A House In The Rock

"The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks."  Proverbs 30:26.  Are we not feeble?  The issues of life cast us down.  We become disquieted.  Our strength fails.  The Apostle Paul found himself to be "pressed out of measure, above strength."  II Corinthians 1:8.  The difficulties come that test our strength.  Those who are feeble need a shelter.  Our hearts long for comfort and quietness.  The conies make their house where there is protection.  Our rock is solid and firm.  We, by building our house, upon the rock are secure.  The rains, storms, and winds of life cannot move us.  Feebleness is overcome when the house is on the rock.

Pleading My Cause

"O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul: thou hast redeemed my life."  Lamentations 3:58.  Jeremiah weeps because of Jerusalem's sin.  Her captivity has come.  The prophet is in despair.  Are we in tears because of society's waywardness?  Has the sin of humanity become our grief?  Jeremiah calls out to His redeemer.  With confidence and assurance he pleads.  There is no blame toward God for the present calamity.  In God, there is hope in the face of despair.  There is a refuge in the midst of loss.  God's anger is about him.  The emptiness of the city surrounds him.  Where does the prophet cast his eye?  Upon whom does he call?  Jeremiah seeks the Lord.  His cause is heard and his need answered.  May we ever know that the Lord has pleaded our cause and redeemed our life.

Praise From All

"O Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him all ye people.  For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.  Praise ye the Lord."  Psalm 117:1-2.  Is it not right that the Lord would want all nations and all people to praise Him?  All nations of men have been made of one blood and all people dwell on the face of the earth.  Acts 17:26.  God is worthy of our adoration because of His creation of all and His mercy that guards that creation.  We could not endure without God's mercy.  Sin is too widespread.  Iniquity abounds.  Life continues because of God's mercy.  And His truth forever endures.  His truth cannot be overthrown nor diminished.  Truth has come from His righteous character.  Truth and mercy flow from God.  We could not know mercy and truth without God's imprint.  His mercy stands upon His truth.  Because God is truthful, He is merciful.  How wonderful this world would be if all nations would abound in mercy and truth.  May our hearts know His truth and our lives be tempered by His mercy.  Praise Him.

Why Does Thou Contend With Me?

"I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me."  Job 10:2.   Job was in "bitterness of soul."  Why was God contending with him?  Why does God contend with us?  Patience and joy must be learned.  These two vital ingredients of life are gained under fire.  God teaches us those lessons that give us character.  God contends with us so that we know that He is God.  He deals with us so that we might grow into His image.  We are being shaped for that which is better and more glorious.  Passing through the fire purifies.  The contentions of life are stepping stones to a transformation into godliness.  Tests help us to stand.  God wants us to endure.  His perfection is to be our perfection.  God places us in the midst of the battle.  We face the enemy, and God contends with us so that we might know victory rather than defeat.  God contends with us so that we might know that the end justifies the means.  God contends with us so that we might move from the valley to the mountain top.  God contends with us so that we might continue to be strong and fearless.  God contends with us because we are being molded into heavenly dwellers.

The Light of the World

"I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."  John 8:12.  The light given by Christ provides clarity.  We walk with purpose and meaning.  The light given by Christ provides surety.  We walk knowing that our path is marked.  It is a way that is certain, free of doubt.  The light given by Christ provides purity.  We walk free of stain and blot.  The light of Christ gives knowledge.  We walk in the understanding of God's holiness.  The light of Christ provides responsibility.  We walk knowing our duty.  The light of Christ fills us with fear.  We walk in the reverence of God ever mindful of His majesty.  The light of Christ surrounds us with hope.  We walk knowing that God sustains.  To walk in the light of Christ is to live--truly live. 

The Wealth of Poverty

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."  Proverbs 13:7.  Are we truly aware of the wealth that we have in Christ Jesus?  We, through Christ, are the heirs of promise.  We have God's amazing grace and abundant love bestowed upon us.  We are known as the sons of God.  And, yet, we who are truly blessed may not understand the wealth which we possess.  We sometimes grumble.  Remember the Israelites.  We sometimes doubt.  We sometimes fear.  We who are to be separated from the world still cling to the world.  We, who have died to the world, still hope to find happiness and satisfaction in the world.  And, when we find ourselves lacking the earthly wealth, we mourn our poverty.  We, the rich, may see ourselves as poor.  Our wealth is in the unseen.  "The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints"  (Ephesians 1:18) is indeed the wealth of poverty.

The God Who Renews

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."  Psalms 51:10.  David is pleading for forgiveness.  His heart had been corrupted.  His spirit had been defiled.  Sin does that.  Only God can create a clean heart and renew a right spitit.  We are to have hearts that are free from anger, malice, revenge, and hate.  Our spirit is to be free from wrath, filth, falsehood, and covetousness.  We are to have a heart  that is pure, clean, and holy.  We are to have a spirit that loves, forgives, and bestows mercy.  From the fountain of our heart and spirit flow our deeds.  A heart that is tainted will ere soon corrupt the soul.  A spotted spirit will drive one into remorse and guilt.  Hope and joy will be lost.  Purpose will be gone.  An unclean heart is an empty heart.  A wrong spirit wanders aimlessly.  God creates and renews all hearts that are open to Him.  Let us seek His cleanliness and renewal.  Indeed, it makes for a better life.