On the Way to Wonder

Psalm 42

“As the Deer”

Song by The Maranatha Singers

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee

You’re my friend
And You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee

         My friend went into the hospital for a routine operation last week but complications developed.  She was rushed to the ER for another operation and there was concern that a third operation might be needed.  All visitors were warned not to give her water no matter how hard she begged. And she did beg!  We are glad she did not need the third operation but the thirst was real for her and her cry for water touched our hearts.  One of the big sins among the tribes surviving in the deserts of Kenya was to know where water is and not tell a fellow traveler.

         David in Psalm 42 opens equating his longing to draw near God to a deer thirsty for the water that gives life.  Three times in the Psalm David asks of his soul why it is “downcast.”  Each times his solution is to refocus on God in the midst of the challenge because God is like water to the thirsty.

         W: water brings wellness to parched plants.

         A:  water arrests the dying process and revives the body.

         T:  water is a better solution for thirst than soda.

         E:  water returns energy to the soul.

         R:  water that flows like a river implies the ability for life to keep flowing.

         When we are downcast because of the challenges facing us, it is good to turn to God who is the water that brings life.  Think about God each time you drink water today.  Blessings.

Psalm 31:1-2

¹ In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
    do not let me ever be put to shame;
    in your righteousness deliver me.

² Incline your ear to me;
    rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
    a strong fortress to save me.

         King David wrote this psalm that cries out to God to be his refuge from the evil that is chasing him.  He needs a fortress, a place to hide and feel safe.  He believes God sees him and trusts that God will protect from the evil that would defeat him.  He ends by speaking to his heart,

^“24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
    all you who wait for the Lord.”

         I do not know the shadows casting fear and dread in your life.  Perhaps it is financial.  Perhaps it is concern for a wayward child.  Perhaps it is a seemingly unresolvable conflict.  Maybe disease or aging is the enemy.  Threats to our life and happiness take many forms, not just the political intrigue and conflict David found himself in.

         Knowing that God sees our lives and is as sturdy as a rock fortress, a strong barrier between us and the problem is so encouraging.  We do not know what tomorrow will bring but like David, we can encourage our hearts to be strong and courageous as we wait in prayer for the Lord to provide and help us resolve our dilemma.

         If you are not facing a problem today, then pray for a friend or pray for our country.  We can pray for those caught in earthquakes and wars.  God is a refuge and a strong fortress.  Blessings as you ponder this image.

¹⁹The sun will no more be your light by day,
    nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your God will be your glory.

Isaiah 60:19

         The prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament looks forward to eternity when everything will be made right.  He gives us the image of eternity being life in the presence of an everlasting light, our God.  Let’s think of different ways that we use “light” as an idiom:

• To be given the green light implies approval
• Light at the end of the tunnel implies a hopeful future
• Something is light years away implies impossiblility
• Out like a light implies going to sleep without worry, immediately
• To see the light implies understanding
• To throw light on a subject implies comprehension

These are but a few common English idioms.  The truths they point to comfort our souls in times of trouble as we turn to our God who is our “everlasting light.” 

         In Christ we do have God’s approval.

         We do face a hopeful future when all things will be made right.

         God is the God of the impossible.

         I can sleep at night in peace knowing God neither slumbers or sleeps.

         The Holy Spirit is my guide and advocate, shedding light on troubles.

         Perhaps you can think of a few light idioms of your own and how they deepen your understanding of a God who is the everlasting lighting in our lives. Here is a link to an uplifting song prayer about Jesus being light.  “Shine Jesus Shine.”

“The Lord is my Shepherd”

Psalm 23:1-6:  A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

         Times of trauma, change, and transition are times that drive us to emotional extremes.  We grieve at death and cling to promises of eternity.  We rejoice at marriage as the lives of everyone change.  Moves can unbalance us too.  The Old Testament gives us many images of God that we draw comfort from during times of transition.  The images based in a world we see, help us embrace a reality that we don’t understand.  As a chaplain, I have often sat at a bedside and read one of the most famous images of God found in Psalm 23.  The Lord is my Shepherd.

         We lived in Africa with people who were shepherds.  I could not tell a sheep from a goat so the people had great fun teaching me to milk animals in the dusk.  The shepherd could not stop the lion or snake from attacking but the person could place their body between the animal and danger.  The shepherd did not create rivers but directed the flocks in the right direction.  The shepherd tried to prevent wounds took the flocks to get “dip” to stop ticks.  The shepherd could not prevent the death of my husband forever but I am comforted knowing God walked with him, warding off unnecessary evils of disease, comforting him when he was thirsty, and being with him when I could not.  The shepherd does not prevent the realities of life but helps us on this journey of life.   I lack nothing – important – as I enter this new phase of widowhood.  I am not alone.  I have a shepherd and so do you!

“Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul” by Maranatha

Psalm 103 of David

Psalm 103:1-13 is our psalm for tomorrow.  How many reasons to praise God given by King David can you identify?  Paul ended Romans praising God.  What will you praise God for tomorrow?

¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
    his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

“Be strong and courageous.

 Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,

 for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

  Joshua 1:9”

         As I pondered where to meditate today having finished the Romans yesterday, my heart traveled to one of the favorite verses that I remember my husband loved, Joshua 1:9.  The people of Israel have finished their forty years in the desert, Moses has died and Joshua is stepping into leadership.  It is a time of transition and Joshua is facing a big challenge to step into Moses’ shoes and lead the people across the Jordon.  It is a bit coincidental that often the river Jordon is thought to be a symbol of death.  It is a bit coincidental that my husband has just passed and I am stepping into a solo leadership position.  Of course I have my children who are fantastic and adults but still it is a transition.  As I have said before we all face transitions of many kinds, not just death, and so this verse can speak to us today.  Perhaps you are just stepping into a new day and do not know what will confront you or perhaps you are facing moping up the mess of yesterday but in any case God commands Joshua, “be strong,” “be courageous,” “do not be afraid” and “do not be discouraged.”  The reason for hope and strength to face greif or whatever you face today is that God is with us “wherever” we go.   My heart goes to the modern rendition in Sister Act 1 of the song that reminds us nothing can keep us away from the love of God.

I don’t know what you face today but as you step into your future may you hold on to the promise that God is with you wherever you go.  Lord, help me keep my eyes of you!

         Movies used to end with “The End” scrolling across the screen.  Now it sometimes just goes to the credits.  We come to the end of the epistle or letter to the Romans believed to have been authored by Paul.  He is writing to introduce himself and his beliefs before an anticipated visit.  It is a very systematic presentation of the tenants of Christianity and a defense for its universal invitation to people of all tribes and countries.  Abraham believed God’s promises before Moses and Mosaic Law had even been given.  Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness before any actions.  Likewise we are justified by faith as a gift from a God who desires relationship and partnership with us.  It is a gift as all of us are sinners.  Can we write, “The End”?  Paul signs off his letter with these words,

²⁷ to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

         The end of the story is not about us and our getting to go to heaven.  The end of the story is about the glory to goes to God.  God is telling us his story and his desire as he has worked with his creation.  The end will be glory.  Plus there is the hint of eternity in the word “forever.”  We talk about what that might look like but we don’t know.  This is not “the end,” but only the beginning of another phase.  There is a sequel.  But we will only experience that sequel under the authorship of Jesus Christ.  We don’t know when that will come out but we do know it will and God will be glorified.

         Of course, endings are on my mind as I process the death and entrance of my husband into that next reality.  “Now” is so real with all its challenges but “then” is coming.  Let’s just spend a few moments thanking God for a future with a hope that unfolds to his glory!  Blessings.

         How do you sign your letters?  Formal letters often end with a “sincerely yours.”  Lover’s letters might end with x’s and o’s for hugs and kisses.  Paul is coming to the end of Romans.  He has commended Phoebe, his fellow worker and asked she be received well.  He has sent greetings.  Before the final signature he adds this one more encouragement, kind of like a “sincerely” comment.

“¹⁹ Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” (Romans 16:19)

         Paul encourages us to be wise about what is good and innocent about evil.  That feels dissonant with our culture today as I scroll through the movies available covering stories from angels and the heavenlies to zombies and our worst nightmare.  We can dabble in almost any topic we want and focus our minds and hearts in any direction.  So if we were to be wise in what is good, what would we focus on?  James 3:17-18 tells us,

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Pick one of those adjectives that describe wisdom from heaven and ponder what it might look like in your life today and then pray about it.  Lord, help me be “considerate” and realize others carry burdens of grief also and may need a smile!  Blessings.

16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. ² I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

Romans 16:1-2

         Romans 16 includes the closing remarks of Paul to the church in Rome.  We started our journey through Romans realizing that the historical church in Rome was probably multicultural, multilingual, working class and defining itself in the face of a dominant Roman culture that did not value it – not unlike our experiences with Christianity today.  Paul gives ones of the most systematic explanation and defense for the God of Christianity being THE God who created all and values all – justifying as a free gift of faith.  We do not need to do good works to deserve his love.

         Now Paul begins to close.  He commends Phoebe, a deacon, and gives her “props”.  It has been so overwhelming as soooo many people have sent in their loving comments for my husband this past week after his death.  So as I read Paul’s open affirmation of Phoebe that has come down through history to us today, I ponder if there is not someone whom we would commend.  Why not send a “just because” text of affirmation, commending that person, or letter, or even an unexpected hug if possible today.  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine!  Blessings as you remember how you have been blessed.

         We are nearing the end of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome that he hopes to visit. In Chapter 15 starting about verse 23, Paul starts laying out his plans for his trip.  He wants to head to new regions in Spain after visiting Rome but he must first go to Jerusalem to deliver a gift to the poor and needy.  In verse 30 Paul pleas,

³⁰ I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 

• ³¹ Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea
• and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, 
• ³² so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. 

³³ The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Romans 15:30-33

“Urge” is a strong word.  What does Paul want them to do?  Pray.  Pray for his safety, for success in his offering he carries, and for refreshment.  If you were to ask someone to pray for you today, what would you urge him or her to pray for?  Perhaps you could take a moment to name your top three priorities you would ask someone to pray for you.  But then, we have the privilege to going directly to God with our prayers.  Share your desires with a friend and share them with the God who cares about the dreams of your heart.  Blessings.