Satisfied

Oh the sweetness of a mother with her baby – thirty plus years later and I can still vividly remember the quiet love that washed over me like a tidal wave when they placed my son in my arms. But he had only one thing in mind – his craving for nourishment. He wanted to eat! Every mom knows that infants will sound the alarm when the first pangs of hunger hit. Mom fills the baby’s empty tummy, and for a season that is all the child knows of her. She is the one who meets his needs. But children grow and the relationship grows with it. The baby soon discovers that Mom is more than a place to eat.
David wrote, “I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me” (Ps 131:2). This is a picture of the child who is past the craving stage; he no longer sees his mother as just a source of food. She is a person to enjoy, a person who loves him. Now he can be content just being in her presence without making demands of her. He still calls for her when he has a need, and he will frequently glance back at her to make sure she is still there and is satisfied to see her nearby.
Are you content simply being in the Father’s presence? Or do you still regard Him as a means to fill your wants and needs? Those who are most satisfied in their relationship with God are the ones who have learned to enjoy Him for who He is. Yes, they trust Him to meet their needs as they come. But He is so much more than a solution to their problems. More and more the Lord is teaching me to love Him for who He is, not just for what He can do for me.
Can you sit with Him in the quiet and just enjoy the privilege? God is able and willing to meet your needs – and your greatest need is Him. Beloved, won’t you come a sit a while with your Father?

And If He Does Not . . .

Three Hebrew youths stood before Nebuchadnezzar. They had refused to bow before the King’s statue even though every other official in Babylon had put their faces to the dirt in homage to ninety feet of gold. They knew that the penalty for their actions was certain death. But what the king was asking would compromise their devotion to the God of Israel. And they would not.
Nebuchadnezzar gave them one more chance to obey his edict and bow down. “But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace.” And he added an ironic punch line: “Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (Dan 3:15).
“Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to rescue us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand.’” (v. 16-17). What confidence! What faith! I want a faith like that.
Yet – they gave room for God to be God. They said, “But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (v. 18). They believed and trusted God, but they did not demand God to act in their favor. And if He chose not to, they would not cease to worship Him, even to their dying breath.
Decisions are going to be made today that will greatly impact my family – especially someone I love with all my heart. I have prayed for God’s favor. and I am trusting Him for the outcome, believing He can “turn the heart of the king” (Prov 21:1). But if He does not . . .
I will still trust Him. I will still believe in His faithfulness. I will still worship and serve Him. I will still teach His Word. I will still give my heart and life to Him. I will still believe that He is good. Oh, it will hurt, but I will still declare that He is God – my God – and that His judgments are right. You see, in all my prayers I have prayed most earnestly for His will – His good, pleasing, and perfect will (Rom 12:2). And if His will is not my will – He is still God. My holy, heavenly Father. And hers.

Rest for Your Soul

Joy loves to snuggle up to me or Poppy at naptime when she is home. She always starts out facing away from us until she is ready to surrender to sleep. Then she will give a big sigh and turn over so that she is facing whomever she is with and immediately drifts off. I can feel the release in her body as she gives herself over to sweet sleep.
I always think of her when I read Matthew 11:28-30: Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
In the context of Jesus’ message, He was speaking to all those who had been burdened down by the Levitical law. The image was of a pair of oxen – the bigger, stronger ox bore the bulk of the load so that the younger, weaker animal did not become exhausted. The Levites took the original commands of God and added the 613 Levitical laws them to create an enormous burden for anyone who tried to live righteously. It was impossible to maintain. Jesus wanted them to know that He would not put any additional burdens on them; in fact, he would take their burdens on Himself and lighten their load.
As believers on this side of the cross, we don’t live under all those laws, but we live with struggles and difficulties and pressures and burdens. We live with wayward children and too much responsibility and too little support. We live with doubt and pain and broken relationships. We live with fearful diagnoses and fear of the world outside our door. We live with grief and loneliness and heartache. And we live with our guilt and shame. It all weighs us down and wears us out. Sometimes it’s all too much to bear.
Beloved, if you are tired – if the weight of the world, your family, anxieties, heartaches, or failures have made you weary, may I offer some advice? Take a deep breath and turn your face to Jesus. Give Him all your worries and fears and heartaches and sorrows. Roll the weight of it all onto Him and give yourself and your burdens over to Him. He will bear the load and carry you too. And you will find rest for your soul.

This Baby Changed the World

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son” (Luke 2:6).

They say that having a baby will change your life completely, and every parent knows that is true. You give your whole self away to your child and you never get yourself back. Your time is no longer your own – your days are filled with feedings and diaper changes, and more of the same through the night. Your money is not yours anymore – whoever imagined someone so tiny would need so much stuff? Your priorities are different, your goals are reshaped, and your entire identity is redefined. And you wouldn’t have it any other way.

There is a Baby who will change your life in far greater ways. This Baby will give your life direction and purpose. This Baby will bring you peace in the midst of a storm. He will comfort you when you are weary and broken. He will lift you up when you fall. This Baby will bring you immeasurable Joy. He can wash away the stain of guilt and shame and make you new. This Baby brings hope where all hope is faded. He brings light into the darkest night. This Baby brings healing to body and mind and heart. This Baby will change the way you think and the way you live. He will transform your heart and cause you to love in ways you never expected. And if all that wasn’t enough, this Baby will change your life beyond this life.

This Baby left the glory of heaven to save the entire human race. He brought peace between God and man. He broke the chains of sin. He erased the curse of death. This Baby took on your sin and mine; He bore the punishment that you and I rightly deserved. He surrendered His body to the cross and the grave. He did it all so that you and I could have life – full and abundant and eternal. He gave Himself away so that you could get yourself back. This Baby – the Lord Jesus Christ – changes everything. Beloved, I pray you have received this Baby, this Man – the Son of God – as your Savior.

Advent 2023: (Not) Just Another Baby

“The Virgin of the Angels” William-Adolphe Bouquereua (1825-1905)

Joy had a bumpy week with us this week. She was not at her best – there were many tantrums and tears and lots of “NO!” punctuated with stomping feet. She is a strong-willed little girl with a lot of emotion. Heaven help us. She especially fights bedtime. But when she finally falls asleep – usually curled up on Poppy’s arm – I look at her and all the frustrations of the day melt away.

To watch a child sleeping is to see the sweet face of innocence. Their eyes are closed to the world; mouth in soft repose as a tranquil, near-holy hush settles over their whole being. They say that when a baby smiles in his sleep, he has been kissed by an angel. If that is true—and why would we doubt it—the Infant Jesus must have smiled the whole night through. This Child was loved and adored on earth and in heaven.

Every baby brings a sense of promise to his family. Mother and father have dreams in their hearts of who this child will be—a doctor, a teacher, a missionary, or a dancer, perhaps even a leader who will one day change the world. One mother knew that her baby indeed would. One mother held the true Child of Promise for all mankind, the Messiah who would bring peace on earth.

Oh, He looked like any other baby lying there in her arms, small, helpless, and beautiful. He cried like other babies. He needed to be fed and changed like other babies. But she had heard the angel say that her child would be the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Joseph said that the angel had come to him too, and told him that this Child “will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Her cousin Elizabeth had declared “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear” (Luke 1:43). And what about the shepherds that came from the fields with a wild and glorious story of singing angels (Luke 2:8-18)? It is any wonder that “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19)?

To the rest of the world, it was just another night. To anyone who might have come upon the stable, he was just another baby. But a young mother—and all of heaven knew—peace had come to the earth, wrapped in rough cloths, sleeping in a manger.

Thanks Giving

The Ark of the Covenant, the one element of the Tabernacle that was God’s special dwelling place, had been captured by the Philistines.  David set out to bring the Ark home, and the people and their king were ecstatic.  They celebrated with sacrifices and offerings and Joyful thanks.  The king wrote a psalm: “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done” (1 Chr 16:8). With the Ark secured in its rightful place, David appointed priests and Levites to minister before the Ark, to present the daily offerings and some to guard the gate to the tent.

There was another important position to be filled: “With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, ‘for His love endures forever’” (1 Chr 16:41). Their sole responsibility was to express gratitude to the Lord who was again dwelling among His people.  They led the Israelites in songs and exclamations of thanks.

Did you know that you are also chosen to give thanks? You may not be a descendant of Aaron, the first high priest, but 1 Peter 2:9 says: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light.” If you are in Christ, you have been chosen by God to be His royal priest.  You have been given the special mission of leading your family, church, community, and nation in gratitude to the Lord who created you, sustains you, provides for you, and, most importantly of all, the One who saved and redeemed you and marked you for eternal life.  Being a priest of God is a high and holy calling.

As you gather with family and friends today, remember that God is with you in your celebration. And never forget that you are a priest chosen by the Lord to give thanks.  So give thanks, Beloved – today and every day. I pray you have a blessed and Joyful Thanksgiving friends.

Best Friends

Yesterday Joy decided that she wanted things her way and Nana did not comply which resulted in a full-blown temper tantrum. They are few and far between these days, but when she hits one it is epic. We’ve learned in these moments to just let her get it out of her system and then she is usually okay. That proved true yesterday as she spent all her angst and afterwards, we resolved the issue calmly.

When the dust settled and we were snuggled in the rocker, she said, “Nana, do you think we can be best friends again?” Oh, how that wrenched my heart. I drew her extra close and said, “Sweetheart, you and I will always be best friends, no matter what. On good days and bad days and happy days and angry days. I will always, always, always love you.” She drew in a contented sigh and laid her head on my shoulder.

If that touched your heart, I have another story for you. It’s about God and a ragtag bunch of rebellious people. While Moses was on the mountaintop meeting with the Lord, the Israelites were down below worshiping a golden calf. The Lord was quite angry. So much so that he intended to withdraw Himself from their presence lest He “destroy you on the way” (Ex. 33:3).

Thank heavens for Moses, who intervened on behalf of the people and the Lord relented. Then Moses got bold. He said, “Now [please] show me Your glory” (v. 18). And wonder of wonders, He did. The Lord tucked him into the cleft of a rock, covered him with His hand, and as He passed by him, He “proclaimed His name, the Lord” (v. 5) and His nature: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin” (34:6-7 – yes, there’s more and we’ll cover that later).  The Lord, who had every authority to destroy the rebellious Israelites instead declared his compassion, grace, patience, love, faithfulness, and forgiveness.

Have you sinned? Have you stomped your feet and told God “NO!”? Have you run from Him and fallen into a pit? Do you feel like God doesn’t want to be your friend anymore?  Don’t give in to those feelings. Ours is a God who loves to forgive and restore. Hear this loud and clear Beloved, you cannot make God stop loving you. You cannot make Him turn His back on you. No matter what you do, He is your best friend for life – and forever.

Make Your Words Count

Pay attention to your words.

They have more power and influence than you know – for those around you and for yourself. Scripture even says our words influence God. Whoa! In Numbers 13, the Israelites send out spies to check out the land of Canaan – the Promised Land. They returned with a glowing report of bounty and a terrifying tale of giants. Only two of the twelve trusted God to give them the land. The people rebelled and complained, claiming God sent them out into the desert to die. God heard every word and He said, “As surely as I live, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: In this desert, your bodies will fall . . .” (Num 14:28-29). Their children would inherit the Promised Land after forty years of wandering, but their unbelieving parents would never see it.

Psychologists have long taught the power of self-talk – from the Little Engine that Could – “I think I can, I think I can . . .” to athletes who rely on “I can do all things through Christ” (Phil 4:13). The 23rd Psalm is David expressing his hope and confidence in the provision, protection, guidance, comfort, goodness, and mercy of God. And if you haven’t figured it out, worship is more for our good than the Lord’s. He doesn’t need reminders of who He is, but you and I do.

Your words also carry a lot of weight in the lives of others. Once again David shows us how to change the climate around us. In Psalm 40 he said, “I proclaim [Your] righteousness in the great assembly” (v. 9). “I speak of your faithfulness and salvation . . . Your love and Your truth (v. 10)”. David was careful to always speak about God. He kept the Name of the Lord on the tip of His tongue and His praises on His lips. That’s very different from the conversations we hear all around us. Even the conversations we hear at church.

You and I have the power to influence our hearts and minds and that of those around you. David said the Lord had “put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord” (v. 3). What if everyone around you heard you always speak about the goodness of God? Imagine how that would change your home, your workplace, school, and yes, church. Imagine the change inside you. Your words matter, Beloved, make them count for good.

The Mess

Joy made a mess one day. It wasn’t a particularly big mess – just some spilled ice cream. It happens with 4-year-olds. (By the way, it happens with 62-year-olds too.) The problem came when she tried to hide her mess by strategically rearranging some furniture. When I walked into the room and saw her little white table in the middle of the floor, I knew something was up.

“Joy, why is your table here instead of by the window?” I asked.

“I just wanted to put it here” she answered with a shrug.

“Okay,” I said. “Why don’t you sit there and eat your snack?

“Oh, no, Nana. I don’t want to eat here!”

“But you usually eat at your table. Is something wrong?”

“No. I just don’t want to eat at my table.”

“Well, maybe you can play with your puzzle on your table.”

“No. I don’t think so.”

“Okay then.”

As she played, I watched her stealing glances at her mess. She was drawing more and more attention to it even though she was trying to keep me from seeing it. Finally, she came over to me with a big sigh, “Nana, I spilled some ice cream on the floor and I put my table over it so you wouldn’t see it. Can I have a towel to clean it up?”

“Of course, Sweetheart,” I answered with a hug. “And I’ll help you.”

After we finished cleaning up her mess, I pulled her close and said, “You don’t have to hide your messes from Nana. Just tell me what happened and we’ll fix it together.”

“Okay, Nana!” she answered and skipped away to play.

Have you ever tried to hide your sin from God? You may rearrange some things to cover it over, but it just glares at you. And, like Joy, the more you try to pretend that nothing happened the more obvious it becomes. After his sin with Bathsheba, David said, “I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me” (Ps 51:3). Guilt has amazing staying power. Besides, how foolish is it to imagine we could hide our mess from the all-seeing, all-knowing God? And how unnecessary is it to bear that oppressive weight when God stands ready to forgive us?

Like a little girl with a heavy burden, David came to God with his sin and traded his guilt and shame for mercy, unfailing love, great compassion, and Joy (v. 1, 12). Beloved, whatever you’ve done, no matter how big the mess, go to your Father. He will help you. He will cleanse you and restore your Joy. Don’t bear that burden one minute longer. The only thing better than a clean floor is a clean heart.

The Truth of God

In the 1920’s psychologist John B. Watson advised parents to never show children physical affection – no hugs or kisses or cuddles – handshakes only.  I thought to myself, “Who on earth would adhere to such bizarre advice?”  That goes against every nurturing instinct we have as parents. But people actually listened to this crazy man and followed his opinion because he was an “expert.”

But hasn’t the world done the same thing?  “Learned” men and women have said, “There’s no such thing as God.”  “Man and the universe were not created, they just happened.”  We listened to this insanity because it comes from the “experts” of our day.  But it goes against every natural instinct in us. 

Paul wrote: “Men suppressed the truth by their wickedness since what may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:18-22).

Why do we listen to such human foolishness?  Why do we fight against what we know in our hearts to be true?  Because we put more stock in man’s opinion than in the evidence God placed all around us.  Even the atheist cannot escape the truth of God. Every morning when he looks in the mirror, he is confronted with the proof of God’s existence staring him right in the face. I am convinced it takes more faith to believe that life happened by accident than to believe in a Creator who made it all.

God is just as real to me as my skin and bones. I can look to the skies or look at my hands and know that He made both. He made you too – from the top of your head to the ends of your toes. David said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Ps 19:1). So do you. You are the grand culmination of God’s creative work, made in His very image. I’m no expert, but you can trust me on this – God is real; He created you – and He loves you. Beloved, that’s the truest thing you’ll ever hear.