Tag: Rest

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Rest

Daily Reading

Job 29-31

Daily Thought

Job ignored his friends and laid out his final appeal before God: my life was good, really good (Job 29). Now it’s really bad (Job 30). What did I do wrong? (Job 31). At least sixteen times Job suggests a sin and begins, “If I have,” by which he means he hasn’t. Job is, indeed, a righteous man.

If “the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28), Job was intentional in turning away: “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1). It was not that his eyes would stop seeing–that would be impossible–but that they would never stop moving. The first look is free, it cannot be stopped. It is the second look that costs you. Job’s eyes would not fix their gaze on what they should not.

Job had, at last, presented his case before God, and he was done; “the words of Job are ended” (Job 31:40). In judicial jargon, he rested.

“The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.” ~Isaiah 32:17

It is called shalom, this place of peace where Job had arrived. The turmoil swirled around him still, yet he is secure in the hands of God, as he had always been.

Daily Prayer

Father in heaven, You are holy, You are good. Your kingdom is righteous. I long to live forever in a righteous kingdom, a kingdom where peace reigns, but may it begin now with me. May I find peace in a messy world by trusting in You. 

Help me guard my eyes, God, that they will not linger on temptation. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, may I fix my gaze on such as these and delight in goodness. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, in my life, right now, as it is in heaven. 

Amen

Daily Question

What intentional habits do you practice to keep yourself from sinning? 

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Like a Child

Daily Reading

Matthew 11-12

Daily Thought

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ~Matthew 11:25-26

On the wall over the fireplace is mounted a “Smart TV.” It is filled with hundreds of apps showing thousands of programs, all accessible by pressing a few of the thirty buttons on one of the three remotes laying on the side table. I just want to watch the Packers play the Rams. But which channel? Is it ESPN or Amazon Prime or one of the Networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX. I am ten minutes into the game before I figure it out.

Sometimes I long for childhood when the TV had three channels plus UHF (which no kid watched because it only showed documentaries). Sure, there were too few stations to show all the games, and none may be showing the game I wanted. but the game that was on, I watched, and so did all my friends, and the next day at school we had something to talk about because we all watched the same game. It was something we shared. It was community. It was simple. It was good.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Matthew 11:28

More isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s just more. I am a grandpa now, “Bapa” to Zoë and Clarke. There are times when this cluttered life leaves them distressed, but I have two arms for two granddaughters and I open them and they snuggle in and their heads melt into my chest and life is simple and good again.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 18:3

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am amazed that you wait for me with open arms. I rush by you, rush away from you, so often, for things I think are important. They never satisfy me like You do. Keep reminding me to seek You first and let You take care of everything else. You are in charge of this world. I should let You order it. There is only one place of peace I know and that is in Your arms.

Amen

Daily Question

Are you happy with the amount of activity in your life?

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The Fear of God

Daily Reading

Habakkuk 1-3; Zephaniah 1-3

Daily Thought

The prophet Habakkuk cries out to a righteous God, “You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent?” (Habakkuk 1:13). The powerful Chaldeans are wicked people and they are attacking us. God, do you not see the evil in this world?

Mr. Dubose was the mean neighbor in the white house three houses down from my childhood home. One day, playing kickball in the street, the ball went astray and hit the rear tire of his corvette. Mr. Dubose held the ball out for me to retrieve, but as I approached, he reared back and fired it into my chest knocking me over. This was Goliath versus David, the Chaldeans versus Israel, Mr. Dubose versus 7-year-old me. Except I have a dad and my dad came out and had a “talk” with Mr. Dubose. My dad was a Marine in World War II and fought in the battle of Okinawa. I had never seen my dad fight (and never would), but as I watched him talk with our neighbor, I gained a sense of what he was capable.

In chapter 2, God responds to Habakkuk: “Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own” (v 6); “Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house” (v 9); “Woe to him who builds a town with blood” (v 12); “Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink” (v 15); “Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise!” (v 19). God may be unseen, but he sees all. He sees all the plunder, the pride, the warfare, the debauchery, the idolatry, so he has a “talk” with the Chaldeans, but these woes are more than a warning to an evil people, they are words of assurance to God’s children. Habakkuk can rest; he belongs to God. God is by his side and on his side.  

Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us. ~Habakkuk 3:16

Mr. Dubose did not change. He remained the mean old man in the white house, but he did not frighten me anymore because I knew my dad was here, he was capable, and he cares. 

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love.  ~Zephaniah 3:16-17

Daily Prayer

My God, Yours is the Name above all names. There is authority in Your Name, and in Your Name I find life. Your Name is holy and good, righteous and powerful. I know this and I am learning to trust You. And as I learn to trust You, I find rest. If you are for me, who can be against me? I am glad You are here, You are almighty, and You love me. 

What foe shall I fear when God is my friend.

Amen

Daily Question

Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” What does that mean?

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Insomnia’s Cure

Daily Reading

Psalm 74-77

Daily Thought

“I can’t sleep!” That’s what Psalm 77:1-4 says, and we’ve all been there. Something is turning over and over in Asaph’s mind, troubling his thoughts, “You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled I cannot speak” (Psalm 77:4). He is focused on the problem and he cannot figure it out. The problem is a big one, Babylon has captured Judah and there is no more Israel. It seems God no longer cares, “Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” (Psalm 77:9). Israel’s constant rebellion has finally taken its toll and God has given up and is no longer listening. 

That’s what it seems, anyway.

Then change comes, not in God, but in Asaph. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old” (Psalm 77:11). Asaph stops thinking about Babylon and remembers Egypt. Babylon is about captivity; Egypt is deliverance. God does not give up; he saves his people.

When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled. ~Psalm 77:16

Babylon, like Egypt, did not fear God. How foolish. Water fears God! And obeys his word. The seas parted, Israel escaped, Egypt met God’s vengeance, and Asaph remembered and it gave him rest.

Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron. ~Psalm 77:19-20

You should fear God, Babylon. It should keep you awake. And Asaph, go to sleep. 

“Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.” ~Psalm 77:13-14

Change comes, not in my circumstances, but in me, when my focus shifts from my problems to my God

Daily Prayer

My Creator, You are Lord of all. You establish justice and promote righteousness. You have made Your ways known, Your Laws are clear and they are good.  May I ever remember that You do not change, and that is good. You are always holy, always good, always just, and always gracious, so no matter how bad my circumstances, they will change before You do. I can count on You God, always. May I always remember that.

I will walk in Your ways, God, because Your path is straight. It gets me where You want me to go, and that is a good place.

Amen

Daily Question

Do you fear God? Why or why not?

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Barking Dogs

Daily Reading

Psalm 32-35

Daily Thought

Psalm 32 contains King David’s inside thoughts about the events of 2Samuel 11 and 12. The story begins, “In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, King David remained in Jerusalem” (2Samuel 11:1). Sin shows up when you are not where you should be. The soldiers were away, and the wife of one of them was available. She conceived a child. To cover it up, the king brought the husband home from battle. If Uriah would enjoy a night with his wife, no one would know David had, but Uriah was one of David’s mighty men, an honorable man who does not take pleasure when his fellow warriors battle. The king got Uriah drunk, but Uriah’s integrity was stronger than the wine and Uriah slept on the porch. So, the king sent Uriah back to battle and arranged his murder in battle. David believed, at last, his secret was secure. He could rest. When you finally get a sin wrapped up all nice and tidy, you breathe a sigh of relief.

Except for the dogs. Dogs bark to protect their master’s home. Annoying barking dogs. Uriah’s dogs began to bark and kept barking. David had robbed his home, so they barked. David could hear them in his sleep. Adultery, Woof, Deceit, Woof. Murder, Woof. They don’t let up. King David thought he got away with it, and he almost did.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. ~Psalm 32:3-4

Pray that you never find rest in sin. Worse than the barking would be peace with iniquity. Because of the dogs, David found the just discipline of the Lord, and it hurt. But through the pain, he also found God’s mercy and grace. He found peace.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. ~Psalm 32:1, 7

Thank goodness for barking dogs.

Daily Prayer

Father in heaven, you are holy, you are good. Your kingdom is righteous. I long to live forever, a righteous man in a righteous kingdom. Do what it takes to prepare me for Your kingdom.

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts. If there is any wicked way in me, straighten my path. Lead me in the way everlasting.

Amen

Daily Question

Do you appreciate your conscience or does it annoy you, or both?

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The Little Green Car

Daily Reading

Isaiah 54-58

Daily Thought

He drives fast, whips around a little green car who is not in a hurry, and speeds ahead. The next light is red. Brake. Accelerate. Brake again. A “Speed Checked By Radar” sign, his eyes dart from the rear view mirror to the road ahead and back to the mirror. He will see the cop before the cop sees him. Switching lanes for the 20th time in 12 miles, the last turn is ahead. He checks his watch. Fifteen minutes. Not bad. His shoulder aches.  “Why am I so tense?” he wonders, as he rubs it.  

“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” ~Isaiah 57:21

He turns the corner and, one last time, glances at the mirror, spying the little green car coasting through the intersection, 30 seconds behind. The guy in the green car, his shoulders feel fine.

For the righteous man is taken away from calamity;
he enters into peace;
they rest in their beds
who walk in their uprightness. ~Isaiah 57:1-2

Peace and rest are found only in righteousness.

Daily Prayer

God of Peace, when I follow You, when I walk on the path You lay before me, when I pursue righteousness, I live confidently and I enjoy peace. What a wonderful feeling it is, Father, to think back on my day without shame. To smile because I made You smile. To know that I do not fear getting caught because I have nothing to hide. To live in the truth because I told no lies. 

God, when I do what is right, I find rest. And it’s a lot easier to talk with You.

Amen

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Barking Dogs

Daily Reading

Psalm 32-35

Daily Thought

Dogs protect their homes. Annoying barking dogs. King David thought he got away with it, and he almost did.

Psalm 32 is David’s inside thoughts about the events of 2Samuel 11 and 12. The story begins, “In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, King David remained in Jerusalem.” Sin’s moment arrives when you are not where you should be. The soldiers were away, and the wife of one of them was available. She conceived a child. To cover it up, the king brought the husband home from battle. If Uriah would enjoy a night with his wife, no one would know David had, but Uriah was one of David’s mighty men, an honorable man who does not take pleasure when his fellow warriors battle. The king got Uriah drunk, but Uriah’s integrity was stronger than the wine and Uriah slept on the porch. So, the king sent Uriah back to battle and arranged his murder in battle. David believed, at last, his secret was secure. He could rest. When you finally get a sin wrapped up all nice and tidy, you breathe a sigh of relief.

But the dogs kept barking. David had robbed their home, so they barked. Adultery, Woof, Deceit, Woof. Murder, Woof. And they don’t let up.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. ~Psalm 32:3-4

Pray that you never find rest in sin. Worse than the barking would be peace with iniquity. Because of the dogs, David found the just discipline of the Lord, and it hurt. But through the pain, he also found God’s mercy and grace. He found peace.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. ~Psalm 32:1, 7

Thank goodness for barking dogs.

Daily Prayer

Father in heaven, you are holy, you are good. Your kingdom is righteous. I long to live forever, a righteous man in a righteous kingdom. Do what it takes to prepare me for Your kingdom.

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts. If there is any wicked way in me, straighten my path. Lead me in the way everlasting.

Amen

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Rest

Daily Reading

Job 29-31

Daily Thought

Job ignores his friends and lays out his final appeal before God: my life was good, really good (Job 29). Now it’s really bad (Job 30). What did I do wrong? (Job 31). At least sixteen times he begins, “If I have,” meaning he hasn’t, and the sins he lists are common sins. Job is, indeed, a righteous man.

“Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). Job was intent on turning away. “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1), not that his eyes would stop seeing–that would be impossible–but that they would never stop moving. That they would not fix their gaze on what they should not. The first look is free, it cannot be stopped. It is the second look that costs you. “If my step has turned aside from the way and my heart has gone after my eyes,” (Job 31:7); Job knew his steps follow his heart and his heart follows his eyes, so he contested temptation quickly. 

Job presented his case before God, then he was done; “The words of Job are ended” (Job 31:40). In judicial jargon, he rested. It is called shalom, peace, “and the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever” (Isaiah 32:17). The turmoil swirled around him still, but he was in the hands of God now, as he had always been.

Daily Prayer

Father in heaven, You are holy, You are good. Your kingdom is righteous. I long to live forever in a righteous kingdom, a kingdom where peace reigns, but may it begin now with me. May I find peace in a righteous life and contentment in trusting You. 

Help me guard my eyes, God, that they will not linger on temptation. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, may I fix my gaze on such as these and delight in goodness. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, in my life, right now, as it is in heaven. 

Amen