Cling

[With this week's devotion (a repost from February, 2008), I wanted to let everyone know that I'm moved to take a little break from the weekly devotions. When I resume, the devotions may not be weekly, but God willing, they will continue. Prayers are welcome!]

“You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 (NASB)

I was standing at the sink the other day washing vegetables, my mind wandering through a series of “What ifs.” I’d been seeking direction on something and now that God had given it, I had to be sure that all the bases were covered. “Well, what if this happens?” and “What if that happens? Then what?”

My mind had no problem figuring out all the scenarios in which this would not work. As I handled the vegetables, gazing out the window from time to time, I could feel my peace leaving as I pondered this thing. And suddenly, one word breezed into my soul: cling.

I love that word. It holds such power. When I think of it, I picture God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, in the early days when Moses was still their leader. God in His grace was giving them instruction before they entered the Promised Land as to how to prosper and be a light to other nations. He told them, “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him” (Deut. 13:4).

Joshua was there that day and soon replaced Moses as Israel’s leader. He led them into the Promised Land, fought great battles with God’s divine help, and before he died, reminded Israel of that one word: “But you are to cling to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day” (Joshua 23:8). The word was also in the mind of David, Israel’s great king, when he said, “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8).

But things went awry with the nation of Israel; they weren’t prospering, because they weren’t clinging. By the days of the prophet Jeremiah, hundreds of years later, most of the tribes of Israel had been taken captive by Assyria as a result of sin against God. The ones remaining, the southern kingdom of Judah, were on the brink of captivity as well. Still, God in His grace sent them a prophet, Jeremiah, to try to turn them away from sin.

One day, God directed Jeremiah to buy a linen waistband and put it around his waist (Jeremiah 13:1). Next the Lord had him hide it in the crevice of a rock, then retrieve it again, only to find it ruined and worthless. It was a picture of God’s people who refused to listen to Him and as a result, had become as worthless as the waistband. “‘For as the waistband clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole household of Israel and the whole household of Judah cling to Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘that they might be for Me a people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they did not listen.’” The southern kingdom was taken captive by Babylon not long after.

God hasn’t changed. He still desires His people to cling to Him. When I heard the word in my head that day at the sink, I saw the image I always see when I’m reminded of it—my arms flung tight around the waist of the Father, no space between us. No space for doubt, no space for worry, no space for disobedience.

If I could only stay that way every moment of every day! Can we purpose together in our hearts and pray that when doubt comes, we will cling? When worry comes, we will cling. When other voices invade our heads and try to move us off course, including our own, we will forsake them and cling, listening to God’s voice alone. When the slightest temptation to sin comes, we will cling. There is no better place, no safer place, no other place where we can truly prosper than in His bosom. Clinging.

Father, may Your grace and strength be abundant in our lives, empowering us to keep the affirmations above. Help us to follow You and fear You, to keep Your commandments, to listen to Your voice, serve You, and cling to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I am the Bread of Life

For twenty-seven years I hungered for one thing or another. Growing up, I remember hungering for a two-parent family (my parents divorced when I was 4). Though my father didn’t live far away and was very much a part of my life, I wanted a mom and dad at home when I woke up. I wanted dinnertime together, and family vacations. In college and law school, I hungered for a career—and money. And once I had the career and the money, I longed to make partner—and more money. There was always something else, something more than I had, something that would cause me to be satisfied.

The “something else” came at twenty-seven, that which would satisfy, yet it was none of the things I’d had in view. The “something else” was Jesus.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). With Jesus, nothing is missing. I’ve been made whole. For what could I possibly hunger? I’ve been redeemed from the pit. I’m blessed with every spiritual blessing. I’m loved, forgiven, and protected. I don’t have to figure out my own life’s plan. As I submit my will to God’s, I’m assured that He will establish His plans and purposes for me. And I know that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Jesus is the bread of life. He’s the only One who can complete us. He’s the only One who can satisfy. He’s the only One who gives life. Do you have a hunger deep in your soul? Turn to the One who can fill it.

Jesus, You are the living bread that comes down out of heaven and gives eternal life. I praise You and thank You for coming to earth, for clothing Yourself in human flesh, and for dying for me, that I might live. Thank You that I need not hunger or thirst. Amen.

I am the Vine

Something Jesus said has been playing in my brain for weeks, looping over and over as if He recorded it on audio Himself:

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NASB).

This picture speaks volumes to me—Jesus as the ever-strong vine and me hanging on for dear life. The more I grow in Christ, the more I realize how utterly desperately I need Him. He is my life. He is my peace. He is my joy. He is my all.

As a fiction writer, I’ve learned He’s also my creativity. I had a deadline a couple of weeks ago to turn in edits for my manuscript, but I’d gotten stuck on the last chapter. I was supposed to rewrite it, but nothing was coming to me no matter how much I prayed. I received a one-week extension and said, “Okay God, clearly I can’t do this without You. If You don’t lead me, it won’t get written.” Two days later, words to the ending began to flow. I think God delights in confirming that truth: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”

But there’s another truth in that verse. When we’re abiding in Jesus, we bear much fruit. No matter what our personalities and moods are naturally, abiding in Christ means the fruit of the Spirit will be displayed in and through us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We’ll also bear fruit by doing good works. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Abiding in Jesus means we’re so connected to the Source that He is able to use us to accomplish His will in the earth, to His glory, honor, and praise.

Apart from Him we can do nothing. But what’s the flip side? With Him, all things are possible. Through Him, we can do all things!

Jesus, help me to abide always in You, to dwell richly with You. It is my heart’s desire to bear much fruit for the Kingdom. Be glorified in me. Amen.

Waiting on God

I came to a conclusion this weekend. As much as I would like it to be so, “waiting patiently on God” will never end this side of heaven. It seems as soon as I rejoice at seeing a prayer answered, something else is thrown out of reach and the prayers begin anew…and I’m waiting—again.

And actually, when I think about it, it’s not one thing after another. It’s several things overlapping one another, some taking years to play out, others weeks or months. But no matter the length of time, somehow it’s never easy.

Funny how God knew our flesh would find it hard. Thus, He reminds us over and over in His Word that it’s part of our walk with Him. “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14 NASB). “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken (Psalm 62:5-6).

But He does more than charge us to wait. He gives us promises to hang onto. Here are only a few: “The LORD favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness” (Psalm 147:11). “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him” (Lamentations 3:25). And I love that God “acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4).

As much as my flesh cries out when it’s forced to wait, my spirit rejoices. When I’m waiting, I’m praying more. I wake up seeking God and lie in bed at night pondering His ways. I search the Scriptures for answers. When I’m waiting, I’m keenly aware of my need for Him, that apart from Him I can do nothing.

Are you waiting on the Lord? I’m not here to tell you that it’s easy. But I’ve learned—yes, painfully at times—that one word goes hand in hand with waiting: TRUST.

Heavenly Father, give me strength and patience to wait patiently on You. Help me to trust You, knowing that my times are in Your hands, and that You are acting on my behalf as I wait. Thank You that even though I may fret, You are working all things together for good, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

On Eagles' Wings

In last week’s devotion, “In the Shadow of His Wings,” we saw God as a refuge and a hiding place. We can run to Him in times of trouble and despair—and in times of joy and peace!—and know that we have welcome shelter in the shadow of His protective wings.

We’re focusing on His wings again this week, but the preposition has changed. Instead of being in the shadow of His wings, we’re on the wings! Look at what God said to the people of Israel through Moses:

“’You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. Now, then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’” (Exodus 19:4-6).

Our God is an awesome God, full of power and might. He swooped down, rescued the people of Israel from the enemy camp, and brought them to Himself. Why would He display such strength on their behalf? The answer is simple—and beautiful. He did it so they would be His own possession.

The same display of strength is echoed on our behalf in Colossians 1:13: “For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son….” When we believe and are saved, it’s not our own doing. God swoops down, plucks us out of the enemy’s camp, and bears us on eagles’ wings to the kingdom of His Son.

And He doesn’t leave us once He saves us. Those same eagles’ wings are available to power us through this Christian walk. Isaiah tells us:

The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired…. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait on the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary” (40:28-31).

Did you see that? It says when we wait on God, we will “mount up with wings like eagles.” How do we do that? We are able to mount up because it’s God who’s bearing us. His Spirit is able to cause us to soar above the trials and tribulations we encounter. Are you weary or tired? Let the Lord bear you on eagles’ wings. Be ready to soar!

Heavenly Father, You are awesome in power, able to deliver. Thank You for delivering me from the enemy and transferring me to Your glorious kingdom. Help me to run to You whenever I have need. Thank You for bearing me on eagles’ wings and allowing me to soar by Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

In the Shadow of His Wings

The winds of life can come fierce and strong. Winds of disappointment. Winds of failure. Winds of frustration and sickness and fear and rejection. Whatever the problem, it demands our focus. And the more we focus on it, the more we’re carried away by it—carried away to anxiety, incessant worry, loneliness, and sadness.

But there is a place we can run to for refuge from the fierce winds of life—the shadow of God’s wings.

“Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,

For my soul takes refuge in You;

And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge,

Until destruction passes by.

I will cry to God Most High,

To God who accomplishes all things for me.

He will send from heaven and save me…” (Psalm 57:1-3 NASB).

I love this imagery so much that I’ve colored “shadow of His wings” and “shelter of His wings” everywhere it appears in the Psalms. Oh, and this one too from Psalm 91: “For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”

When the winds of life come, I like to picture myself snuggled up behind a wide, strong, majestic eagle’s wing—protected, out of harm’s way. In the shadow of His wings, I know I’m not alone. I’m tended to, cared for, nurtured, and loved. In the shadow of His wings, the wind can rage, but my focus is on the One who is able to rebuke the wind and make it calm (Mark 4:39).

Are the winds raging in your life? Crawl up and plant yourself in the shadow of His wings. You’ll find refuge there…and so much more.

Heavenly Father, David said, “Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings,” and that’s my prayer right now. In fact, Father, I don’t want to come only when the winds are raging. Help me to dwell in the shadow of Your wings each and every day, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living to Please God or Man?

Our family has had many talks around the dinner table over the years about peer pressure and doing what’s right no matter what others are doing. Years ago we’d even make up scenarios and role-play them, my husband and I acting the part of trying to tempt them to bad behavior. They always had the right response in those situations, but now that they’re older, they’ve seen that it’s not so easy to walk out. The inclination to go along, to please others, seems to go hand in hand with adolescence.

Funny—not much changes in adulthood. When we’re teaching our kids these lessons, we might as well be talking to ourselves too. Being a people-pleaser isn’t unique to being a teenager; it’s a desire of the flesh. The flesh wants to be liked. It wants to say things that are well-received and do things that don’t make waves—and we know that the truth of God’s Word has been known to make waves!

But we can’t please God in the flesh (Romans 8:8). We’re to die to the flesh and live by the Spirit, which means living to please God, not others. “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

I’ll bet most of us know this. Still, that tension creeps in from time to time—even in Christian relationships and in Christian ministry—where we have to ask ourselves, “Whom am I trying to please?” “Am I not speaking truth because someone won’t like it?” “Am I not taking a stand because I might end up standing alone?”

As long as we walk this earth in this flesh, we’ll be tempted to please man rather than God, but let’s pray hard not to yield to it. Only one Person died for us. Only One has set us free from sin and death. Jesus died that we might live—for Him.

Heavenly Father, I confess that I’m tempted at times to walk by the flesh and please man rather than You. Strengthen me, Father. Help me to live to please You and You alone, to be a bond-servant for Jesus Christ, in His name, Amen.