Tag Archives: trust

Blessing

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Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9, MSG*

Our job is to bless. And we can only do this in the power of the Holy Spirit, as He enables us to follow Jesus’ example and commit our lives to the God who judges justly.

No victim mentality or martyred airs—living confident in God, with our hope securely in Him.

Peter says then people will wonder how we can carry on so well in life’s stress. When they ask the reason for our hope, we can gently tell them how Jesus sustains us.

Father, please help me fix my heart on You, live confident in You, and live to be a blessing.

I love the way John Waller articulates the choice between blessing and cursing in his song, “The Blessing.”

*The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

God is on the Job

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Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.
1 Peter 4:12-13, MSG*

Peter tells us to commit ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good (1 Peter 4:19). And our doing good is to be with a willing heart (1 Peter 5:2).

Instead of fighting—our own circumstances, God, others or ourselves—Peter says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6,7 NIV**)

Peter wrote to strengthen the persecuted believers, for their own sakes and so that the people around them would see Jesus in their behaviour and attitudes. We can apply what he says, the principles and the hope, to our daily stresses and relationships.

Father, help me remember daily to commit myself to You, to live in trust of Your hand on my life. Help me recognize You in my day, help me serve You with a willing heart. Help me treat others with the love You desire. Thank You for taking care of me. Your grace is amazing.

Songs like Bebo Norman‘s “I Will Lift My Eyes” help me pray and keep focused on trusting God.

*The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

**New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Let Go, Let God

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When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
1 Peter 2:23, NIV*

We may not be able to change our circumstances, but we can change our reactions to them.

The Apostle Peter tells us Jesus “entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” The Message says He was “content to let God set things right.”** That implies He trusted God to be willing and able to do so.

And in chapter 3 Peter tells us to live the same way.

Pain, tiredness, worry… whatever stresses me-I have a strong emotional response. Same with anything I dislike or think should be done differently. Control issues, I know. And who actually rules the universe? Let me think: not me!

So when things go wrong in my day, my agenda’s thrown off-course, someone chooses to do something at home or at church that’s not what I’d choose… if I’m tired or in pain… I’m to entrust myself to God who judges justly.

Not to lie down and play martyr. Or passively-aggressively sulk. (Who, me?) Actively, positively… trust God. Commit my way to Him.

Father, sometimes there’s pain. Or tiredness, fears or struggles. But if I can’t walk away, please protect me from making things worse. Give me Your peace. Help me know You’re with me and that You have a plan.

Help me trust You and live submitted to Your leading. Help me cooperate as You retrain my mind into healthier patterns. Thank You for Big Daddy Weave’s version of “Trust and Obey” on the radio this morning to cement the teaching. Help me keep it simple, LORD. Help me trust and obey.

Here’s our song for the week: “Trust and Obey,” from Big Daddy Weave.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

**The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Expectant

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Here is the man whose name is the Branch…. It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne.
Zechariah 6:12-13, NIV*

The prophet is told to have a crown made for Joshua the priest, and to say these words. And the crown is to be kept in the temple “as a memorial” (v.14)

I’m caught by this declaration and “memorial”. The people are to act in the present, but as a sign of expectation of a future event. They expect to see God act, and this is their sign of hope, their demonstration of faith. They have confidence in God’s plan.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy, the Branch who is building a temple of living stones, His followers.

We can be confident that God will act. The hard part is, there’s usually no guarantee how. Will He heal, or instead sustain grieving loved ones? Will He topple a corrupt regime, or strengthen the suffering? Provide a job, or give humility to visit the food bank?

I praise You, God, that You will display Your glory–Your character–for all to see. Don’t let us miss it because we’re looking for an answer You chose not to give. We may not understand You, but we can trust You.

Our song this week is Matt Redman‘s “You Never Let Go.”

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Defended

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‘And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
Zechariah 2:5, NIV*

God tells the prophet He will restore the city of Jerusalem. It won’t need protective walls, because God will be its surrounding wall and its glory within. What a picture of the loving relationship He wants to develop with each believer: His protection around us, His Spirit within.

Self-defence is prudent: don’t play in traffic, lock the doors at night, don’t pick up hitch-hikers. But defensiveness isn’t a healthy way to live.

A difficult person phones, or I meet conflict in a store or at church. I feel the walls go up. I’m in resistance mode. Defensive.

But God is the one guarding my way. Instead of scrambling and scrapping for control of my circumstances, I can pray, “You are my wall, my barrier. You are my glory within. Help me see what You’re doing and trust You. Help me cooperate with You.”

Sometimes in fighting the circumstances, I’ve been fighting God. Not smart. When I’m secure in trusting Him, instead of wasting energy in panic or speculation I can rely on His leading. And I can be quiet enough to hear Him.

LORD, thank You for Your promise to be my wall of fire and my glory within. Quiet me with Your presence, and help me take You at Your word.

This week’s song is Chris Tomlin’s “Everlasting God.”

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Be Still

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“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Psalm 46:10-11, NIV*

The Psalm opens with “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, NIV) From there, the writer expands on both the greatness of God and the magnitude of the trouble.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Or as the New American Standard Bible translates it, “Cease striving.” The context makes me think this “Be still” is addressed to the clamouring nations, but it also applies to the frantic Israelites.

Personally, I paraphrase it as “Stop fighting the universe.”

Be still… cease striving… stop fighting. Sounds good, but once we’re wound up we can’t stop. We’re like a toddler on overload who needs a loving parent to draw her into a big hug and whisper “shhh” against her hair.

Know that I am God…. When we’re still, we can see… experience… understand… learn that He is God.

How? By what He whispers to our hearts? By experiencing His presence? By seeing Him work in our circumstances? All this, and more.

Father, please calm our spirits. Still our souls until we can rest in You.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Let Don Francisco’s song, “Still Your Soul in Silence,” bless you today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QUd6XN1xbs

There’s a related post, “Be Still”, at the Moses Free Spirit Missionary Baptist Church Blog. Honest, I wrote mine on my own, and didn’t see this one until May 13/08! I guess the Spirit was whispering “be still” to a lot of us.

Another related post: Rest in God.

Another related post: Being Still.

Wait in Hope

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“But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7 (AMP)*

Micah writes this at a time when people are so corrupt that he says you can’t even trust your own friend or lover. Yet he looks ahead to the day God will forgive his people’s sin and restore them.

Wait for God. Not impatiently, arms folded, toes tapping. Not passively, resigned or wondering if He’ll really show up.

Hope in God. Not wish-hoping, like I hope it’s warm on the weekend. Expectantly anticipating, securely confident in Him. Actively putting our trust in Him, knowing He cannot fail.

Talk to God. Not complaining or blaming, although He understands if that’s how we start. But finish with praise. He doesn’t need to hear how wonderful He is, but we need to remind ourselves. When we’re looking at how big God is, our problems come into a better perspective and we can trust Him to look after us. We can worship.

Worship.

In the waiting.

If you can, take five minutes to listen to “In the Waiting,” by the group FFH. 

*Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

 

Our Good Shepherd

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He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
And he will be their peace.
Micah 5:4-5a (NIV)*

This seems to be one of those prophecies with different stages. Ultimately, Jesus will return. Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess to God. (Romans 14:11) The world will know He is LORD.

But today, He rules in Christians’ hearts and lives. He stands – a warrior who cannot be overcome – and shepherds us. He stands in strength, majesty and power. Despite our circumstances, our hearts can be secure – we can live securely – because He is shepherding us.

And He will be our peace.

Be our peace, Jesus, even in the storms. Nothing can separate us from You, and You’ll never abandon us. Strengthen our faith to trust You.

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.