Living in Anticipation

Anticipation can be almost as good as the actual event or item we wait for. That’s one reason why we love the Christmas season. The extended period of joyful expectation is half of the fun.

Strangely, even when anticipations are tempered by doubt or fear—or when prospects appear negative—we fare better than when we live with no expectations. The things we anticipate give shape and meaning to daily events. They provide direction and purpose.

The Israelites lived in anticipation—they waited centuries for their Messiah. And while they waited, God spoke to them through the prophets. The book of Isaiah tells us, He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arms, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young. (Is. 40:11 NKJV)

Perhaps the Israelites failed to see the promises were with them all the time. When they walked in doubt or fear, God gave them hope. When they sinned and faced judgment, He directed their vision beyond their circumstances to the joy of receiving forgiveness. Walking in God’s promises requires trust. The Israelites needed to believe that He loved them and to anticipate that He would move in their lives.

Originally published December 11, 1992

Beauty for Ashes

The Christmas spirit is an elusive dream for many people. Perhaps they feel isolated from family and friends—or insecure because they do not know how to select presents. Perhaps they lack funds to pay for presents—or are overwhelmed by fatigue and bills. Whatever the cause, failure to experience the dream causes anxiety and stress.

Jesus didn’t come so we could strive after elusive dreams. He came to invade hearts—to penetrate our depths—to offer a revelation or vision of Him. And He brings peace and joy.

The prophet Isaiah had much to say about the Christ-child named Jesus who grew up to bring salvation to all people. According to Isaiah, He brings, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they [we] may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (Is. 61:3 NKJV)

Receiving the promises recorded by Isaiah might require rethinking our Christmas plans. If we belong to Jesus, we can stop striving after the elusive dream—and let a true vision from the Spirit of Jesus touch our spirits—because the Spirit of Jesus is the true spirit of Christmas.

Of course, major changes require adjustments, but that would be a small price to pay if it means exchanging beauty for ashes!

Originally published December 12, 1986.
Picture: Commercial display, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

He Works for Good

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. . . . Rom 8:28a KJV)

Some have used this verse to support the idea that every event or happening must be God’s will because it is for good. The verse does not say that. It says, all things work together for good.

Many evil things have happened in our fallen world—abuse, war, accidental death, crippling disease, distortion of personalities. None can be considered God’s handiwork. Human tragedy is never the will of God.

But the verse is a promise. When evil things do enter our lives—regardless of how difficult they may be—God can somehow bring them together so they work for our benefit if we look to Him and trust Him. They can even bring victory in the face of defeat or despair.

God is the great Creator. When tragedy strikes, He is at work—just as He is at work at any other time. No circumstance is so terrible that it is beyond His creative touch. He will even use it for good.

Originally published February 19, 1983.

Broken Pottery

When faced by impending conspiracy in his old age, David and those who stood with him had to escape in haste while the nation experienced turmoil. And after it was over, David mourned the death of his son Absalom, the man who had conceived and led the conspiracy. Overcome with sorrow, David said, I have become like broken pottery. (Ps. 31:12b NIV)

Broken pottery. Have you ever tried to mend broken pottery? Or could you drink with confidence from a cracked cup—even if held together by the finest adherent?

David was a broken indeed, and he gave voice to both his anguish and his hope. He cried, Let your face shine . . . save me in your unvailing love. (v. 16)

We can judge the man harshly, but God can do the impossible. He mended the pieces that made up David. He brought them together and filled them with a song of praise. Today we satisfy our spiritual thirst as we drink precious promises from David’s mended cup: How great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you, he wrote. [y]ou keep them safe. . . . (v. 19a,20b)

Originally published June 10, 1988.

Little by Little

Human nature wants instant success.

Sometimes God works that way in our behalf. The Bible tells of many occasions when individuals or nations were instantly delivered—set free—from terrible affliction or oppression.

But the Bible also tells us that sometimes God worked slowly—over a period of time. When the Israelites were about to conquer Canaan, God spoke through their leader Moses that they would not experience quick, painless victory. Rather, they would gradually dominate the people they conquered. He said, And he Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once. . . . (Deut. 7:2 2 NKJV)

Moses also said, [N]o one shall be able to stand against you. . . . (v. 24b)

The words must have been a shock to the Israelites. During their march toward Canaan, they won swift victories. Hearing from Moses that the future would be different surely challenged their mindset and their resolve, but the promise of ultimate victory was their goal. When they had trouble they could remember the promise and trust the God who gave the promise.

Originally published July 31, 1987.

Responding in the Flesh?

Sometimes people’s response to God is disappointing. That was so with Abraham’s grandson Jacob. While sleeping at Bethel, Jacob saw a ladder extending from earth to heaven with angels moving up and down. God spoke to Jacob in the dream—and blessed him by repeating the promises of Abraham. The land would be home for Jacob’s descendants—and they would be as numerous as the dust of the earth. . . . (Gen. 28:14b NKJV) Furthermore, God said, I am with you and will keep you. . . . (v. 15a)

Jacob knew the message came from God. He should have responded with gratitude and joy, but he didn’t. Although he set up an altar, his prayer was a bargain rather than a response of faith. He said, If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. (v. 20,21)

The interesting aspect of this is that God didn’t get angry. He understood. Jacob responded in the flesh because that was where he lived his daily life. It took years of God’s dealings with him before he would finally respond in obedience and faith.

Originally published May 8, 1992.

Abraham's Children

[I]t is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of promise. . . . (Rom. 9:8 NIV)

Scripture tells us Abraham had children. Not one child, but children. Isaac was born as a result of Abraham's faith and obedience, but there was also Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar. (Gen. 16) And after Sarah died, Abraham married Keturah who gave birth to six children. (Gen. 25) But only Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, was a child of promise. The other children were loved and they received gifts, but did not receive an inheritance.

This seems tragic when we focus on Ishmael and on the children of Keturah—until we remember no one receives the blessing of Abraham according to natural heritage. A spiritual heritage comes through faith. Even for those descended from Isaac.

Paul wrote, Consider Abraham: He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. (Gal. 3:6) Abraham was not righteous in and of himself. No one is. But Abraham believed the God who met with him and spoke to him. God asks the same of us. Then we become children of promise and then we receive our inheritance.

Originally published April 1, 1983.

Birds of Prey

God spoke to Abram in a vision: I am your shield, your very great reward. (Gen. 15:1 NIV) That sounds wonderful, but Abram was less than thrilled. He might have appreciated God as his shield, but in his world, children were a primary blessing. He and Sarah had none. He wanted a child and he said, O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless. . . . (v. 2)

God answered by again promising Abram that he would receive a son. He promised land, too. And Abram was so free in God’s presence that he asked how he could believe God was really speaking to him. God replied by instructing him to prepare a specific sacrifice.

Abraham followed the instructions, but then something strange happened: birds of prey came down on the carcasses. . . . (v. 11) In this tender moment of communion with God—of knowing God’s divine love and attention—Abraham was forced to deal with wild animals that threatened to destroy his offering. He drove them away. (v. 11)

Was it a test? A challenge? Later than night, God spoke to him in a dream—revealing the future of his descendants. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram. (v. 18)

We don't know why God deals with people the way He does. Abraham's experience with birds of prey might not have seemed as strange to him as it does it us. Abraham somehow knew God was with him.

We, also, somehow know God is sovereign and that He is with us. And like Abraham, we might experience strange events when God comes to us with His promises. Then, like Abraham, we're called to trust Him. And like Abraham, we stand against whatever threatens to destroy our relationship with this God who speaks and offers promieses.

Originally published March 9, 1984.

Picture: Oriental poppy, Patty's garden, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

"Because I Live . . ."

When Jesus prepared the disciples for His death, He tried to tell them about the Resurrection: [T]he world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live you also will live. (Jn. 14:19 NIV)

The disciples did not understand—just as we so often fail to understand God’s Word. But the promises are available nevertheless. They’re available to all who come to Him. We will see Jesus and we will rise from the dead.

Jesus’ promises can be especially helpful and comforting when observing occasions such as Memorial Day. Many people will visit graves of family members or beloved friends. We are reminded of death as the final foe—our point of separation from this world. Then we remember the promise of life after death from Jesus.

The Apostle Paul claimed life after death when he quoted Hosea, Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? (I Cor. 15:55)

Originally published May 27, 1983.

While Earth Remains

At this time of the year, people are acutely aware of the rhythm God built into the part of His creation we call earth. Especially people living in agricultural areas. Whether or not they respond to God, farmers plants their crops based on God’s promise to Noah: While earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. (Gen. 8:22 RSV)

God gave Noah and his family a rainbow as a sign—as promise to His creation on earth. And although everything from their former life was gone when they left the ark, the face of the ground was dry. (Gen. 8:13b)

It was a time of devastation and a time beginnings, but God gave them the promise of a future. While earth remains, they could enjoy and participate in God’s rhythm.

Originally published April 2, 1982.
Picture: Bleeding hearts, Patty's garden, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

A Picture of Salvation

The people of Noah’s time were wicked. So wicked the Bible says, the Lord was sorry that He made men on the earth. . . . (Gen 6:6a NKJV)

There was an exception. One man, the fellow named Noah, found grace . . . Noah walked with God. (Gen. 6:8a,9b) His story, found in the book of Genesis, provides an illustration of God’s salvation and protection.

Because Noah found grace, God provided a way of escape for him and his family. God directed Noah to build a houseboat of sorts, an ark that would be a place of refuge during a huge flood. And because Noah believed and obeyed God, he and his family were safe while the rest of the world experienced God’s judgment.

The family spent many days waiting inside the ark while it rained and then waiting inside even longer while the earth slowly dried. After the flood, when they finally emerged, Noah built an altar to the Lord. And God promised, I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake. . . . (Gen. 8:21b)

Originally published April 12, 1991.

God Remembered Noah

When God told Noah to do something, Noah obeyed. He built a huge ark. Some believe he worked on it for 120 years.

Even so, he must have felt queasy when he entered with his family and the animals—and when God shut the door behind them as they left behind the only world they knew. Then, the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifth days. (Gen. 7:24 NKJV) Until, finally, God remembered Noah.”(8:1)

Aren’t you glad God remembered? Promises can be a problem. Noah was familiar with people, and nothing is totally guaranteed when dealing with people. People are prone to forget or be irresponsible. But Noah knew God, too; God is faithful and He keeps His Word. Noah trusted God, and we can count on Him as well.

If we think God forgets promises it’s because we’re prone to forget promises ourselves. But God is not man, and He didn’t forsake Noah. When the water subsided, Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. (8:20)

Based on Thoughts originally published January 12, 1988, and February 26, 1993.