2Kings 14; 2 Tim. 4; Hos. 7; Ps.120-122

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 

I take my small-world problems, my “insurmountable” challenges to the Lord. I look at the mountains in front of me and ask Him to move them and my gaze is lifted even further up.

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

When I bring my mountains to Him, I am reminded that He is the maker of much greater things. He authored my salvation, my life, my days, and allowed for these mountains to be in my path. Why wouldn’t He be able to move them?

By seeking the Lord with my mountains, I am reminded that He is capable of moving far greater things. In the midst of prayer, I am tapping into the divine power and strength of the Maker of the universe. I am moving from my limited power source to His unlimited supply of strength.

Father, You are limitless. You are not limited by my doubt. And this makes You most worthy of my faith. I will bring You my mountains, for You are able.

christiancourier517

Advertisement

1Kings 21; 1Thess.4; Dan. 3; Ps.107

Three big-G God men oppose a small-g god king.

Small-g god king, infuriated, cranks up the heat.

Three big-G God men end up in a furnace with a big-G God.

Small-g god king is astounded and acknowledges big-G God.

Daniel and his friends would agree with the words of Tozer about a big-G God today: “He shows Himself not to reason but to faith and love.”

They knew a God big enough to save their souls, and bodies, from the flames. Their God wasn’t merely married to the pages of scripture or tied up in theory. He was a God that was real.

So, in faith, they put their knowledge to the road. And He showed Himself. To them and to everyone watching that day.

Infinite God,

I want to road-test my faith for you in action, not in theory because You are a God of faith and love, not just reason. 

– c

1Kings 7; Eph. 4; Ezek.37; Ps.87,88

Psalms 88: 13 ~ HELP!

But I cry to you for help, LORD;

   in the morning my prayer comes before you.

But I don’t want to ask for help!

Confession: I am allergic to asking for help. If I’m stuck on a homework problem, my first move is to try and figure it out myself before shooting the prof an email. It’s only in the most dire of circumstances that I’m willing to call a friend if my tire blows out or I’m stranded on the highway. And even then, I’m reluctant to make the call.

Our need for help, however, is the basis for our fulfillment in Christ. As David Powlison puts it in A Praying Life,

“Helplessness is how the Christian life works.”

He borrows from the words of Thomas Merton:

“Prayer is an expression of who we are…We are a living incompleteness. We are a gap, an emptiness that calls for fulfillment.”

A state of helplessness is in fact a most desired state. While I struggle to maintain the image that I’m doing fine on my own, Jesus says blessed are the meek. When tempted to try my own way and resist help, Jesus says I must be like a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus,

Help! I need help.

I need your help to admit my helplessness. I need your help to understand your upside-down kingdom and live like a little kid. I don’t like being vulnerable or incapable. But this is where I will find  you and your life.

Thank you,

– christiancourier517

2 Sam. 16; 2 Cor. 9; Ezek.23; Ps.70,71

My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.

Amazing God,

Your righteousness is immeasurable  and your works of goodness towards me are countless. 

I praise you and thank you for being truly limitless in your goodness.

Teach me to count on your righteousness and salvation.

Even though I will never be able to number the ways in which you love me,

I want to grow in finding more of you in my life.

The work of redemption ought, above all God’s works, to be spoken of by us in our praises. The Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to God, is worthy of all blessing and praise. – Matthew Henry

 

christiancourier517

1 Sam. 31; 1 Cor.11; Ezek. 9; Ps.48

Jerusalem is in shambles.

The temple is defiled. The eyes of Israel looks to false gods.

God speaks to Ezekiel and shows him all of the iniquities of his people. He is jealous and vengeful towards the Israelites. He seems even a little bit… harsh?

“Therefore will I also deal in wrath; mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.” Ezekiel 8:18

Where is the God of love and peace? The God of mercy and grace?

When He commands that the temple be filled with the bodies of the slain, even Ezekiel is aghast at the utter wrath of God: “While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, ‘Alas, Sovereign LORD! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?'” Ezekiel 9:8

Where is the mercy in this act of destruction? Is God just some ruthless judge out smite evil-doers and idolators? Is He just some jealous, insecure boyfriend who cringes when some better looking god walks by?

No, in fact, God’s wrath is the surest sign of His mercy and His jealousy the mark of His wholeness. God is jealous not because He desperately needs our attention but because He is holy and His holiness calls us to purity. Therefore, God’s jealously is a longing for our salvation and always for our good.

As if God needed anything from us! His wrath is meant to purify us and pull of from self-destructive idols. This is His mercy. His jealously is to call us back into fulfilling relationship with Him and purify us. This is His holiness.

christiancourier517