God brought that particular illustration to mind this morning for another reason: the types of materials.  God didn’t promise peace like a rock; rocks, after all, are too firm, too large, and too awkward to fit in every place (although they are great for building upon…see Matthew 7:24-29).  God didn’t promise peace like gravel or sand; yes, gravel and sand can fit in many places, but there will always be a little room left over, because gravel and sand are just smaller versions of stone (yet grains of sand are difficult to count and great in number, which describes perfectly God’s thoughts about you…see Psalm 139:17-18).  Rather, God promised peace like a river.   And what is a river comprised of? Water.  What is especially unique about water?  Water is liquid; therefore, water is fluid.  As fluid, water is capable of filling every crack, every crevice, every corner, every hard to reach place.  As fluid, water not only conforms to the shape of its surroundings, but it also has the ability to fill and even overflow its surroundings.

So if we have peace like a river, we have peace flowing and filling every area of our lives. No matter what shape we find our surroundings, God’s peace can fill it. There is no room for worry, for fear, for shame, or for doubt when God’s peace is flowing like a river in our lives. In fact, when He fills us with His peace, He actually fills us to overflowing (Psalm 23:5).

 God’s peace is purposeful, powerful, and it moves.

Yet we as Christ followers must choose it.

How do we choose peace?   How do we choose peace in such turbulent times?  Let me share with you what God has taught me in recent months–months full of uncertainty, unexpected events, and lots of change.

Keep your eyes on God – When Peter took His eyes off Jesus, he became distracted by the waves and began to sink.  It is by keeping your eyes on Jesus that you will be able to walk through the storms victoriously. (See Matthew 14:22-32)  It is by holding on to the God’s promises that you can proceed with peace and hope.

• “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
• “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Spend time in His Presence and His Word.  – Start each day on your knees.   Take time each day to read and meditate on God’s Word.   His Word is where you will find the promises on which you can stand.  Also, the more time you spend with Him, the more you will become like Him.  You will find His peace in His presence-

• “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
• ^“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)

Pray  –  Talk to God.  Yes, He knows what you need before you ask him (Matthew 6:8), and yes, He knows every word you will speak before you speak it (Psalm 139:4), but talk to Him anyway.  He wants to hear your voice; He wants to hear your heart.  And if it hurts too much to pray, then do what you can– even if all you can do is cry, moan, or sit in silence.  God promises He hears those prayers as well (Romans 8:26-27). And as you pray, release it all to Him.   Leave your requests, your fears, your heartache, and your burdens at His feet; then trust Him to take care of it all–to take care of you. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
• For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Remember, my friend, peace is not the absence of strife; it is the presence of God flowing through it–through the storms, through the struggles, through the pain.

So seek Him, trust Him, and rest in Him today. He will direct your paths. He will take care of you. He will give you His peace.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 15:13)

 

But now thus says the Lord , he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior….
Isaiah 43:1‭-‬3

Did you have to memorize the prepositions as a child? I did. It was a long list of modifying words we would to sing to the tune of “Yankee Doodle” and further define as “anything a squirrel can do to a tree.”

And as I was reading the above verse in Isaiah the other day, it was a preposition which caught my attention: through. To go through (and yes, a squirrel can travel “through” the trees) means to go from one side to another–not around, not under, not over, not behind–but through.   To go through something is essentially to inspect it all from front to back.  You can’t go through something without seeing its beginning, middle, and end.

So as this preposition leaped off the page into my heart, God reminded me of something important:  God doesn’t promise to keep us out of trouble; He promises to get us through it.

Through the waters.

Through the rivers.

Through the fire.

God didn’t tell Moses to go to the edge of the Red Sea, turn around, and wait for the Egyptians to overcome them (even though some Israelites complained that such was the case). God didn’t just wipe out the Egyptians with a breath, enabling the Israelites to go another direction (although that would have been awesome to see). No.  Instead God chose a path that would showcase His glory in a way that would lead the Israelites to bow in thanksgiving and worship.  That path was through the waters. God commanded Moses to lift up his staff and stretch out his hand; then “…the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground…” (Exodus 14:22).  God led Moses and the Israelites through the waters; yet the waters did not overwhelm them.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (also known as Rack, Shack, and Benny for you Veggie Tales lovers), didn’t get out of being thrown into the fire. They stood their ground in refusing to bow to anyone or anything else except God, but the victory did not come until after they went through the fire; it was through the fire God reached the heart of the king.

In the Old Testament, the Valley of Baca was also known as the Valley of Weeping.  So what did David say in regards to the valley?  As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools (Psalms 84:‬6).   Did you catch that?  As they go through the valley.  The valley of weeping becomes bearable for those who trust in the Lord. Yet it is not bearable because they avoid it; it is bearable as they go through it.

In the well known Psalm of David, Psalm 23, David praises God that even when he goes “through the darkest valley,” he will fear no danger, for he knows God is with Him and will comfort him (Psalm 23:4).   Why will he fear no danger?  Because God will keep him from the dark valley?  No. He fears no danger because God is with him, leading him and comforting him as he goes through.

And of course our greatest example of walking through suffering on this earth, is Jesus.  Peter reminds us of this in his letter:  “because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).  Think about it.  God sent His Son Jesus to this earth for a purpose: to seek and to save those who are lost (Luke 19:10).  Yet, even though Jesus prayed as any man would for God to take away the cross, Jesus also knew it was necessary.  Jesus knew the only way to victory over sin and death was through His death, burial, and resurrection.

Furthermore, Jesus Himself reminded us as He walked this earth, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

In the world we will have tribulation.  He didn’t say “you might.”  He didn’t say “you will avoid.”  He said “you will have trouble.”  Knowing Jesus does not protect us from sickness, death, persecution, failure, and famine.   Plans will fail.  People will reject us.   Our hearts will grieve.  The path of life we travel will be bumpy, curvy, and lined with thorns.

But take heart!  God has overcome the world!  He will carry us through!   We may live in a broken, flawed, and sinful world, but we also serve a God who redeems us, knows our names, and promises that as we pass through this world with all its trouble, He will be with us.

He will be with us.. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

As God spoke to Joshua, He speaks to us now: “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Wherever you go.

Whatever you go through.

No struggle we may endure could ever negate God’s goodness and sovereignty. If God Himself had to suffer through His Divine plan to save us from sin and death, then who are we to think we will get around it?

Yes, sometimes God fights the enemy while we are still and watch in awe and wonder. Others times, however, He fights the enemy by giving us His strength, His wisdom, and His guidance to walk through the battle.

So where are you today?  Do you see a valley before you, a valley apparently inevitable and seemingly full of despair?  Are you on the edge of the valley, looking down and hoping for a way around it?  Maybe you’re in it, surrounded by mountains, unsure the way to go.  Or maybe you are climbing out; you see that light, you see that mountaintop right before you.  You see the end.

Whether you are at the beginning, middle, or end of your journey, let me encourage you in this: it is a journey through.  This world–with its pain, heartache, destruction, and uncertainty–is not our final home.  It is not our final home.

And remember this my dear friend: God is with you!

God is with you before the valley.

God is with you in the valley.

God is with you as you leave the valley.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
(Deuteronomy 31:8)

 

 

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
(Psalm 95:1-2)

A year ago today I found myself on the side of the road believing I had lost everything.  Of course, in reality, I had not lost everything–it just felt like it.  At the time I was broken; I was hurt.  It was days after we had returned to Virginia from Ohio.  I was unsure the future for my children, and it looked doubtful I’d get back the job I had held so dear to my heart.  It appeared as if the very people who had said they’d miss me when I moved rejected me when I returned.  A life I at one point thought was within my control was at that moment completely out of my control.  And I did not know what to do.  I felt lost, alone, and without hope.

But God.

I want you to remember that saying today:  but God.

• “But God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
• “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
• “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15).
• “But you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!” (Psalm 109:21).

Last year as I was on the side of the road not wanting to get up, God was there. I may have felt lost and alone, but God was there.  Just as God is with me today as I stand on the other side of despair, He was with me on the road last year, reaching out His arms of love to comfort me.  If I had been listening closely to Him during those moments last year, I would have heard His still small voice whispering in my ear, “I love you, Katie.  I’ve got this.  I have plans for you greater and more abundant than you could ever hope or imagine.  I am working all this out for My good and for My glory.  Just surrender.  Surrender to Me.”

He was there then.

He is here now.

He always will be.

And as I stand here now on the brink of another move–a move that is really happening–I look back with thanksgiving for the journey God brought me through.

It wasn’t easy–probably one of the hardest years of my life–but in addition to learning that sometimes the worst experiences in our lives can become the launching pad to a glorious future, I have learned an important truth: God calls us not only to thank Him for what He has done, but also to thank Him for who He is.

Sure, thankfulness comes easily when we consider people, possessions, health, and favorable circumstances–when we consider the “things” in life that make life enjoyable.  To be thankful is to appreciate what we have been given, and on some occasions, like this past year, what we have not been given.  Yet I believe God also calls us to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

What is the difference between being thankful and offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving? I believe it comes down to our focus.  When my  heart is thankful for God’s goodness evident  in my life, my focus  is on what God has done.  When I offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, my focus is on who God is, regardless of any external evidence present in my life.

Let me explain. The other day as I got on my knees to pray, my heart was immediately overwhelmed with thankfulness.  The thankfulness, however, was not because of anything specific within my life.  There was nothing apparently new to be thankful for.  In fact, my future was actually somewhat threatened by unexpected news.   My thankfulness at that moment was actually to God for–well–being God.  I just knelt beside my bed in adoration and thankfulness that He is God. Yes, God.  No matter what is going on in life, God is still God.  Last year at this time, even though I felt my life was at its worst, God was still at His best.  God was still in control–even when I was not.

God is God.  And as God, He calls us not only to thank Him for the great things He has done, but also to thank Him for who He is.

Look at Psalm 95.  The verses above encourage us to come into His presence with thanksgiving and to enter His courts with praise.  For what reason? Health?  No.  Prosperity?  No.  Relationships?  No.  Psalm 95 doesn’t call us to thank God for what He does for us; it calls us to thank God for who He is. Go ahead and read with me the reason we are told to enter His presence with thanksgiving:

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
For he is our God,
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    and the sheep of his hand.
(Psalm 95:2-7) 

We enter His presence with thanksgiving because He is God–a great God–King of all gods.  He created the earth.  He created the sea.  He created me.  He created you.  We are to enter His presence with thanksgiving, not because of what is going on, but rather because of who He is.  Circumstances do not change who God is; circumstances may glorify God, but they are not the reason He is worthy of our praise.  He Himself is worthy of our praise because He is God.  I AM is, whether or not life appears to align with His goodness.  Regardless the place I find myself–regardless of the mountain that is before me–regardless of the pain, the grief, the sadness–God is good.  And God is God.

Man will never remove God from His throne.

And for this I am thankful.

You see, the sacrifice of thanksgiving is not about who we are or where we are; it is about who God is.  God is above all, over all, and in all.  Even in our darkest moments, God is there. Last year, when I found myself on the side of the road wondering what had happened to my life, God was there.   A month ago, when the house we thought we should get was stolen out from under us by no fault of our own, God was there.

God is not just there when life is good and things are going our way.  God is there through the darkness as well.  We may not understand the darkness. We may not understand the grief.  But we can know and be thankful for the truth–the truth that God is God, God is good, and we are His children.

So are things going your way and life seems to be going well right now? Then by all means, thank God for His goodness present in your life.   Yet I also encourage you to take a moment to bow before Him and just thank Him for being Who He is–for being God.  Because if He did nothing else visibly good in your life from this point forward, He is still worthy–still worthy of praise and thanksgiving.

Are things not going well?  Are you reading this and thinking to yourself, “What do you know?!  I am grieving! I’m struggling! I am hurt!  I am alone!  I’ve lost everything important to me!”

Let me encourage you today, dear friend. First, you are right in that I do not know exactly what you are feeling at this very moment.  But God does.  Every aspect of grief, every heartache, every pain, every struggle–God Himself experienced through His Son Jesus.  God knows.  He knows the path you are traveling.  He knows where this path will lead.  He knows.  And He cares.  And He is working all things out according to His ultimate plan.  As a good friend once encouraged me, God is working His “perfect plan in an imperfect world.”

So please remember this important truth:  God is God; you are His child.  He is orchestrating every moment, even the horrific ones, for His good and His glory.

So praise Him. Follow the directive of 1 Thessalonians 5:18,  and “Be thankful in all circumstances….”  Get on your knees this very moment and praise Him.  Thank Him for being who He is in spite of the circumstances you find yourself enduring.  And as you thank Him, trust Him. He is faithful. Trust that He sees you, sees your heart, and sees your sacrifice of thanksgiving.  And what God sees in secret, He will reward in the open–if not in this age, then definitely in the one to come.

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
    to one who orders his way rightly
    I will show the salvation of God!
(Psalm 50:23)