Family Dinner

Meatballs by Rebecca A.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

 Psalm 23: 5a    Psalm 145:16 NLT

Our monthly family dinner is a time of beautifully controlled chaos. Bursting with good food and loud conversation and chattering grandkids and craziness and drama and laughter and spilled drinks … and family. Talk of the latest ball game or promotions or inevitable life challenges can be heard mingled with the sounds of forks mindlessly hitting the plate to entwine bites of homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Family dinner in all it’s beautiful chaos. We love it.

As I read Psalm 23, I was struck that God prepares a table for us, but unlike the family dinner table, this table is prepared for us in the presence of our enemies. Right there, smack in the middle of enemies, our Lord is able to treat us to a meal. Enabling us to relax and sit at His table that’s overflowing with His peace, His presence, His provision. Not by removing the “enemies” but right there in their presence. In spite of them.

What “enemy” is in your presence today?

What “enemy” is in your presence today?

Grief. Loss. Rejection. Illness. Financial collapse. Fear. Despair. “What if” or “Why” questions… The Lord has prepared a table for you, for me…right there. Right smack in the middle of real-life.

Yet whether or not we sit and enjoy His offerings is our choice. We can be so distracted by the enemy that we miss His table all together. Or perhaps we’re waiting for the enemies of life to go away before sitting down to the table of His peace and presence and provision.

During family dinner, I can easily get so focused on the meal and spills and serving, that I neglect the gift of family right in front of me. As we encounter the enemies of life, we too can become so focused on coping or “doing” that we neglect the table He has prepared for us right there in the middle of our enemies.

Practically speaking, what does “sitting at His table” look like? A simple prayer of “Help” (no need to get theological, just cry out to Him) then opening His Word to read aloud a Psalm (23 or 37 or 46 are great places to begin). Together, let’s stop. Pull out a chair and sit at the table of His presence. Though there’s probably no Italian meatballs on the menu, what our Father God offers is beyond any culinary delight. He opens His hand and offers us His very peace and provision to fully satisfy the longing soul.

I do not shield you from hardship. I give you victory while in the throes of adversity.

– Francis J. Roberts

Father, Thank You for Your provision – for Your table in the very presence of my enemies. Grow in me a depth of faith that is able to relax at Your table regardless of what swirls around.  You are entirely faithful! How I love You! In Jesus’. Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus.

Is He Trustworthy?

This is the confidence we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if He hears us, we have as our present possession, those things we’ve asked of Him.

You have need of endurance that after you have done the will of God, you may receive what has been promised.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul.

Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.

 1 John 5:15 (NASB and AMP), Hebrews 10:36 , Hebrews 11:1 AMP,  Hebrews 6:19a NASB Psalm 27:14 AMP

Mindlessly running a soapy sponge across the dinner plate, I looked out our kitchen window admiring the view of our backyard. My eyes turned to the lawn and I noticed it would soon need cut. As quickly as the thought entered my mind it evaporated because I know my husband.  “He’ll take care of that”, I reminded myself as I picked up another dish.  Even if days go by and the grass gets taller than usual, I am confident that it hasn’t escaped his notice. He’ll do it. So, assured that it’s not something I have to be concerned about – I don’t give it a second thought.

The following morning, as I sat alone with the Lord and read His word, I felt a wave of anxiousness come over me as my mind lingered on a particular trial that I had already prayed about….already placed into His care. Was my Father God less reliable than my husband? Could I take my husband at his word and not trust my Lord to honor His? Praying, I confessed, “Oh, Father. I know You see my need and have heard my prayers…I trust You. Even when I can’t see how or understand the why or it seems to be taking longer than I had hoped. Help me remember, just like my husband and the lawn… Each time this need comes to my mind – “It’s alright, my Father is taking care of it.”

Dear one, I realize I am making this sound so very simple and your needs may be so very complicated and perhaps even impossible – yet this I know – we serve a God who delights in doing the impossible for His children; He watches over His Word to perform it and He acts on behalf of those whose hearts are completely His. He will either change your circumstance or walk you through your circumstance.

He will either change your circumstance

or walk you through your circumstance.

Look at your difficulty in all its facets and then remind yourself, “It’s alright, my Father is taking care of it and has it all under control.”

My Lord,

Enable me to present my needs, laying down my heavy burdens and then rest in You. Cause me to remember that You haven’t forgotten me even if the days turn into months or years…You are working out Your perfect will. Cause me to rest in You. Thank You Father!

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Prep Work

Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt.

As for you, you meant evil against me, 

but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 37:26-28  50:20A  NASB

Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt. If that phrase doesn’t leap off the page at you, maybe you aren’t familiar with Joseph’s story, or maybe like me, you tend to forget that our God often uses the detours and the pain and even the tragedy of our lives to position us just where He wants us. Just when He wants us.

Let’s take a quick look at the summary version of Joseph’s life. He’s his dad’s favorite son. Maybe a bit spoiled. Possibly a bit bratty. Definitely anointed by God. As a teenager, he’s granted visions of his future that include power and greatness. That’s the end of his story. It will come to pass because God said so. But hold on tight, with God’s call always comes God’s preparation. Of us. Of others. Of our circumstances.

For Joseph to walk out the reality of being second in command in the land of Egypt and the privilege of being used by God as His instrument of “salvation” for thousands… He experiences the pain of betrayal by his brothers. The degradation and hopelessness of being sold into slavery. The doing-the-right-thing yet cast-into-prison-anyway injustice of being falsely accused of rape and then incarcerated. For years. I’m sure this isn’t what Joseph had in mind when God gave him dreams of great blessing. But preparation for blessing is often painful and always necessary.

I have walked through seasons of preparation (Maybe you have too) such as teen motherhood, the death of two of my children, divorce, betrayal and even my own addictions. These have produced in me a desperate dependence on, and deep love for, my Father God, along with an authentic empathy for those in pain and a deep gratefulness for His mercy. Results that seasons of comfort and ease simply cannot provide.

Preparation for blessing is often painful and always necessary.

What about you? How have you been “brought into Egypt” through life’s difficulties? Have your painful circumstances blinded you to His sovereign hand? What are you walking through right now that may be a “season of preparation” for future blessing?

“Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” – Corrie ten Boom

Oh Father, enable me to rest in Your sovereign control over my life. Please help me to focus on the truth of Your Word rather than being blinded or surprised by the circumstances around me. You love me, You have a good plan for my life, and I can trust You… whatever the season. In Jesus’ name Amen

By Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Prodigals (and those who love them)

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. Luke 15:11-13 NLT

Miracles are God’s department. – Ruth Bell Graham

If you have no prodigals of your own, you may be tempted to skip over this devo … please let me encourage you to read on … because I bet you know someone who does.  

The “church ” definition of prodigal, is a person who has walked away/drifted away or ran at full speed, away from a close relationship with the Lord. The sterile, nuts and bolts dictionary definition of prodigal is, “to use money, resources (including relationships) and even time itself, recklessly.” This may describe our children (teen or adult), spouses, parents, siblings, grandchildren or even ourselves.

To live recklessly.

Having a couple prodigals of my own (and having been one!), I felt drawn to read and reread the entire chapter of Luke 15, pulling wisdom, comfort and encouragement from my Father God through His Word. Glancing at the page in front of me, I noticed (for the 1st time) that chapter 15 of Luke contains these headings:

The parable of the Lost Sheep.

The parable of the Lost Coin.  

The parable of the Lost Son.

Lost Son … the emotion of that sentence caught in my throat. There’s no dictionary that can adequately capture the meaning of that phrase.

Lost Son … though just typed letters on a page, if you have a *lost son (or daughter), those words are pregnant with emotion. If you are a lost son, I hope the words provide a reminder that you belong to a family. And they feel your absence deeply.

The Son of God shares this parable as an illustration for us to see, and even feel, how valuable we are to our Father God and how He responds to the lost. I believe He also shares this story for all “lost sons” (and daughters) and for all the aching moms and dads longing for their return. He so lovingly provides a blueprint for walking out the unique heartache that, often, He alone understands. After all, all His children were at one time, lost.

Decision Magazine 2005

Though there is much to draw from this chapter, I want to use it for a singular purpose. To offer authentic encouragement.  Our Father God sees our prodigal and is at work in their life in ways and means that we do not see. While we are not promised a particular outcome, we can trust that He is moving in their lives because we asked Him to.

While lines of communication should remain open, we must let them go … into His care. And trust. He’ll let us know if there’s something we are supposed to do.

One last point, as you pray and ache for your lost one, be the answer to another’s prayer. Seek out ways to serve, provide hope and actively pray for other hurting folks and their prodigals. That addict on the street or that looking-put-together but really a hot-mess adult child of someone else – they need your touch. Your service. Your interaction. Don’t be so distracted by your own challenges, that you are blind to those He places in your path.

If you are a lost one, forget what’s happened in your past. Cry out to God and then make that phone call or send that text. If those doors are closed, reach out to a praying friend. But know this, the Lord God will welcome you back … in a heartbeat. He loves you so.

Until they draw their last breath, we must not stop praying. Calling to mind that nothing is too difficult for Him.

“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.”

William Barclay

Father, we lay our prodigals in Your hands… and trust that You will work in their lives in ways and means that we cannot. You are God. You are good. You are able. And You are faithful. In the meantime, use us in the lives of others, enable us to be Your answer to another’s prayer.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Suggested resources/thoughts:

Pray Psalm 139, as you personalize it with your “lost ones” name. So powerful.

The Prodigal Prayer Guide: “Nothing is more devastating than watching a loved one walk away from the Lord. Yet in the middle of this grief, God offers a beautiful invitation to trust Him and to draw nearer to Him than ever before.”

Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait by Ruth Bell Graham

For Prayer: 1-888-NEED-HIM 

https://www.NeedHim.org

 https://tsc.nyc/prayer/  (If you use the Times Square Church app, you can text prayer requests as well).

*Some reading this have lost a son (or daughter) to death. I am so sorry for your pain and loss … I, myself have two children in heaven. There are no words adequate to express your pain.  Only the God of all comfort is able to enter in to such unimaginable grief and then enable us to put one foot in front of the other as we continue (really) living … all for his glory. Let’s not waste our pain.

Second Chances and Fish-belly praying

In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears. Psalm 18:6 NASB

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly, “I cried out of my distress to the Lord, and He heard me.”  Jonah 2:1-2a AMPC

“And the Word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time.” Jonah 3:1

Have you ever needed a second (or 3rd or 4th or 20th) chance? I admit I have (a few times).

Come with me, let’s peek behind the curtain of Jonah’s second-chance story. Or should we say, this God-of-second-chances story. Second chances for the dirty-rotten, down right evil, folks of Nineveh. And second chances for this prophet of God, who wanted no part in warning Nineveh, who as far as he was concerned, deserved a divine smackdown.

God told Jonah to warn the Ninevites of His impending judgment. But Jonah didn’t think the Ninevites deserved a warning. So, although God said go east to Nineveh, Jonah boarded a ship heading west to the city of Tarshish. Not exactly prophet-of-the-year in the making. Once on the ship, God sent a life-threatening storm that eventually turned Jonah into fish food. Chapter two tells us, “Now the Lord prepared and appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah and he was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17 AMPC. Don’t miss that fact that God prepared and appointed the fish. This was no man-over-board accident that randomly resulted in a big fish that just happened to be swimming by! Though Jonah rebelled, God faithfully arranged a unique time-out space for him to think through his choices.

I am astounded at this picture of God’s mercy and grace.

Has God ever prepared and appointed a “big fish” for you? A sort of divine time out that has allowed you time to think through life, or bad choices or simply sift through priorities? Maybe it’s a season of learning that God is faithful even in the darkness of the fish’s belly. I love how C.H. Spurgeon puts it, “Anything is a blessing which makes us pray.” Anything. My belly-of -the-fish moments have included everything from the death of two of my children to financial reversal.

Sometimes we are thrown over-board by our own sin and rebellion, other times, life throws us into the “depths of the sea” by virtue of simply being alive. And sometimes, other people’s choices throw us overboard. Regardless of how we arrive in our “fish-belly” state, I want us to see that God is present. Seaweed baggage and all. He is attentive to our cries for help and we can be assured that nothing happens to a child of God by happenstance.

After Jonah’s divine timeout, we read these words in chapter three; “And the Word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time.”  God didn’t have to offer Jonah a second chance to do the right thing. But He did. And Jonah took it. This time the prophet of God did as directed and warned the folks of impending doom.  God offered the Ninevites a second chance, spoken of by a man who had just experienced one.

We may need a second chance to do the right thing or a second chance to handle a trial the right way or maybe our second chance has come in the form of a second season of life. Whatever the reason we are in need of a second chance, listen to His voice as He speaks to you … “The Word of the Lord came to (fill in your name) a second time.”

“It’s God’s mercy that provides the belly of the beast.”

Jeff Schreve

Father God, there are no words that could adequately express my thankfulness for Your gift of the fish’s belly that led to my second chance at life. I worship You in the beauty of Your holiness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here for info on my devo Stony Paths or for a FREE pdf of Stony Paths.

How’s Your Rope?

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand]. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!”

“Because he set his love on Me, therefore I will save him; I will set him [securely] on high, because he knows My name [he confidently trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon him, no, never]. “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.”

Psalm 91:1-2 and 14-15 AMP

“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it?” – C. S. Lewis

Recently, as I sat by the bedside and took in the raw reality of a dying loved one, this quote from C.S. Lewis came rushing into my thoughts. With my Bible in my lap, I read aloud Psalm 91, personalizing it for him as I went.  It’s then that I realized that the “rope” of God’s Word was being tested in real life, in real-time. And while I would much rather never have to put it to the test, I found it (once again) sufficient. Sufficient for my grief. Sufficient for his comfort. Sufficient for his valley of the shadow of death. Sufficient for the struggles that lay ahead.

When my Father God promises in His Word that He will never abandon or forsake us, He meant it. And I felt it. When He promised to be with us in trouble, I understood it afresh. Experiencing (once again) first hand, that though trouble surrounded us, He was with us, in the trouble.

Our Bibles were never meant to be simply a “Christian” accessory  or merely a place to turn for a quick “spiritual” one-liner on hard days. It is meant to be our Bread of Life. Our “rope” that will not fail.

Many reading this, have tested the rope of God’s Word and discovered the strength of the cord for themselves. Others have not yet been made to test its fibers. But the day comes for each of us when we must test its strength for ourselves. He will be found sufficient.

The day comes for each of us, when we must test the strength of God’s Word for ourselves.

Becky White

Just as my precious stepdad found dying grace, and just as I am finding grieving grace, you will find His living grace for all that comes your way. And when you do – go and encourage others.

Father God, I am so grateful for the authentic comfort and hope that You alone provide. You are my mighty fortress and shelter in the storms of real life. I love You. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

Glory to God?

Recently, I came across this years-old devotional I’d written, and couldn’t help but think of those walking through knee-deep trials right now. Pain that lays us bare and can cause even the strongest and God-honoring to cry “uncle”, this is too hard! If that’s you – I am so sorry for what you’re walking through. I promise not to diminish your pain or use Christian lingo to wipe away real-life tragedy. But I will lay God’s Word before you as a balm and possibly a new set of glasses by which to look at your pain.

Does Your Life Glorify God?

[Jesus said to His disciplines] “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” John 12:23 NIV

“…for the Son of Man to be glorified…”  If I didn’t know what was about to happen to Jesus, I would be excited at the prospect of Him being glorified. But I do know what comes next. He’s going to be arrested for something He didn’t do, get slapped across the face for refusing to answer the High Priest, suffer the agony of His beard being plucked out for the amusement of cruel guards and beaten until unrecognizable as human (Isaiah 53). The Son of Man was stripped naked and nailed to a wooden cross.  And just when you think the cruelty and humiliation can’t get any worse, bystanders taunt Him one last time. “If you’re really the Son of God, come down off that cross!” and then they spit at Him, jeering, as He hung naked and pain-racked.

Being aware of all that was to come, the one word that would not come to my mind is glorified. Abandoned, rejected, abused, maybe… but not glorified. Of course, Jesus did know all that would befall Him as He spoke those words. That’s what makes His statement so out of place to me.

Jesus’ mockery of a trial, ruthless beatings, and death (and then His bodily resurrection) were used as tools to bring glory to God. Jesus willingness to be our Scapegoat (Leviticus 16)  brought glory and honor to Himself like nothing else could. The Son of Man was glorified!

If you find yourself knee-deep in difficulties, the Lord doesn’t require your understanding, but He does want your trust. He is more than able to bring glory to His name through your life’s circumstances. Even circumstances, that surface-level, seem disfigured and ugly.

“…we will stand amazed to see the topside of the tapestry and how God beautifully embroidered each circumstance into a pattern for our good and His glory.”

― Joni Eareckson Tada

“Father, I don’t understand why I’m in this trial. And I don’t like it. But — I am willing to obey You no matter what. Grant me the ability to walk through this valley and to do so without bitterness. You don’t require my understanding, only my trust. Glorify Yourself through my life.” In Jesus, name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

Unknowns of Life…

He knows what is in the darkness…

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path.

Daniel 2:22b NASB   Psalm 142:3a  NASB

The unknown. We all fear it. We avoid situations that cause it. We try to prevent it. But it’s unavoidable isn’t it? We have no idea what the traffic will be on our way home from work let alone the weighty unknowns of life. The unknown factors at work in our world, our country, our health or our families. Will a spouse walk out? Will a pink slip be handed us? Will a terminal diagnosis be given? Try as we might, there is no adequate preparation for the pain and shock of such unknowns. For such times of darkness. Darkness that has the capacity to cause us to feel overwhelmed by the fear of the unknown.

As I pondered the idea of the unknowns of life, my eyes fell on this, circled and highlighted in orange, sentence in my Bible; “He knows what is in the darkness.” Though I don’t recall why I highlighted the verse – at this moment, it jumped off the page at me. His Spirit speaking directly to me. “Becky, I know.” My Father knows what the darkness conceals. He knows my path, He illumines my darkness. He knows. I found genuine comfort embedded in that reminder.

Whatever form of darkness you’re facing today, trust the One who sees into the dark unknown and follow His lead through the murkiness of your circumstance.

Becky White

The unknowns, the around-the-corner issues of life are like a darkness that conceals what we desperately want to know. What’s next on the agenda of life’s challenges? A toddler’s sniffles or a marriage in distress? A cancer diagnosis or a broken-down car? A career move or a sudden death? A child’s rebellion or an out-of-my-comfort-zone season? Whatever the “darkness”, He sees, He is aware.

Whatever form of darkness you’re facing today, trust the One who sees into the dark unknown and follow His lead through the murkiness of your circumstance.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night, “even the darkness is not dark to you the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Psalm 139:11-12 ESV

“Now, I know in my experience that Jesus’ light is stronger than the biggest darkness.”

Corrie ten Boom

My Father,

Try as I might, I can’t “prepare” for every potential difficulty that may occur (And You know I try!). Grant me the ability to rest in the knowledge that You see into the darkness of my challenges and have already made provision for all that will come my way. You are never caught off guard. Thank You Father!

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Products

OG Devo – Knee Pads

Recently, while “cleaning up” old files that were saved on my computer, I came across the original 20 year-old manuscript of Devotions For Difficult Days. As I’ve read through the OG devos, the memories of His faithfulness in the midst of pain, come rushing back to my heart. I so clearly see the grace and mercy of God on my life and His ability to walk us through trials. Not necessarily removing the painful events, but giving us His wisdom and grace to walk through them. It’s also a real-life example of Romans 8:28 and Ephesians 1:11 which says in part, He is “working all things according to the counsel of His will.” And His promise to bring good from all we face – If we put our lives in His hands. He will do the same for you as well and that “hopeless” situation you’re facing.

I have decided to share a few of these OG devos from years past, in their original form for the most part. You may notice a few grammar issues or strange sentence structure. Please  try to look past that, and land on the lesson He was teaching me at the time, and maybe even use it to remind/or teach you as well.

For His glory and your encouragement. Becky White

Knee Pads

Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees.

2 Corinthians 12:8 The MSG, a paraphrase (In context 2 Corinthians 12:9-10  )

The following was ripped from the pages of my decades-old prayer journal.

This is beyond me, Father. I feel like I can’t take it any more! These tests, trials and temptations just keep rolling over me in waves of intensity; when will it stop?

Though not audibly, I could almost hear the Lord say, “My grace is sufficient for you. Becky, My power is made perfect in your weakness. When you are weak, you are most strong – in Me. Don’t allow yourself to succumb to despair. Put your hope in Me, I will strengthen you in your inner man through My Spirit who lives in you. Trust Me to walk you through this.”

Oh Father, I  admit that apart from You I can do nothing, but through You I can do all things. I know I am more than a conqueror  through Christ Who loves me and gave His life for me. Cause me to walk out these truths – not simply parrot verses to others, but in the furnace of my life, to actually walk them out. Cause Your hope to fill me.

This prayer wrestling with the Lord didn’t cause my testings to melt into oblivion (do they ever!?), but as the verse in 2 Corinthians testifies, what the enemy would use to destroy me, has actually been used by God to drive me to knees in total dependence on my Father, and complete abandon to His  will.

As C.S. Lewis so eloquently put it, “God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.” 

Whatever form your test, trial or temptation may take, may the Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and may it drive you to your knees. In dependence on Him.

My Father God, In complete reliance on Your power and Your strength, equip me to walk this narrow road to which You call all Your people. Thank You!  I love You so much. In Jesus name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

For helpful resources, click here

Look Up

Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.…

Psalm 5:1-3 NKJ   John 4:35b NKJ   Psalm 121:1-2 Berean Standard Bible

Recently, during my, before-work-one-eye-on-the-clock Bible reading, the words “And I will look up,” penetrated my heart. Reading and rereading the phrase as I sipped my morning coffee, I pulled out my phone and took a snap-shot of the Bible page in front of me, with the intention of reading it again later. I knew the Lord had His finger on something ….

I can be so self-focused, and so distracted by all that impacts my little sphere of life. Distracted by the challenges before me, or the length of a trial, or the heartache of what-if thinking.  To my embarrassment, I can even be distracted by the blessings God has given me. Do you struggle with any of this too?

If you want to test how self-focused you are, try this. If shown a group photo that you’re a part of, whose face do you look at first? Yep. Me too. We’re a sad lot.

As the day slowed down and I had a chance to mull over His Word, I knew what He was telling me. Look away from myself, and my trials, and my difficulties, and yes, even from the blessings He’s given me. Leave them all on the table, and look up to Him. My God, my Savior and my King. Start there.

Then, as I look away from myself, and to God, He reminds me of the importance of looking at those He has placed around me. Consider their pain, and look at their challenges, and what they may be walking through. There is so much pain all around us. Many of those we bump up against, are trying desperately to appear as if they have it all together. As if any of us do. Some believe the enemy’s lie that their particular circumstance is the exception to God’s promises. Even beyond hope.

While we cannot wave the proverbial wand or remove another’s pain, what we can do is lead them to (or remind them of) The One who can do the impossible. Our God and King. The Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. And help them, to look up as well. Away from the pain or even blessing, to God Himself.

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”   

Corrie Ten Boom

Father, Please enable me to look up, away from all that distracts – to You. And to those You’ve put around me. For Your glory …. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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