Sunday, May 29, 2011
Incense
I write this just after having sinned greatly against someone I love. What I did I had meant for good, but it turned into an offense. I am a sinner, and deeply aware of it this morning ----yet, having confessed it, I am, through Christ, fragrant incense. What mercy and what grace!
The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Impossible Situation
Thou hast caught us in a net,
Thou has bound our bodies fast;
Thou hast let men ride over our heads.
We went through fire and water (Ps. 66:11-12).
We all know the feelings the psalmist described here. Our contexts of experience differ greatly, but the same Lord rules our world now and works through what seems to us insoluble. He is “tremendous in His dealings with mankind,” (v.5), or, as an older translation has it, “terrible in His doings with the children of men.” Whether it looks tremendous or terrible to us just now, we can take our peace from the knowledge that it is our God who has “caught us,” “bound our bodies,” allowed men to “ride over our heads” ---because He has a loving purpose. As in ancient myths and fairy tales, the prize is always gained through some fearful ordeal, some dark and dangerous passage, some encounter with fire, water, or dragons.
“But Thou hast brought us out” (He is bringing us, every minute. He is not off somewhere else, but beside us, protecting, leading) “into liberty.” That is what he wants for us: Freedom at last, release from ourselves, entrance into the broad meadows of His love.
“Blessed is God who has not withdrawn His love and care from me” (v.20).
The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot
Sunday, May 15, 2011
I Can't Take It
Timothy was a young minister who, Paul knew, would have to bear more than seems humanly bearable. “Now therefore, my son, take strength from the grace of God which is ours in Christ Jesus…. Take your share of hardship, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1,4).
Whether you can take what life dishes out, and the difficult people life puts you into contact with, depends on what you take first. If you take from the grace of God the strength offered, you will find it absolutely sufficient to cover any need. You will find yourself quite amazingly able to bear the hardship of life’s bitter battle as a good soldier. But the soldier has to be trained, prepared, and equipped first. Don’t rush into the fray and try to “take it” without first taking strength.
Lord, for the needs of hardships of today, I come for Your strength. I receive it with thanks in Jesus’ name. You, Lord, are my Strength.
The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot
Sunday, May 8, 2011
I Cannot Act By Myself
“Lord, this is not quite what I meant,” is sometimes our response to His answer.
“What is your aim?” He asks us then, “Your will or Mine?”
“Then remember: you cannot act by yourself.”
The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot
Sunday, May 1, 2011
He Will Find A Place
This is where I am this morning as I write ---the possibilities of what may happen are daunting. Asking the Lord for some help in resting my case with Him, I found these words: “You saw ….how the Lord your God carried you all the way to the place, as a father carries his son. In spite of this you did not trust the Lord your God, who went ahead on the journey to find a place for your camp” (Deut. 1:31-33).
Has He, in fact, carried me all the way to this place? Of course He has.
Did He look after my needs as attentively as a father his son’s?
Of course He did.
Have I reason to doubt that He is even now going ahead of me on my journey, to find a place for me?
No reason whatever.
Shall I trust Him then? Lord, forgive my fears. I will trust, and not be afraid. The place You find will certainly be a place of peace.
The Music of His Promises by Elisabeth Elliot