Buoyant joy or decline

Buoyant joy or decline

Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! – Psalms 85:10

Psalms 32:1-5

 1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.”

“An Affair to Remember” is a classic American romance film from 1957 starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. According to the American Film Institute, this timeless movie is considered one of the most romantic films ever.

The story follows Nickie Ferrante (Cary Grant) and Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr), who meet aboard the transatlantic ocean liner SS Constitution en route from Europe to New York. They fall in love and agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months.

However, tragedy strikes when Terry is hit by a car on her way to the rendezvous, leaving her gravely injured and unable to walk. Unaware of the accident, Nickie waits for her at the observation deck until midnight, believing she has rejected him.

Months later, they unexpectedly run into each other at the ballet. Nickie discovers Terry’s address and pays her a surprise visit on Christmas Eve. He mentions a painting he had been working on when they first met. He had since given it to a woman in a wheelchair who liked it but had no money. To his surprise, Nickie finds the painting hanging on Terry’s wall. The movie ends with the two in a tight embrace.

The Scriptures are replete with love affairs. One of the lesser-known ones is in Psalm 85. But this affair does not involve people. Instead, it is about the delightful qualities of unfailing love and truth and righteousness and peace.

Psalms 85:10 Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!

These four qualities are attributes of the Father and are personified as delightful couples engaged in a love affair. Steadfast love and faithfulness are partners, just as righteousness and peace are. These pairs meet, embrace, and kiss each other. Can you imagine the beautiful sight of love and faithfulness embracing or righteousness and peace sharing a kiss?

“Four of the most significant words in Hebrew are combined in verses 10 and 11, like jewels in a crown. Their totality of meaning embraces in large measure the fullness of the Old Testament concept of the relationship between God and his people when harmony has been established” (Tesh and Zorn).

These terms encompass a continuum of meanings that a single English word cannot fully express. The Hebrew word hesed is translated as love. Hesed has the connotation of loyal love. It is also translated as steadfast love, mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, or loyalty. It connotes love, vital for balanced relationships between individuals, such as spouses, parents and children, or close friends.  

Truth is often interpreted as faithfulness. Its core idea is being steadfast, reliable, and dependable. It involves the notions of loyalty, truth, trustworthiness, and reliability.

Righteousness is living in a morally right and just manner, per the Father’s standards. It is being fair and free from guilt.

Peace(shalom) denotes a state of tranquility or quietness, but it goes beyond the absence of conflict or war. Shalom refers to a complete, holistic sense of well-being and harmony within and among individuals. It’s a state where everything is as it should be – nothing is missing or broken. Shalom is characteristic a right relationship with God.

Shalom is realized when righteousness and peace meet and metaphorically embrace each other, akin to the warm embraces shared by people in the Middle East.

When in love, we are inspired to be our best and do our best for our beloved. Similarly, the Father’s love for us has given birth to redemption and the forgiveness of sins. These blessings are the offspring of the Father’s love for us, the children of the King.

REFLECT & PRAY

Psalms 85:10 highlights the profound importance of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace within the bond between God and the children of the King. 

Father You have invited us into a love affair, a love affair with You! May we feel Your embrace and enjoy Your kiss.

INSIGHT

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a widely accepted concept in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation.” Maslow’s five-tier model of human needs is physiological (food and clothing), safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

What produces joy in your life? What puts a smile on your face? Everyone enjoys different things, from personal achievements to natural beauty. One of our basic needs is to feel loved and to have a sense of belonging and well-being.  

For King David, however, his journey to discover love and joy took a different path. David found himself engulfed in despair and confusion. He was overwhelmed and lost after enduring humiliation, shame, and reproach due to his explicit, nefarious transgressions. This was new territory for David. He was uncertain how to proceed. How so? Heretofore, his life had been exemplary.

1 Kings 15:5 For David had done what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight and had obeyed the LORD’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.

He turned to prayer to seek guidance and relief. He acknowledged his despondent and depleted condition. The Father acted immediately and took away his guilt and shame. He was magnificently and thoroughly forgiven.

Psalm 32:3-5

 3 When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from groaning all day.

 4 For day and night, Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.

 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You took away the guilt of my sin.

Romans 4:8 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.

The Father is always willing to forgive and cleanse us of our impurities. We need only to ask. David learned this when he stopped hiding and pretending and confessed his wrongdoing to God. His loving, devoted Father gently lifted the heavy burden from David’s shoulders, exchanging it for joy.

Psalm 32:1-2

 1 How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven; whose sin is covered!

 2 How joyful is the man the LORD does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit!

 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

David’s emotional and physical unrest made him a physical and mental wreck. But now he experiences something unbelievably magnificent: all his torment has been exchanged for exuberant joy. His joy bursts forth into praise and worship. He wants everyone to hear and know what the Father has done for him. What a relief, what a release. It is senseless to attempt to hide and cover up our shortcomings, considering God is all-knowing. Such foolhardy efforts only hurt us.

David had played the fool by trying to hide and cover his sins. He had become physically and emotionally drained. “God does not permit his children to sin successfully” (Spurgeon). Sin leads to misery, while forgiveness and cleansing lead to joy.

Again, David shows the way and provides sagacious advice.

Psalms 32:9-11

 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

 10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

 11 So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all of you whose hearts are pure!

Buoyant joy or decline, the choice is yours.

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© Dr. H 2023

Looking beyond ∙

Looking beyond ∙

Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. – 2 Kings 6:17

2 Kings 6:15-17

 15 When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, troops, horses, and chariots were everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.

 16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”

 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Laurel and Hardy, iconic figures in the golden age of American cinema, became one of the most beloved comedy duos during the early Hollywood years. The lanky Stan Laurel and the more rotund Oliver Hardy were household names from the late 1920s to the mid-1940s, capturing hearts with their hilarious and captivating performances.

Their cinematic escapades often led them into a myriad of quirky predicaments with unforeseen outcomes. While Oliver was generally the more responsible of the two, he pointed a finger at Stan, exclaiming, “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into.” Accompanied by his signature disappointed and pouty expression, this catchphrase resonated with fans and made its way into over 15 of their films.

Children of the King often find themselves navigating challenging predicaments because of the choices they make. Life is filled with uncertainty. How do we make the best decisions? The Father gave us minds to observe, calculate, and use logic to think things through.

Yet, in the Father’s kingdom, there is much more.

Occasionally, clarity doesn’t spring from strenuous effort and perspiration but emerges through divine inspiration.

In the Father’s kingdom, the King’s children are guided more by faith, not by sight alone. Natural human sight is limited to the physical world that can be seen and observed. However, there are unseen realities that are not visible to the human eye.

Elisha and his servant found themselves in a tough place. They were surrounded by enemies intent on causing them harm. Humanly speaking, they were defenseless. They had no earthly means to resist. But Elisha was aware of something that his servant was not. He could see beyond the visible. Elisha could see the unseen. Elisha knew the Father had dispatched an army of angels to protect him and his servant. Heaven’s angelic army came in the power and authority of the Father, the commander of Heaven’s army. Before Heaven’s army, the Syrian forces were impotent.

Elisha, the prophet, was a seer. He could see the angels. Elisha was fearless because he saw with the eyes of faith. The angels were more than a match for the Syrian army. Elisha wanted his fearful servant to be able to see as he did. Elisha prayed that the eyes of his servant would be opened to see the unseen.

2 Kings 6:17 Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes, and him see!”

A whole new reality opened for his servant, one that can only be seen by the eyes of faith. The angelic armies had been there all along, yet they remained cloaked to the ordinary human eyes. Much remains invisible and thus hidden to those who do not look with eyes of faith.

“Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees” (Stanley).

REFLECT & PRAY

The capabilities of our physical eyes limit our earthly natural vision. In contrast, our spiritual vision has no limitations. With it, the eyes of our hearts are opened and receptive. They allow us to see the unseen.

Father so often I do not know what to do. I am limited in my human resources. Let me learn to tap into Your resources and walk by faith, not sight alone.

INSIGHT

Elisha was a servant leader and a man of faith. He routinely saw the unseen, things that were hidden from others. This extraordinary ability had landed him in the precarious situation of being encircled by adversaries. Aram, the king of Syria, was at war with Israel. He had drawn up secret plans for attack. Time and again, his covert strategies were foiled. His plans were thwarted. He was furious and decided there must be a spy within his ranks that was betraying him.

There was a spy, all right. But that spy was Elisha.

2 Kings 6:12 “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!”

Elisha had prophetic insight; he could see the unseen. He could discern what was hidden from others. Geographical distance and palace walls were not obstacles to him.

A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way (John C. Maxwell). A leader can translate vision into reality, faith into substance, and hope into conviction. While a boss issues orders. A true leader guides.

A boss – drives, a leader – leads. A leader is optimistic and upbeat. They radiate confidence and resilience. Challenges are not overlooked nor ignored; they are addressed and surmounted. Ultimately, a leader is defined by optimism, courage, foresight, planning, and implementation.

“The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been” (Henry Kissinger).

2 Corinthians 4:18 We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul’s unwavering trust and confidence in the Father’s promise and power rips away the veil of limited physical sight. The chasm between the visible and invisible, the temporary and the eternal, is seamlessly bridged by the lens of faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7 We walk by faith, not by sight

“If we think only of the things that are visible, we are bound to see life that way. But there is another way. The writer to the Hebrews said of Moses: ‘He persevered as though he saw him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27)” (Barclay).

Supernatural sight, that is, seeing the invisible, comes through faith in the One who is Himself invisible. It is a paradox. It cannot be validated through scientific experimentation.

Ephesians 1:18 I pray that eyes of your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called.

What do you see, enemies or the angels of Heaven’s army?

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© Dr. H 2023

Exceptional people ∙

Exceptional people ∙

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. – 1 Timothy 1:15

1 Timothy 1:12-16

 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,

 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.

 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

 15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all.

 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then, others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

David Halberstam’s well-known and well-used phrase, “The Best and The Brightest,” originated from the title of his 1972 book, The Best and The Brightest. It thoroughly examines the key figures within the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. The book effectively captures the mindsets and tendencies of these individuals, shedding light on the series of decisions that plunged the United States into the Vietnam War.

Halberstam delves into the perspectives and backgrounds of these American policymakers, exploring the factors that contributed to the United States’s involvement in Vietnam. He unravels their histories and backstories. What did they have in common? What drove them?

Halberstam describes them as “men that never failed.” They moved from major success to major success. Their achievements shaped their mindset and outlook. Because of their success, they could not recognize that their Vietnam policies were not working. Their string of accomplishments distanced them from the everyday American. They felt no need to keep the American public in the loop. Their overconfidence and hubris led to government secrecy and failed policies that have since become synonymous with the Vietnam War.

The “Dream Team” brought together by Kennedy and described by Halberstam was one of the best groups of high-level advisers that an American president has had. Nevertheless, they utterly failed to manage a war against a third-world state (genzconservative.com).

Regarding a similar group of individuals with remarkable ability and aptitude, John F. Kennedy once quipped at a dinner honoring Nobel Prize winners, “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”

On planet Earth, there are many times and places where the “best and brightest” rise to prominence and become successful. It is a natural pattern in the world. But in the Father’s kingdom, this is not so. The Father often selects very difficult, rebellious, defiant, and self-willed people to serve Him. He uses ordinary, flawed raw material to create delightful, devoted souls who desire nothing more than to serve Him faithfully.

Consider John the Apostle. In the Gospels, he and his brother James are called the “Sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). By nature, they were passionate, quick-tempered, and prone to acts of retaliation. They were fiery and demanding. When it came to love and compassion, they were more than a few bricks short of a full load. Their solution to a problem was markedly harsh, violent, and blunt.

Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and burn them up?”

But after a lifetime of walking with the Lord, John the Apostle came to be called the Apostle of Love. This was a remarkable transformation for an exceptional person, exceptionally irate, that is.

Paul the Apostle was also unique. He referred to himself as the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:12 – KJV). He was exceptional when it came to being a blasphemer, persecutor, and outrageously offensive, ruthless opponent. Before his conversion, he ravaged the church, entered house after house, dragged off men and women, and imprisoned them (Acts 8:3).

Unlike John, Paul’s transformation was remarkably abrupt. He had a very close encounter of the third kind with the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, which was nothing short of transformative. Paul was irreversibly altered, never the same again.

The Father uses exceptional people. Many are exceptionally bad people with challenging temperaments, attitudes, and pasts. Others are exceptionally ordinary people.

1 Corinthians 1:27-28

 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

REFLECT & PRAY

Whom does the Father select? He often chooses those who are strikingly ordinary or even notably flawed. The Father demonstrates His boundless compassion, love, mercy, and grace through these choices. He truly is wondrous and awe-inspiring.

Father as I ponder my life and recognize my inner, hidden life and insecure, ugly, vengeful thoughts, I can hardly imagine how You could possibly choose me to serve You. I stand in awe. Thank You for Your perfect patience.

INSIGHT

John was transformed from an angry son of thunder to the gentle, kind “Apostle of Love.” This occurred because of a lifetime of getting to know and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The grace of God turned the persecutor into a preacher and the murderer into a minister and a missionary! So dramatic was the change in Paul’s life that the Jerusalem church suspected that it was a trick, and they had a hard time accepting him (Acts 9:26-31)” (Wiersbe).

“No one persecuted the early Christian church more zealously than did Saul, and no one preached forgiveness more than Paul” (Stanley).

When we consider John and Paul, it is blatantly apparent that their salvation and selection for the Father’s service are totally undeserved and unmerited. The Father demonstrates remarkable grace, mercy, and kindness. He does so for every child of the King.

1 Timothy 1:15-16

 15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all.

 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then, others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

Regrettably, many children of the King become so discouraged that they feel they are the worst sinner ever. Not! However, in comparison, they cannot hold a candle to the apostle Paul.

Do you have a lamentable past? Rejoice; the Father is at work to transform you into an exceptional, devoted child of the King.

Philippians 2:13 God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

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© Dr. H 2023

Heuristic wisdom ∙

Heuristic wisdom ∙

Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding – Proverbs 14:33

Proverbs 2:2-11

 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.

 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.

 6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

 9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.

 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.

 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

How do we find our way through life? How do we make good choices? How do we discover and practice wisdom? One widely accepted approach in modern disciplines is heuristic analysis.

This technique is an approach to discovery that involves utilizing rules, educated guesses, or estimations to discover, learn, and solve problems. Solutions are not always perfect, but they are often entirely satisfactory for meeting needs. People rely on their instincts, testing ideas through trial and error, making intuitive jumps, or sometimes taking a leap of faith.

The English word heuristic derives from the Greek word heurisko,which means to find or discover. Such decision-making combines experience, knowledge, and blind luck with a touch of serendipity. Is there a superior method presented in the Scriptures? The answer is a resounding “Yes.” It all begins by acknowledging the Father and seeking guidance from Him.

Matthew 7:7-14

 7 Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

 13 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell and is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.

 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

How often have we experienced regret, remorse, humiliation, and embarrassment because of our folly? All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without the Father (Oswald Chambers).

How might we refine our decision-making by relying on the Father? The Father’s answer is simple: seek, acquire, and master wisdom.

There is a magnificent transformational truth, a blueprint for personal renewal and development, that the Father reveals to us. The quest and reception of wisdom lead to learning about and knowing the Father. As we get to know Him, we are able to enter into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. We cultivate a deep reverence for Him. This remarkable internal transformation of our hearts, mind, and spirit allows us to understand and internalize the Truth He has provided in the Word of God.

It is as though the activity of sincere seeking and finding unlocks the door of understanding that we never even knew existed. It’s as if this door was forever sealed. Except for a vague and gnawing feeling that there must be something more, there was no indication that the door was even there.

Proverbs 9:10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

The hearts and minds of children of the King may be wonderfully and delightfully shaped and fashioned and ultimately ruled by the wisdom that our Father graciously imparts (Proverbs 14:29-30, 33).

REFLECT & PRAY

So often, we make bad decisions that cost us deeply. We experience the unintended consequences of unrest and upheaval in our lives.

Father I seek You for wisdom and direction. Teach me to seek Your face each day. I need to make better decisions, experience less regret, and grow in wisdom.

INSIGHT

We often speak of wisdom, but what is it?

The Hebrew word translated as wisdom is chokma. Chokma originally referred to skilled craftsmen or workers. In time, chokma came to mean technical skill, experience, or shrewdness. Chokma is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. Wisdom is basically “skill for living.”

Wisdom is the ability to make sagacious use of knowledge in everyday life situations. Wisdom embodies the remarkable capacity to understand, discern, and make intuitively excellent decisions. Wisdom can be acquired by applying the mind to learning, comprehending, and applying the Word of God.

“A growing number of people in our world fail to seek God for His wisdom. Instead, they strive to satisfy their passions and desires without regard to their future or the consequences of their decisions.”

  • Seek the Father and ask Him. Take time to pray – but in your times of prayer, don’t do all the talking. Listen for the Father’s still, small voice.
  • Meditate on God’s Word – You will gain insight into the Father’s mind and heart.
  • Obey the principles of Scripture – Set your heart on obeying the Father, and He will teach you how to apply His truth in your life.
  • Remember the Father’s faithfulness – The Father has never failed to keep a single promise He has made.
  • Seek godly counsel – share your needs and fears with those who love the Father and you.
  • Associate with wise people – Choose your friends wisely and include the Father in every relationship. (Stanley)

Wisdom is more than knowledge. Knowledge is readily available from various sources. Not so wisdom. “If any man lacks wisdom, that is an entirely different matter. For it, he must go to the eternal Fountain of wisdom, and if he goes there, he will not be disappointed. God gives liberally, with an open hand . . .” (Alexander Ross).

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God.

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© Dr. H 2023

The inner joy of the Lord ∙

The inner joy of the Lord ∙

The joy of the Lord is your strength – Nehemiah 8:10

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 16 Always be joyful.

 17 Never stop praying.

 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Many of the challenges and demands of 21st-century life are beyond what previous generations could have imagined. How often do we hear the phrase, “It’s complicated?” Our schedules are full of activities and responsibilities. Consider those who are affectionately called “soccer moms.” In the “old days,” kids on local high school teams typically boarded a bus and drove 10 to 40 miles to a game. Nowadays, these dedicated mothers drive hundreds of miles to ensure their children can engage in sports. Remarkably, these committed mothers adeptly manage their schedules to make it all work. They have learned the art of time and life management.

It seems like everywhere we turn, we find an Overwhelmed Opal, Gloomy Gus, Anxious Ashley, or Doubting Dave. For them, life is more like watching an autopsy than being at a joyful celebration filled with happiness and hope.

Paul tells us how to be successful in both simple and complicated situations. Rather than telling us to try harder, Paul tells us to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him the center of our attention. How is this accomplished? We have to change our way of thinking. Rather than concentrating on our obligations and duties with concern, Paul offers an alternative to struggling. He provides three straightforward directives: be joyful, pray continuously, and give thanks always.

Instead of permitting life to overwhelm us, we accept each day as the Father’s will for us. We decide in advance to have a positive attitude characterized by faith and dependence upon Him. Then, we simply follow through. Over time, it may well become our standard practice and routine.

Pause for a moment and reflect. Can you imagine the Lord Jesus Christ being rushed or experiencing disappointment or sorrow because He failed to accomplish something?

Neither can I.

REFLECT & PRAY

When we look at everything around us, we can easily become overwhelmed. The tasks at hand can appear unmanageable, and time is too short. Increasing the amount of time we have available is not possible, but better time management is.

Father encourage me to focus on You, practicing joy and gratitude regardless of the circumstances, knowing that all things come through Your hands. It is all part of your well-thought-out, intelligent design for my life.

INSIGHT

Nehemiah 8:10 Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!

No matter how far we have fallen or what we have done, the Father always remains our strength and protection. The Father has provided something for each child of the King to sustain, undergird, and uplift them. It is like a supernatural, miraculous elixir. It is described in one simple word: joy. But it is not just any joy; it is “the joy of the Lord.” More precisely, it is the joy in the Lord. That is the joy that children of the King experience when they rejoice and delight in the Father’s presence.

Some have merely heard of this joy, a few have caught a fleeting glimpse, but others have quenched their thirst in the exquisite presence of the living Father God. How sweet it is.

The Hebrew word translated as strength is maoz. Maoz literallyreferred to a mountain stronghold or fortress. The word is most frequently translated as strength in the Old Testament. It “denotes a place to which one would flee in time of danger” (Barnes). “It means ‘bulwark’ or ‘protection.’ NJB translates the whole clause as ‘the joy of Yahweh is your stronghold.’ FRCL renders this: ‘The joy that comes from the Lord will give you strength.’ CEV restructures it to say, ‘he will make you happy and strong.’ [The Hebrew] proclaims ‘the joy of the LORD is the strength of you.’ . . .  ‘the joy of the LORD is your rock of protection’” (UBS).

Along with Psalm 46, this thought inspired Martin Luther’s hymn, “A mighty Fortress is our God.”

We can rejoice when we realize and understand that our omnipotent, omniscient Father orchestrates the events of our lives. The Father, using His boundless wisdom, has thought everything through. He exercises His power and authority to accomplish His purpose. He not only arranges our circumstances; He is with us in them. He is always with us and never leaves us.

Matthew 28:20 Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Paul is clear in the steps of action we are to take.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 16 Always be joyful.

 17 Never stop praying.

 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Prayer is spiritual breathing. Just as breathing is predominantly automatic and unconscious, regulated by the autonomic nervous system, prayer can be continuous and unceasing. It takes place without conscious effort. In the same way, we breathe air without ceasing; we can pray without ceasing. This type of prayer becomes an attitude of dependence and continual conversation.

Over time, some children of the King have mastered the art of spiritual breathing through determination and practice. They unconsciously pray without ceasing, turning to the Father for direction, guidance, and inner peace. This practice has become a joyful habit and an integral part of their lifestyle. They’ve learned to express gratitude not solely during favorable moments but also during challenging and demanding ones. They instinctively seek to glean the lessons the Father imparts in every circumstance they encounter.

Developing a spirit of gratitude should be the goal of every child of the King. We should develop a life practice of gratefulness. Instead of reacting to life’s fluctuations with questions, objections, or challenges, our initial response should be gratitude.

Sadly, we have all experienced the opposite. We know what it is like to complain, be discouraged, and feel irritated, frustrated, angry, and resentful. How often have we rehearsed and acted out the sad, melancholy script of lamenting and mourning how things are?

Instead, every child of the King should practice, practice, practice gratefulness.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

The choice is always before us.

Philippians 3:1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

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© Dr. H 2023