Psalm 87 – Spaces of Beauty, Grace, Prayer, and Mercy

Somersaults and Cartwheels

September 12, 2018 Jeff

Today is Wednesday, September 12, 2018. Day 22,098.

24 days until Galveston!!!

“Nobody believes the official spokesman… but everybody trusts an unidentified source.” ~ Ron Nesen, The Quotations Page

The word for today is reticulation, “a netlike formation, arrangement, or appearance; network.”

We have an extra Night of Worship this weekend, as we are doing another one up in Alvord (a short drive north for us). Our NoW host is working with them to help them get their own NoW started, so he will be doing three events with their church up there. I’m joining them for this one, but I don’t know about the other two, yet, as they aren’t scheduled. At any rate, we will be out two weekends in October, for our Galveston trip.

The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays, 7-2, for their 99th win of the year. With that win, they also became the first team to clinch a playoff appearance this year. They are guaranteed at least a Wild Card spot, but will likely win the division. The Yankees lost, so the Sox are nine games up, with a magic number of nine. Seventeen games left. They continue their series with the Blue Jays tonight.

The Rangers lost to the Angels, 1-0, to make their record 62-83.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

(From Where Your Treasure Is), Eugene H. Peterson

On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah.
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— “This one was born there,” they say.
And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her.
The LORD records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah.
Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”
Psalm 87

When Eugene Peterson made his first trip to Jerusalem, he arrived just in time to make it to the “Western Wall” by sundown, the beginning of their Sabbath. “A few stones in the lower part of the Wall are all that remain of the biblical temple complex.”

He makes note that most “holy places” are wonders of architecture. “Gothic cathedrals, Hindu temples, Buddhist shrines, Muslim mosques.” But this most holy place in Jerusalem is not splendid. It is, he says, “a featureless expanse of stone.” But, you see, when we seek a mother, we are not seeking beauty or entertainment. “We simply want to be at the source. Mother Zion. The place of birth.”

As Sabbath began, Peterson observed a group of about 300 young rabbinic students “singing and dancing at the place of prayer.” He experienced a deep intensity of emotion. He was at a holy place on a holy day in a holy city. “And the throngs of holy people – every race visible, numerous languages audible. It all came into physical and vocal expression for me in the dancing and chanting young men.” As he observed, the last sentence of Psalm 87 was suddenly in his mind. “Singers and dancers alike say, ‘All my springs are in you.'”

“Song and dance are the result of an excess of energy.” When we feel normal we talk and walk. At the time of dying, we rarely have more then enough for a whisper or a shuffle. But we have more than we can contain, we sing, we dance. Where does this excess energy come from? Peterson says that it comes from within us. “The place of worship, the place of preaching, the place of prayer, the place of politics. The place that God established for revelation and rule. . . . where things get started, the place of wellsprings, the deep, unstoppable source of new life pushing up through strata of sin and indifference and stupidity and then bursting into fountains of song and dance. Praise somersaults. Obedience cartwheels. ‘I skip a grace rope to a Christ tune.'”

Father, as I continue to ponder that I am “unself-made,” may I know this deep in my soul. I pray for the excess energy that Peterson speaks of, that I might, indeed, do cartwheels and somersaults. At least spiritual ones. I could never do a cartwheel, physically, even when I was in the best shape. But spiritually, soak my soul in you that I might “skip a grace rope to a Christ tune.” May I have joy in the new birth, and be able to recognize that same joy in others, encouraging them to express their praise and joy to you. All my springs are in you!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Grace and peace, friends.

Born Into A City

“The newborn of Psalm 87 do not run away from the city to pursue God in private, they stream into it where they become participants in its government.”

September 9, 2018 Jeff

Today is Sunday, September 9, 2018. Day 22,095.

“Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.” ~ Cyril Connolly, 1903-1974, The Quotations Page

The word for today is wanderlust, “strong longing for or impulse toward wandering.” I also associate it with a strong desire to travel the world.

At one point, yesterday, we had decided to not go to C’s company picnic, as it was still raining, and the rain was not projected to stop until 7:00 PM or later. But then C commented about the spectacular deal that we could get on season passes for next year, only good yesterday, and only available at the picnic. So we went. We actually rode two rides, and didn’t get totally soaked. Most of the rides were closed. There were no roller coasters open, as they are susceptible to lightning strikes (I don’t recall seeing any lightning or hearing any thunder while we were there . . . just rain). We went on over to the picnic area and got our meal, which was, of course, barbecue. You see, it is nearly impossible to have a catered meal in Texas and it not be barbecue. Anyway, it was as good as one could expect from a meal catered by Six Flags. We were handed our coupons to get the season passes on the way into the pavilion, and C actually managed to get an extra one. Each coupon was good for two season passes at $34.99! $34.99 for a season pass that includes Hurricane Harbor, and if activated before the end of this year, automatically upgrades to have free parking. We can also use them for the remainder of 2018, which means we could, if we so desire, go to Holiday in the Park at Christmas time.

That, my friends, is why we went to a picnic in the rain.

And, and C took my picture. As you can see, there was hardly anyone else in the park.

We saw at least one church group there. I really feel sorry for anyone that had planned this as a special trip for the weekend. I especially feel sorry for anyone who paid full price for a ticket. But, truly . . . surely no one ever pays full price for a Six Flags ticket, right?? There are discounts everywhere for those!

The Red Sox lost another game to the Astros, 5-3. Hopefully, they can salvage a win today. I heard an announcer say that Houston had won the season series with the Sox. They are 97-46 on the season. The Yankees beat Seattle again, so the Sox are 7.5 games up in the AL East, and the magic number is still thirteen, with only nineteen games left.

The Rangers lost a close one to the Athletics, 8-6, after having tied the game in late innings. They are 61-81 on the season, 28 games out, in last place.

We are getting ready for our worship gathering, this morning. We worship with The Exchange Church, which meets at the Northpark YMCA, at 9100 N. Beach Street, in Fort Worth. Our worship gathering begins at 10:15.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

(From Where Your Treasure Is), Eugene H. Peterson

I’m still in chapter two, “Unself-Made.”

Peterson points out that, significantly, these births are proclaimed in the city. Yes, it is Zion, the “city of God,” but it still a city.

“We must ponder God’s love of the city, for there has been a great split in Christian consciousness between our personal identity as people of faith and our political responsibility as citizens in the nations.” And, as I read and type these words, my own conscience is pricked, because I have moved a great deal in that very direction in the last decade or so. “We delight in new birth but become jaded with adult life.” We coo over the newborn, but ignore the drunk next to us on a crowded bus. “We love to welcome converts but grumble mightily about the government that we live under, both in the nations and in the church.” Ouch.

And what is the one major thing that managed to derail the proposed merger between our two churches last month? Government. A handful of people at FBC Smithfield didn’t like that The Exchange is an elder-led church.

A large group of the Christian community is in danger of completely losing our sense of citizenship, and only wanting to keep our sense of new birth in Christ. We are caught up in the “not of this world” syndrome. While it is true that we are, indeed, “not of this world,” we still have to live in it, and Scripture knows nothing of this split.

“The newborn of Psalm 87 do not run away from the city to pursue God in private, they stream into it where they become participants in its government.” The newborn enter the city, not the country. We long for the country, where we don’t have to “rub shoulders with people who are not congenial to us nor depend on the services of people who complicate our lives.” We don’t want to be involved in city affairs. But we must be, if we are to follow God’s plan for His people. And we must act responsibly within it.

The city mentioned in Psalm 87 is “the city as God is working his purposes in it and as God’s glory radiates from it, but an actual city all the same, a city of church and culture, of worship and weather.” And it is worth noting that, twice, the city is called “her.” The city is “a mother who gives birth to international progeny.” But it is also a physical location. There.

“Spiritual birth lands us in a physical city.” When we pray Psalm 87, we develop a “conscious commitment to the public good” and we are aided in seeing “the world of politics as biblical, not alien, ground.”

This is challenging stuff, but I believe that Peterson speaks the truth. This doesn’t mean that I will be running off to any political rallies, but it is certainly challenging the way I think, and it will challenge the way I pray, going forward.

Father, I pray that You would make me more cognizant of the arena of citizenship in this city, this state, this country, and the world. I confess that I have fallen prey to the idea that I am not of this world, and, therefore, do not have to be part of its politics. I have attempted to privatize my own prayers. Draw me back into community, Lord, as I move forward in Your Kingdom.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Grace and peace, friends.

God-Made

September 8, 2018 Jeff

Today is Saturday, September 8, 2018. Day 22,094.

28 days until Galveston!!

“I’ve never known any trouble than an hour’s reading didn’t assuage.” Arthur Schopenhauer, 1788-1860, BrainyQuote

The word for today is periphrasis, “use of a longer phrasing in place of a possible shorter form of expression.” A perfect example of this is the phrase, “at this point in time,” instead of “now.”

The best news about yesterday was that we didn’t have to work overtime. Quite rare for a Friday. We had more rain on the trip home, and then later in the evening as well. C stopped at Freebirds to pick up dinner for the three of us, and got caught in some pretty heavy rain. Looking at the next ten days, there is at least a 40% chance of rain every single day, and most of those days are 70% or higher. Gonna be a wet September.

The Red Sox lost to the Astros, 6-3. David Price was almost flawless for most of six innings, but then the bullpen came in and promptly gave up six runs. Oh, well. Stuff happens. On to the next game. Their record is 97-45, and they are 8.5 up on the Yankees in the AL East. Their magic number is 13, with 20 games left.

The Rangers lost to the Athletics, 8-4. The A’s are making a bid for the AL West, but the ‘Stros have won six games in a row. The Rangers are at 61-80, 27 games out in the AL West, last place. 21 games left.

The Orioles have lost 100 games. And Buck Showalter still has a job.

A couple of the weather forecasts show the rain letting up today around 3:00-4:00 PM. So we plan to head to Six Flags for C’s company picnic at about 3:00. Or rather, we plan to arrive about that time. We’ll meet up with her people, have our meal, and then, if weather permits, walk around and try some rides. The park closes at 8:00 tonight, but we could still have some fun.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

(From Where Your Treasure Is), Eugene H. Peterson

We hear the phrase “born again” a lot. Perhaps not today as much as in the seventies and eighties, when it became popular. But in truth, that is what the Psalmist is referring to. The people mentioned have been “born in the faith that draws them to worship in Jerusalem.” The heard the faith of the Jews preached during their feast days, which they faithfully observed, even when in a country foreign to them.

Jerusalem becomes important, “not as a political capital or as a cultural mecca, but as a birth place.” Peterson makes note of the fact that the Septuagint mistranslates verse 5 and renders it “O Mother Zion.” Indeed, a mistranslation, but manages to capture the spirit of what is being said.

A few hundred years later, Jesus would draw from this psalm in his “late-night conversation with Nicodemus.” “You must be born again,” said Jesus, in John 3:7. You must be born anew. You must be born from above. Both Jesus and Nicodemus had surely prayed or sung this Psalm dozens of times.

But, more than likely, as happens so often with us, Nicodemus probably got into a habit of piously repeating the words, not truly being “in” the prayer at the moment. “Now, talking with Jesus, he was.”

We’ve talked about the marvel of physical birth. How from the same event, both joy and pain come. Spiritual birth is similar. Both are miraculous. “in contemplating either or both we reach our source: we find that we are not self-made but God-made.”

Father, I do not presume to think myself “self-made.” I’m not sure that has ever been a struggle for me, but there may have been instances where I gave myself too much credit for accomplishments. Nevertheless, I pray for humility in this area. Let me not think of myself as self-made, but as “God-made.” You have made me. You made me what I am, put me where I am, gave me what I have. There is nothing that I have that I can call my own, excepting my sin. And that, I would freely relinquish to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

Grace and peace, friends.

Peace

May 4, 2018 Jeff

Today is Friday, May 4. Happy Star Wars Day! (May the fourth be with you.) Day 21,967.

Nine days until Mother’s Day!

Arnold Bennett (not his birthday) said, “Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your permission.” BrainyQuote
I chose this quote because of the similarity to one of my favorite statements by Dallas Willard. “The ultimate freedom we have as individuals is the power to select what we will allow or require our minds to dwell upon and think about.” (Life Without Lack) This is true. We often don’t want to admit it, because it’s easier to simply let a thought run amok in our mind. But we have the power to stop that.

The word for today is sith. This is actually a real word. It can be an adverb, conjunction, or preposition, and it means, “since.” It has been found in usage as early as the fifteenth century.

C made it safely to New York, yesterday, after some “getting to the airport drama.” There was a major crash right at the exit she needed to take to get to the airport, and she was in standstill traffic for at least a half hour. She wound up having to park at the terminal instead of in remote parking. But she got there, and made it to Syracuse at around 1:45 PM CDT.

She texted me scores for her first two games, but I was asleep before she finished her third game. She should be able to get some good rest today, as they do not bowl until 10:45 (EDT) tonight! AND they have to bowl six games tonight! She won’t be finished with bowling until around 2:00 AM EDT! Then she has to catch an early flight back tomorrow morning. We’re supposed to go to the Rangers/Red Sox game tomorrow night, but I have my doubts that she will feel like going. We’ll see how much rest she is able to get on the plane back.

Speaking of Rangers and Red Sox, I almost would rather not. The Rangers beat up on the Sox pretty badly. Final score 11-5 Rangers. David Price was not on point, and the Sox . . . well, they’re habits at the plate have become rather messy. To illustrate, it took Mike Minor only five pitches to retire the side in the first inning. The first two batters swung at the first pitch, making easy outs. The third batter took two balls, then swung, making the third out. I’ve been noticing a lot of this first-pitch swinging, lately, almost as if they are desperate to get a hit. At least I can be happy that the Rangers won. It’s tough when your two favorite teams play each other.

The good thing, too, is that the D-backs also lost. But the Yankees won, so they are only one game behind the Sox. The Sox maintain the best record in MLB by one game. The series in Texas continues tonight.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.
On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah.
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— “This one was born there,” they say.
And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her.
The LORD records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah.
Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”
Psalm 87

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

This is a popular passage to memorize. I have had this one “hidden in my heart” for decades, and even in several different translations. It is also much more difficult to accomplish than to memorize. It’s easy to memorize. I even once learned a cute melody to sing the verses to. But to trust in the Lord with all your heart? That’s a totally different matter.

We like to lean on our own understanding. We like the illusion that we are in control, in charge. But, if the truth be told, we are not. We are not in control; we are not in charge. Sure, we all have our own little “kingdoms.” Dallas Willard defines a kingdom as our immediate sphere of influence. For some of us that sphere is a lot smaller than others. But, in the big picture, I am not in charge; I am not in control. And when I lean on my own understanding, I get myself in lots of trouble, and my path is most definitely NOT straight.

There are many things in this life that I do not, and will never, understand. That’s okay. If I am trusting in the Lord (“trust” is one definition of “faith”), then I don’t have to understand. If I am trusting him, I will not worry about things. Again, easier said than done, but he is drawing me in, leading me along. One of my other memory verses is Psalm 16:11. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Give that verse another read.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Fullness of joy. Pleasures forevermore. How could we not be drawn in by those promises??

Yet we forget. We start leaning on our own understanding. And we worry and fret about things our Father has firmly in hand. Again, in the words of Dallas Willard, if we are obeying Proverbs 3:5-6, “this world is a perfectly safe place for us to be.”

In the words of Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7

Father, these promises of peace, fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore are desirable to me. I desire your peace in my life. You have been showing me this peace, of late, and I am grateful for this. Keep showing me; keep teaching me. Keep showing me this path of life as I try to make my way on this earth. Help me to walk in, and stay in, the easy yoke of Jesus. Give me this peace that passes all understanding.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16

Grace and peace, friends.

Ample Leisure

June 25, 2016 Jeff

“You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
(BrainyQuote)

The word of the day, from Dictionary.com is encephalon, which means, simply, the brain.

Today is Global Beatles Day. “It was in the year 1960, on a foggy island found Nor-Norwest of Spain that music history changed forever.” Goo goo g’joob.

C is over at her step-dad’s this morning, helping them get the move going. The movers were supposed to be there around 8:30-9:00, I believe. At this point she’s not sure if she is going to the new place with them. She spent several hours over there helping pack, yesterday afternoon. I’ll be doing the grocery shopping after I finish this, and probably fold some laundry and stuff. Exciting, huh?

Last night’s baseball game between the Rangers and Red Sox was much more exciting than I expected. For most of the game, it was pretty much what I did expect, as the Rangers jumped all over David Price for seven runs in four innings. That would be all for the Rangers. Hanley Ramirez popped a two run home run in the fourth to get the Sox on the board. Jackie Bradley, Jr. went yard in the sixth for two runs. They went into the ninth inning with the score 7-4, Rangers. Then the unbelievable happened. JBJ walked. Bryce Brentz struck out. Travis Shaw popped out. Two down. Sandy Leon, pinch hitting, hit a double, scoring JBJ. 7-5. Pitching change. Matt Bush came in, and promptly gave up a two run home run, Mookie Betts batting. 7-7. Dustin Pedroia walked. Xander Bogart singled, sending Pedie to third. And then . . . Bush threw a wild pitch, Pedroia scored the go ahead run. 8-7 Red Sox. Ortiz hit a fly ball to Mazara, ending their half of the ninth. Koji Uehara came in and struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth. Red Sox win, 8-7.

Tonight, they play again, with knuckler Steven Wright going against A.J. Griffin, just activated off of the DL.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

(From Praying With the Psalms)

On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah.
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— “This one was born there,” they say.
And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her.
The LORD records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah.
Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”
Psalm 87

When we discover our origins and identity in the acts of God instead of those of our parents, we experience new birth. “We are much more apt to find out who we are in a place of worship than by examining a birth certificate or citizenship paper.”

“I celebrate my origins in you, O God. You fashioned me in love and destined me to eternal life. In all my words and acts may I reflect that love and demonstrate that life, both enjoying and glorifying your name, according to your plan in Jesus Christ. Amen.”

(From My Utmost For His Highest)

Receiving One’s Self in the Fires of Sorrow

Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
John 12:27-28

What is our attitude toward sorrow and difficulty in life? It should not be to seek that they be prevented (of course, neither should we seek sorrow out, intentionally), but that God would preserve the self that he has created us to be through the fires of sorrow. Jesus was not saved “from the hour, but out of the hour.”

We often claim that there should be no sorrow. But sorrow is. It is certainly one of the biggest facts of life. And we should not say that God has made a mistake by allowing it. The thing about sorrow and suffering is that they either give me my self or destroy it. “The way to find your self is in the fires of sorrow.”

“You always know the man who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, you are certain you can go to him in trouble and find that he has ample leisure for you.”

Father, have I found my self in these “fires of sorrow?” I can’t say for sure. But I pray for it to be so. Not for myself or for my own benefit, but more so I could be that one to whom others can go in their own trouble and find that I have ample leisure for them. I pray to be a benefit to the souls of others.

Come, Lord Jesus!

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Grace and peace, friends.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus and Off of Your “Waves and Billows”

August 26, 2012 Jeff

Good morning. It’s Sunday, August 26, 2012. Today is “National Dog Day.” Be nice to your dog today. If you don’t have one, be nice to someone else’s dog. If you hate dogs, well…I just can’t help you.

On this date in 1939, the first televised Major League Baseball game was broadcast on station W2XBS. The game was between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
On this date in 1959, the British Motors Corporation debuted the Mark I Mini. And here we all thought the “Mini” was a new car…
On this date in 1920, the 19th Amendment was officially adopted into the United States Constitution. This amendment gave women the right to vote.
On this date in 1968, the Democratic National Convention was besieged by anti-Vietnam War protesters. This prompted a song by the rock group, Chicago, included on their first album.

Lyndon B Johnson was nominated to run for President under the Democrat Party.
On this date in 1974, Charles Lindbergh died at the age of 72. He was the first man to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean.

Stephanie had her first date with Michael last night. He is a young man that attends The Exchange Church, where we go. They had a great time, and it appears that more future dates are in order. What really impressed me was that he arrived at the front door with flowers for Stephanie, and, when they went out to his car, he opened her door for her. They don’t make ’em like that any more.

Christi continues to feel better. It still hurts when she walks, but, she says, the pain is getting less each day.

Father, I pray that you show me something today that will help me live this day looking to your grace. Teach me your ways, that I may walk in your truth.

Today, I’m reading Psalm 87. This psalm is by the “sons of Korah.” It begins with praise of Zion, the holy mount of God.
On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. (1-3)

The psalm speaks of spiritual birth, which begins in Zion, the dwelling place of God.
The LORD records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.”
Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.” (6-7)
Only the “springs” of God’s dwelling place can satisfy spiritual thirst. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)

My Utmost For His Highest
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. John 14:27

“…inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus.” Can this be true? I’m betting that there are people who would argue this point with me. “I’ve got inner peace, and I don’t believe in Jesus.” Frankly, I don’t really believe that, because I believe in Jesus, and still find “inner peace” to be quite evasive. I agree with Chambers, who says, “There are times when our peace is based upon ignorance.” The peace that Jesus gives “comes from looking into His face and realizing His undisturbedness.” I love how Chambers makes up words. 🙂

At times, we get so disturbed that we are distracted by the “waves and billows of God’s providential permission.” I like that phrase, “the waves and billows of God’s providential permission.” You see, nothing comes your way that he doesn’t allow. And he allows everything for a reason. Our problem is that we get so caught up, having our eyes on those “waves and billows,” that we don’t trust God, and, therefore, that “inner peace” remains evasive. “Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself.” I think that last sentence bears restating. “If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself.” We must not allow anything to hide the face of Jesus from us!

Whatever is pressing in on me at the moment…am I looking to Jesus and receiving his peace? If not, if I try to “worry it out,” I block out his face and, frankly, deserve what I get. “We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him.” What does Jesus say at the beginning of this chapter? “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1) This becomes difficult because we focus on ourselves and on our “waves and billows.” What does the old hymn say?
Turn your eyes upon Jesus;
Look full in his wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of his glory and grace.
Those are some of the most calming words ever written by man.

Father, I pray that I might truly turn my eyes upon Jesus each day. I certainly attempt to do that, and, I believe, quite successfully. In the morning. Before the drive to work. Unfortunately, it is at that point that everything begins to fall apart. It’s easier to stay focused on those days that I pray while driving to work. But I truly prefer getting my prayers in at home, where I’m not distracted by the task of driving. As I (hopefully) grow closer to you and closer to the man you want me to be, I pray for eyes that see Jesus constantly. I’m always praying, at the beginning of my devotions, for a glimpse of your face. And my desire is that this glimpse might carry me through the day. Each day I ask for only enough grace to get me through the task at hand. I try not to worry anything beyond today. Actually, I would do well not to “worry” about anything. Poor choice of words, there.

I pray daily that I am “right with you,” so that I might be able to look outside myself. I know this attitude of which Chambers speaks. I know that when I am not right with you, I tend to focus on me. But it is so much better to be able to look at you and focus on Christ, and not worry about things. I pray, Father, that when those “waves and billows” come into my life, I will trust your “providential permissions,” and know that you have my life firmly in your grasp and all is under control. I will not be disturbed. I will heed the words of Jesus, “Let not your hearts be troubled.”

I pray for this day. I pray for the worship celebration that is about to happen. I ask that everyone in attendance today will be able to shed their distractions, their disturbances, as they walk in the door of the school where we meet. May they be able to focus on your face for just one hour, and worship you with reckless abandon, through singing, prayer, Scripture reading, and the proclamation of your word. May you speak to us through our pastor as he brings your message to us. I pray that he speaks only the words that you have given him, and that you open our ears to the words that the Spirit would say to us.

May the remainder of this day be a day of peace and rest as we prepare our hearts, minds, and bodies for the week ahead.

Consider Jesus as you look at your “waves and billows.”

Grace and peace, friends.