A Thousand Words of a Ravenous Wolf

 Reading through 2 Chronicles, I was  moved and convicted by the character of King Asa.  If you're not familiar with 1st and 2nd Chronicles, it captures the stories of the various kings of Israel.  Let me tell you, it's a real mixed bag.  While some of the kings manage (almost by accident it seems at times) to 'do what was right', most of them fail miserably and fall into idolatry or worse.  Asa is an exception to this.  Despite a dubious upbringing (his mother worshiped  idols)  Asa trusted God and did what was right.  2 Chronicles 14 captures Asa's faithful and obedient actions taking away the foreign high places of idol worship and leading the children of Israel into victorious battle.   The height of Asa's faith is captured in verse 11.  Before battle against a vastly superior adversary, Asa prays, "O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak.  Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on yo...

This verse is a great example of the tension the gospel presents in our hearts.  In the first part of the passage, Peter tells us to anticipate suffering.  This is understandable; if suffering came for Christ it will come for us as well.  Peter could have stopped there and simply given the warning. He also could have paired it with a more logical suggestion, such as 'endure the trials when they come".  Instead, he instructs us to...rejoice? It is such a head scratching concept!  Rejoice? Suffering? These two words certainly make strange bedfellows, but the gospel is not satisfied with half measures.  Christ wants us to experience his victory in every aspect of our lives, including our attitude. What trials does God have you experiencing today?  Can you take a step towards rejoicing in them?      Beloved, do not be surprised at  the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you....

One of the most beautiful things God does for us is remove us from the mire and give us access to the throne. We’re granted permission to approach not only on our own behalf, but also given the power to intercede for others. Our faces become radiant when we reflect God’s light to others.  “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/59/1pe.2.9.ESV I am including some pictures of my sketch as it develops from the first germ of the idea until I finish it. The time it takes to go from idea to final sketch really facilitates meditation on the passage.  

This passage deeply touched my heart. When a soldier is watching through the long hours of the night, dawn brings two things; the first is the peace of mind which comes when you are relieved. The second is the quiet calm that follows with the knowledge you survived the night. I have found myself in the night recently, waiting for the dawn. If you find yourself there too, I hope you can join me in this prayer. “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭130:3-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.130.3-6.ESV

  During a recent message I heard on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, the teacher drew attention to the social traditions Jesus broke while talking with the young woman. The most striking to me was the fact that Jesus asked her for a drink, despite the fact that drinking out of her vessel would have made him ritually unclean due to her status as a Samaritan. As I thought on this passage, the words of the woman struck me. She couldn’t imagine this Jewish man would want to use HER bucket. Surely there was another bucket he needed to draw the water he was talking about! I think about the things I bring to my encounters with Jesus; my selfish heart and unskilled hands. They feel like a dented old bucket. I tell myself, “Jesus has much better resources available than what I bring.”  Instead of thinking this way, I am challenged to bring what I have to Jesus when he asks, instead of looking around for a better bucket. “So he came to a town of Samaria called...

 I can't help but picture Jesus' words when I read this passage: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing." Luke 13:34   There is a source of comfort and safety available to us, if only we are willing to seek it!  Accepting my own weakness and need for Christ is a lot easier when I think of myself as the fuzzy little fellow above.  While I am growing, I still cannot handle the challenges in my path alone.  I need Jesus to provide a safe place to rest and recover.