February 1, 2012

When it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. -G. K. Chesterton

The devil is not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we begin to lift up our hearts to God. -Jim Cymbala

Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God… -King David

Downcast.

Does that describe your world? Are you discouraged? May be even a little depressed? Has life gotten the best of you? Is there seemingly little or no hope?

The Hebrew word for downcast – shachach – means to be bowed over… weakened… despairing… brought low.

The Psalmist David knew what it meant to feel downcast in his heart and soul. Even after being anointed King, he ran for his life from Saul for many years. He dodged spears and lived in caves. In one of these dark moments he cried out, “My enemies are vigorous and strong; and many are those who hate me wrongfully.” (Psalm 38:19 NAS) At another point he was brutally honest about how he felt – “O God, My soul is cast down within me.” (Psalm 42:6 ESV)

But I love where David’s heart always goes in the midst of it all. He writes in Psalm 121:1-2 – “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD…” Looking to the hills was symbolic of lifting your concentration from the problem to the One who could help.

He goes on to proclaim the “why” behind the help from the LORD:

The LORD made heaven and earth.

The LORD doesn’t sleep.

The LORD is our keeper.

The LORD is our shade.

The LORD will keep us from all evil.

Notice the following New Testament verses:

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NAS)

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

What’s interesting is that when Jesus prayed, He “lifted up His eyes to heaven” (Matthew 14:19, John 14:41, John 17:1) The very Son of God knew where His help came from.

Let’s go back to David in Psalm 42. He discovers the depth of this truth in his own journey when he asks again, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? With a spirit of confident expectation he answers, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” (Psalm 42:11 ESV)

It’s time to lift up your face.

See the One whom the great Apostle Paul describes as…The blessed and only Sovereign… The King eternal… Immortal… Invisible… He who dwells in unapproachable light… The King of Kings… The Lord of Lords… The only God. (1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15-16 ESV)

And I’ll add… the One who “loves you with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3 ESV)

Look up. It will turn your life around.

January 26, 2012

To love God does not mean to meet His needs, but rather to delight in Him and to be captivated by His glorious power and grace, and to value Him above all other things on earth. -John Piper

After learning to love God (worship), learning to love others is the second purpose of your life. -Rick Warren

The true measure of loving God is to love him without measure. -Author Unknown

A dad walked by his young daughter’s bedroom and saw her playing on the floor surrounded by her dolls and stuffed animals. Crocodile tears were streaming down her face. Gently he asked her, “What’s wrong honey?” She looked up and whispered, “Dad, I love them…I love them…I love them. But they never love me back.”

The bedrock of Christianity hangs on the love of God toward you and me. As children we are taught that “God is love” (1 John 4:8ESV)… and that He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV)

In the Psalms alone, God’s “steadfast love” toward us is mentioned over 120 times. In fact, every one of the 26 verses of Psalm 136 uses the word steadfast, which in the Hebrew encompasses God’s never-ending grace, favor and mercy.

What’s interesting also is the emphasis the Bible puts on how we are to love God back.

In response to being asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus himself replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37 ESV)

That isn’t play! “All of your heart, soul and mind”.

Have you ever wondered what that really looks like? Especially to God?

How do we even attempt to love God like that?

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest expressions of our love for God is in our times of praise and worship. Jesus explained to the Samaritan woman at the well that true worshippers “worship the Father in spirit and in truth…” (John 4:23 ESV) However, notice the next phrase – “the Father is seeking such people to worship (love) him.” (vs. 23 ESV)

The inference of the Greek word for “seeking” is to intensely desire or crave. Our Father craves our worship…He desires time with us…He loves when we spend time in prayer with Him.

Jesus said we also show love to Him when we keep (obey) His commandments. (John 14:15)

Is it difficult to tell God, and express to Him, that we love Him? Oh yes! We often struggle because we feel distant, angry, cheated or even unworthy.

The Apostle John beautifully helps us understand “loving God” by writing, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1John 4:10 ESV). John continues with “We love, because he (God) first loved us.” (vs. 19 ESV) Loving Him starts by understanding more fully He loves us.

And each morning He pours out His love – full of grace, favor and mercy. And they fail not.

Let’s go back to the little girl and her dolls – does God ever look down and whisper, “I love them… I love them… I love them… But they never love me back”?

Right now – love Him back.

It will turn your life around.

January 18, 2012

Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. -J. I. Packer

Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you choose to make. -Rick Warren

Life is all about choices…

And you are defined by those choices.

Sometimes our choices involve the “good” verses the “bad”. And certainly there is a great degree of validity in that thinking. As the children of Israel prepared to settle into the Promised Land, Joshua exhorted them to “choose this day whom you will serve”, and then boldly declares, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 ESV) Joshua was choosing to make a strong commitment to serve the Lord God Jehovah rather than the false gods worshipped all around them.

At other times our choices involve the challenge of the “good” becoming the enemy of the “best”.

This principle is masterfully illustrated in Luke 10. Upon entering a village, Jesus is welcomed into the house of a woman named Martha. She has a sister "called Mary" who is also present. While attempting to do all of the right things as a hostess, Martha is at first distracted, and quickly becomes distraught. Her frustration spills out – all over Jesus – “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (vs. 40 ESV)

What’s interesting is the answer Jesus gives her – “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (vs. 41-42 ESV)

Mary had chosen the “good portion”. In the Greek, this phrase infers the excellent part as distinct from the whole. Mary had chosen the “best” over the “good”. And what exactly had Mary chosen?

She “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching” (vs. 39 ESV)

Mary had chosen to “be” rather than to “do” in that moment.

Too often we piously pronounce that we also would have made the “Mary” choice.

Would we? Do we? Or do the good things in our lives squeeze out the best?

Times in the “secret place” with our Father are often stolen by things that “must” be done. Unnecessary meetings. Errands to run. T. V. programs to watch. Too much time spent online – “surfing” the web – Facebook – Twitter.

Even commitments made at church.

I am reminded of a pastor I was working with who was leaving his home to go on weekly “visitation”. As he left his young son asked, “Dad, when are you going to visit us?” Ouch.

At the end of the day, life is all about choices. You even made a few “good” ones… “bad” ones… “ugly” ones… or the “best” ones… today.

The good news is that tomorrow is coming. A new day – with new opportunities.

Choose wisely.

It will turn your life around.

January 10, 2012

“Nothing can separate you from God’s love, absolutely nothing. God is enough for time, God is enough for eternity. God is enough!” -Hannah Whitall Smith

“In the darkest of nights cling to the assurance that God loves you… and you will experience that which you believe” -Basilea Schlink

What defines you? What one word encapsulates all of the plans you have for this year?

For some it’s achievements. For others it might be possessions… prestige… power.

God has a different perspective. What matters to Him most of all is love. In fact Jesus declared “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 ESV)

The word “love” is used in the English Standard Version of the Bible over 500 times. One of my favorites is found in Psalm 91, which is often referred to as the “Psalm of Protection”. In this Psalm, beautiful metaphors – shelter… shadow… fortress… refuge… shield…buckler… habitation… dwelling – are used to describe God’s awesome power and protection.

In verse 14 God tells us what’s behind His preservation and deliverance;

Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him…” (ESV)

In the original Hebrew, the term “holds fast” implies binding or adhering or clinging. When trouble, trials and temptations rise up to meet us, the core of what God declares as necessary for us to experience His safeguard and protection is to cling to Him in love.

This image is echoed by Jesus when answering the question of "What is the greatest commandment?” “He (Jesus) said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:37 ESV)

We have the capacity to love Him with our entire being for only one reason – because He first loved us. “In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us…” (1John 4:10 ESV)

When life’s not the way it’s supposed to be – when the wheels are coming off the bus – when nothing makes sense – cling to the Lord and rest assured of His “steadfast love” for you.

I also love the precept found in Romans 8 when the Apostle Paul asks this critical question; “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (vs. 35 ESV) Paul answers his own question in two parts:

He first declares that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (vs. 37 ESV) The very things that would seem to overwhelm us – trials… stress… money… danger… are actually opportunities for us to become conquerors – warriors full of His power and strength.

The waves that distress an ordinary swimmer produce great joy to a surfer trained to ride and conquer them.

Paul then declares that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (vs. 37-39 ESV)

The remarkable truth is that nothing can wedge itself between the undeserved, fathomless love of God and those who call Him Father. Nothing.

Hold fast to Him with all of your love.

It will turn your life around.

December 29

“Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“If you know that God loves you, you should never question a directive from Him. It will always be right and best. When He gives you a directive, you are not just to observe it, discuss it, or debate it. You are to obey it.” -Henry Blackaby

Jesus and His disciples had been invited to a wedding in Cana of Galilee where His mother was also a guest. The story in John chapter 2 begins with the dilemma of “when the wine ran out” (vs.3 ESV)

The servants came to Mary, Jesus’ mother, probably a bit panicked. To run out of wine at a wedding feast would be horrible embarrassment to the head of the house, and the blame would rest solely on the shoulders of the ones in charge of planning and preparation.

What’s interesting is Mary’s instructions to these servants – “Whatever He (Jesus) says to you, do it.” (vs. 5 NAS) The implication was that no matter what Jesus said – even if they didn’t understand it – even if they couldn’t see the outcome – they were to do it anyway!

There is no record to this point that Jesus had ever done a miracle. His mother simply knew her son’s character. She trusted Him. She knew Who He was, and that His very nature mandated that whatever He said to do, it would be good and right.

This year, as you work through your “New Year’s Resolution” list – to lose weight…spend more time with family…get organized…spend less…save more (all good things by the way), put something “life-changing” at the top of that list.

In this “new year”, resolve that whatever He (Jesus) says to you, you will do it!

Do what He says in your personal lives.

Do what He says in your homes – in your families.

Do what He says in the places where you work.

Too often, the thought that echoes through the corridors of our minds is, “How can I know what Jesus wants me to do? If I knew – I would do it!”

You can know. God has given us three wonderful gifts in this “following Christ” journey:

His Word. The Psalmist declares that “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 ESV) The Bible will clearly guide you as you “resolve” to do all that Jesus asks. Even Jesus, when faced with temptation, responded with “It is written…”

Spend some time in the gospels – in the “red letters” – the very words of Jesus. Soak in everything He spoke about grace…about forgiveness…about facing challenges…about a relationship with God the Father.

As those words take root in your heart and soul, resolve to follow His guidance, and whatever He says to you, do it.

Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit – our Helper – and promised that “He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV) In chapter 16 Jesus added “He (Holy Spirit) will guide you into all the truth” (vs. 13) Listen and hear what Jesus says to do through the whispers of His Spirit.

Other Believers. The great Apostle Paul reminded the Philippians “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things…” (Philippians 4:9 ESV) Again in 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul admonishes, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (ESV)

You are who you spend time with.

Each one of us need spiritual leaders and “coaches” in our lives from whom we hear and see and learn and receive guidance in doing what Jesus says. Resolve to get more Godly people speaking into your life this year.

In this New Year, make a resolution to soak in His Word…meditate and listen to His Holy Spirit…commune and fellowship with other Christians.

And whatever Jesus says to you – do it!!

It will turn your New Year – and your life – around.

December 22

“One of two things you must do; you must either receive Him or reject Him. You receive Him here and He will receive you there; you reject Him here and He will reject you there.” -D. L. Moody

Anna.

Rarely will you see her in a Christmas play. Out of the four Gospels, only Luke even mentions her story. An eighty-four year old widow. A prophetess who “never left the Temple area, worshipping night and day with her fastings and prayers.” (Luke 2:37 MSG).

Recently, I was struck by the last phrase in verse 38. Anna was praising God and talking about the child to all “who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem” (MSG)

Anna’s words resonated in the ears of every man and woman who, with a “spirit of expectation”, had been waiting for the One who would “break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor” (Isaiah 9:4). Her rejoicing reflected the foretelling of prophets some 700 years before. The Messiah would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The One anointed, and appointed, to preach the good news….to proclaim liberty to captives…to give sight to the blind…to lift up the down trodden (Isaiah 61:1, 2).

Anna’s message was abundantly clear…He had arrived – in a manger.

He was the root of Jesse.

The Rose of Sharon.

The unspeakable mystery was now fulfilled.

The Christ child who would change everything.

Emmanuel, “God with us” – becoming flesh and dwelling among us so that we might see the glory of the Son, full of grace and truth.

When Jesus was born, the skies erupted with the Glory of the Lord. The heavens were filled with a huge angelic choir, praising God, and singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14 ESV)

Luke proclaims that;

Angels adored.

Shepherds sang.

Wise men worshipped.

Why?

Because – He…had…come!

But then, in the midst of history fulfilled, John records words that shatter God’s gift of love. “He (Jesus) came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” (John 1:11 ESV)

What? How is that even possible? Seven-hundred years of expectancy fulfilled, and they reject the Promise? How do you reject the Son of God?

But they did.

There is good news however. John follows those words of deep despair with a declaration of heavenly hope. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12 ESV)

Throughout the annals of time, every man and woman has had to make this choice. Reject…or receive. There is no middle ground. No “hope so”, or “let’s wait and see”. A line has been drawn in the sand, and everyone must choose.

When facing his choice, the jailer in Acts 16 fell down before Paul and Silas and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas answered with amazing clarity, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:30-31 ESV)

Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross.

Born so that God could “reconcile us to Himself through Christ” (2Corinthians 5:18 NAS).

Born in sinless perfection so that He who “knew no sin” might become “sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (vs. 21)

Born in the “fullness of time” to “redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5 NAS)

Born to give all mankind the opportunity to receive Him and believe on His name.

Everyone can believe. Everyone can receive.

The Hope and Peace for which the whole world “waits expectantly” has arrived.

His name is Jesus – Wonderful Counselor – Mighty God – Prince of Peace.

He is the only reason for the Christmas season.

If you never have received this Gift of Love – make today the day.

The Christ child – God’s only Son – will turn your life around.

December 14

“If you’re sincerely seeking God, God will make His existence evident to you.” -William Lane Craig

A manger. The baby Jesus. Mary. Joseph. A star.

No Christmas play would be complete without the three wise men.

Matthew records the amazing story of the “Magi” who “after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea…arrived in Jerusalem…” (2:1 NASV) They asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.”

Bible scholars agree that these wise men may have traveled upwards of 800 miles – a journey that could have taken anywhere from several months, to 2 years. They believed the prophets who wrote “And you Bethlehem, land of Judah…out of you shall come forth a Ruler, who will Shepherd my people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6 NASV)

What’s interesting is that after the wise men’s interaction with Herod, Matthew makes a point to tell us that the “star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was.” (Matthew 2:9 NASV)

The phrase “went before them” in the original Greek actually means to “lead by going ahead of”. There was no “trying to find” the Christ child. No going house to house making inquiry. The star simply led them to “the house” where they “saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshipped Him…” (Matthew 2:11 NASV)

Throughout the Bible we are admonished to seek the Lord:

But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV)

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV)

You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, LORD, do I seek.’” (Psalm 27:8 ESV)

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;” (Isaiah 55:6 ESV)

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

If only we had a “star” to go before us and lead the way.

Good news! We do. Jesus promised in John 16 that He would send us a Helper. He called this person the “Spirit of truth” who “guides us into ALL the truth“ and will “declare to you the things that are to come.” (vs. 13 ESV)

Seek the Lord. Not blindly, or haphazardly, but under the guidance of the Holy Spirit – thinking…praying…meditating on His word.

This Christmas remember – wise men still seek Him…every day. Encounter Him. Fall down. Worship Him.

It will turn your life around.

December 7

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as an impossible situation.” -Chuck Swindoll

“I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” -Hudson Taylor

“Triumphant prayer is almost impossible where there is neglect of the study of the Word of God.” -R. A. Torrey

The impossible…

Have you ever found yourself in a circumstance or situation that seemed impossible? Even for God? Those times where nothing made sense, and even trusting God and His Word was difficult.

Mary faced the impossible – in a double dose. Gabriel came to her and proclaimed, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31 ESV)

No doubt she thought “no way”. Mary had never known a man. Mary asked the angel, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” (vs. 34)

Gabriel responded, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God.”

No doubt she was familiar with the prophecies, but still – the baby would be the promised Messiah? The Holy Son of God? “Come on…”

What’s interesting is that in several places, the Bible tells us that Mary “pondered” the words she had heard in her heart.

As a young Jewish girl, she would have certainly been very familiar with Hebrew scripture and the stories of “impossibilities”;

Abraham believing God when he was called to go out to a place of promise…not knowing where he was going.

Sarah conceiving in her old age knowing the God who promised was faithful.

Moses and the parting of the Red Sea.

Joshua watching the walls of Jericho come tumbling down.

Rahab, a prostitute, entering into the lineage of the Messiah.

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel. The stories must have flooded her mind and heart.

And of course the prophets foretelling that the Son of God would be born of a virgin.

As she pondered the recorded past of God’s power and presence, her heart must have come alive with what the angel Gabriel declared, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 ESV)

Her response reflects the heart attitude imperative for God to work the impossible. She said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38 ESV)

What’s impossible in your life today? Impossible that God can heal your body when the doctors give no hope? Impossible that God can restore a broken marriage devastated with infidelity? Impossible that God can bring the prodigal child back home? Impossible that you will ever see your hearts desires realized?

God takes great pleasure in turning your “impossibilities” into “possibilities”.

Ponder what God has done in the past. “Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me…” (Isaiah 46:9 NASV) Reflect on the stories recorded in the Bible. Remember the good things God has done for you. For your family. For your friends.

What God has done before – He will do again.

Watch God turn the impossible into the possible. It may take a miracle. That’s ok – He specializes in those.

And He will turn your life around.

December 1

“America was founded by people who believe that God is their Rock of safety.” -Ronald Reagan

“Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold? If He is, you don’t need to search any further for security.” -Elisabeth Elliott

Recently my niece asked her dad, my older brother Jimmy, to hike to the top of the Peaks of Otter with her and two of my sisters. Being an outdoor-kind-of-guy, he readily agreed. Of course, she failed to mention that the hike is well over a mile — almost straight up.

Being bull-strong, he easily made it to the top of the trail with his daughter. There they found a large rock outcropping overlooking the valley below. What’s interesting is the perspective he had from the pinnacle of that massive rock.

He shared that the rock is strong and secure. There is total peace and quiet at that altitude. The world becomes very small as you look down on it, and yet magnificent with a view that goes on for miles. Majestic — yet tranquil. In fact, they were so in awe, they lost track of time and had to walk back down the trail in the dark with only a small flashlight (oops).

Listening to the account of their adventure brought several verses to my mind:

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 ESV

Life isn’t fair. Often we become overwhelmed with the daily grind. Jesus calls it the “cares of the world” and warns that they can “choke out the good seed”. (Matthew 13:22) In those times, climb up onto the Rock…the LORD…your stronghold. The view from up there is totally different. Things that have the potential to overwhelm us appear much smaller from that height!

“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” Psalm 40:2 ESV

A miry bog. Wet, deep, heavy mud. The kind that will pull the boots right off your feet. The harder you struggle, the deeper you sink.

Quit straining. Like a toddler reaching up for the safety of his daddy’s arms, let your Heavenly Father take you by the hands, lift you out of the pit of destruction, and set your feet on the solid rock.

“…For they (God’s children following Moses) drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4 ESV

Spiritual thirst. God has put “eternity into man’s heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11ESV). Even psychology is now telling us that young children have a God-given desire to know a “transcendent” One. It is a thirst that can only be satisfied with the water that flows from the spiritual Rock – The Lord Jesus Christ.

Is your soul dry and parched? Do you thirst for something satisfying — something refreshing? Drink deeply — and drink often, from the Living Water.

And when your heart feels faint, reflect on this verse from a song sung by King David;

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 ESV

There is a Rock that is higher than your circumstances. Climb up onto it. Plant your feet firmly there. Drink deeply from the water that flows out of it.

It will turn your life around.

November 24

“This way of seeing our Father in everything makes life one long thanksgiving and gives a rest of heart, and, more than that, a gayety of spirit, that is unspeakable.” -Hannah Whitall Smith

“As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all his promises.” -David Wilkerson

“In Everything Give Thanks”.

A verse so familiar we recite it almost without thinking as an encouragement to one another in our everyday walk.

However, like a woodman’s axe, the reality of life has a way of splitting “everything” into opposing halves.

Good and bad.

Pleasure and pain.

Joys and sorrow.

The front half of the “everything” is easy. Thankful for the birth of a child. For great health. Family. A good job.

The backside of the “everything” is more difficult. The death of a loved one. Cancer. Divorce. A job lost. The empty chair at the head of the table from which dad said the Thanksgiving prayer just last year.

It’s hard to get our hearts and emotions around thanking God for the dark days, for pain, or overwhelming loss.

What’s interesting is that our Father does not ask us to. He asks us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to be thankful “in” the midst of those things.

Consider the life of Jeremiah. His autobiography recorded in Lamentations chapter 3 paints a dismal portrait of his journey.

Affliction. Darkness. Flesh wasting away. Broken bones. Bitterness. Hardship. Chains. Crooked paths. Bears. Lions. Arrows. Mocking. Rejection.

Reflecting on all of this, Jeremiah bemoans, “I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.” (Lamentations 3:20 NIV)

Too often, the tapestries of our own lives have the same threads woven through them.

But, in the midst of despair — Hope always emerges. Jeremiah calls to mind an eternal truth upon which all thanksgiving has its foundation… “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.” (vs. 22 ESV)

Every trial that enters your life comes through the doorway of the steadfast love of the Lord. It involves love that emanates from an eternally wise Father. “It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom…” (Jeremiah 10:12 ESV) Isaiah adds that the Lord of Hosts is “wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom” (Isaiah 28:29 ESV)

God is infinitely wise. His steadfast love endures forever. Separate truths…which are inseparable.

And they are truths that transform trials into thanksgiving.

When life is not the way it is supposed to be…when the wheels come off…when looking up is the only choice you have, because you are flat on your back…be thankful.

Be thankful that God is infinitely wise. Be thankful that His steadfast love never ceases and endures forever.

In the midst of everything — give thanks. It will turn your life around.

And your Thanksgiving.