Psalm 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

He had been through this so many times before, the help he needed coming at the last second. Now, having just drank his last drop and shot his last shot, there was only one remaining reason to garner hope. Though his enemies were pressing in unhindered, an expectation rose inside as he lifted his eyes from desperate circumstances to somewhere above and beyond them where he knew without a doubt his deliverance was on the way. The request had gone out, the message had been sent, and without a doubt his help was on the way. The force of his opposition would otherwise have been completely overwhelming, but when his help arrived he knew Him to be far greater than anything these mere mortals could muster. After all, He was their originator, the One who had designed them and equipped them with the ability to mount any threat at all. To be on His side was to only have enemies with unproductive weaponry. So, from the hills?, from the sky?, from the right?, from the left?, he did not know from where, but he did know who was coming and that He would surely come to keep his foot from falling and his enemies from prevailing over His own.

There is a need for a lifted gaze on a day-by-day basis, where the heart has its expectation on the Deliverer above and in greater measure than anything else. To trust in the Lord is not to be without otherwise overwhelming circumstance. In fact, the greater the circumstances and size of the opposition, the greater will be the potential exercise of trust.  There is no real sweetness to this trust that inspires great songs without dire straits that may only allow the lifted gaze. However, in that small glance will be the motion of faith that signals the armies of heavenly intervention. From their concealed locations they will advance with a deliverance and provision unmatched by any resistance, inevitably producing triumph and the sweet taste of trust for the children of righteousness.

It really doesn’t have to wait for the last drop or the last shot, either. Fixation upon the Deliverer and the sureness of His arrival is ultimately the hope that drives and enables all other hope that we have in Christ. Whether we’re living in manifested promise or experiencing the opportunity for trust at its sweetest, the lifted gaze will enable and empower the enablement and preservation of all that has been prepared for those who love Him. Rather than being depressed by the misguiding messages on the deceivers’ placards, the condition of our spirit can be defined by the joy and peace produced by the message of grace. Always on the way and in great measure is a sufficiency that is greater than all our sin and its judgment of destruction. It will be one for the record books as the Creator demonstrates a favor without merit by producing a victory through us where there had once only been the possibility of defeat.

Just the thought is enough to sense that quickened pulse as the gaze is lifted to a higher expectancy. Ever looking up- for surely redemption draweth nigh… Luke 21:28

Mark 16:9 Now when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved. (ASV)

Did you ever just not believe? It’s so good to be great at believing, but to be honest sometimes the ole believer just dysfunctions. I’m so glad that when it does, it doesn’t totally disable your identity, your position, your possibilities or your future.

Everybody talks about Thomas and how he refused to believe until he could actually touch the wounds and prove for himself that Jesus was alive. It seems, though, from this passage, that Thomas wasn’t alone, at least in his doubting, because it says here that ‘they’ disbelieved. And, it doesn’t say that two or three believed, but just Thomas was the lone doubter. All the guys there at the announcement had a major brain hurdle. Although Jesus had clearly stated what He was up to, either they were thinking about lunch or they thought He was talking about something more pre-death, because they really weren’t anticipating this amazing turn of events. They were also probably overwhelmed with grief and not thinking clearly and Jesus was probably wearing a different tunic and cologne, and – ok, they could have had a very long list of reasons, but bottom line is, without faith (belief) you just don’t have the capacity to please God, and they, for whatever reason were without it (Hebrews 11). As a result they were without peace of mind or any certainty about how to proceed from this point.

How incredible it must have been, then, when they were together in a closed room, and Jesus comes right through the wall to join them. Not only were they shown probably the coolest miracle yet, but they were also confronted with their own doubt’s exposure.  Their meal with Him is also more exposure of this doubt as Jesus actually gets after them a bit for their inability to believe before seeing. So then, when they were feeling like they had just blown it, He begins to tell them what they are going to do, and it has nothing to do with being put out to pasture for their failure. It’s like their favor- repelling doubt was overlooked for something else that was much more powerful- Jesus belief in them.

Disbelief has a way of putting a label on the brain and becoming an identity. Some people are bold and almost take pride in proclaiming their disbelief in something that Jesus came and gave His life in order to provide. Others might not make an audible proclamation, but there in the heart is a semblance of difficulty in swallowing the whole bite. In both cases Jesus displays a love and understanding that is just as impressive as the walk-through-wall thing. Rather than holding any of this failure against us, He just takes the opportunity of intimacy to replace the doubt with a display of Himself and the lack of hope or purpose with a clear vision of where we are going in our life as one of His very own. His view is never a backward disabling one, but forward and enabling. No matter where we find ourselves on the faith ladder, He sees us complete in Him, without doubt and totally qualified to heal, cast out and do all the stuff that requires only the special qualification of our intimacy with Him.

Mark 16:14 And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. 17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (ASV)

10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Mark 1:10-12 (KJV)

Therefore there is no procrastination for those who are in Christ, both of blessing/healing and of temptation.

Victory parties have much less defining ability than that of the moments of solitude that follow in the wilderness. As wonderful as is the affirmation, its real purpose and function is to bring persistence through the challenging time waiting just around the corner.

The liberation celebration will take on the sound of the dirge if there is no confidence maintained in the Deliverer when the freedom route leads directly to the Red Sea with an army of would-be captors in hot pursuit.

Discovery of a sister swap on the morning after a long anticipated and costly marriage celebration has great power to disable resolve for committing another 7 years for the desired prize.

It would be so wonderful if there were only the blessing, the mountain top glory exposition with an affirmation of heritage and identification. There is, however, another experience that quite often follows the time of honoring encouragement- the challenge, the test that proves the legitimacy of the celebration. It’s not just the ceremony that makes a marriage, but it is its embrace in the face of great challenges that would disable and destroy it. The talked about and much touted athlete is nothing more than a dream and hope until the field of battle is taken and the competition engaged. It is in the embrace of the conflict that the celebrated potential is confirmed and validated.

So, the building storm after the morning of sunshine need not remove the joy of the sunshine’s rays, but rather provide an appreciated opportunity for its proving. With gladness the challenge can be embraced with confidence and assurance gained from the honored moments of affirmation. With joy the cross can be endured with an encouraging remembrance of the glory’s voice and a fixed gaze on the prize that lies ahead. Much more than just for the festivity of the moment is the commencement’s purpose. It is meant to enable steadfastness in the time of heat, hunger, and temptation in the desert. It is meant to solidify and identify those qualities of strength that will empower and equip for endurance through the seemingly endless wilderness challenges that are on the path to the promise.

Instead of doubt there can be great comfort with the rapid arrival of the trial. Rather than undermining the reality of the celebration’s declaration, it can be seen as its confirmation and validation. Welcome, rather than despised can be the fulfillment of its purpose in a victory that glorifies the Author and Finisher.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:2-4 (KJV)

Habakkuk 2:2-3 GNB  The LORD gave me this answer: “Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance.  (3)  Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.

`Que sera, sera– Whatever will be, will be’. So why bother to write it down, then, if it’s just going to happen anyway? Maybe the looking at what is written enables the course to completion?

I remember the first day of registration at Denver University lo these many years ago. There was a day coming a little less than four years from that point, on which I was determined to graduate with a Music Degree. My look towards that day guided every course I chose from that first registration all the way through my last semester. It was beyond my capacity to keep that day from arriving, but whether or not I was a college graduate on that coming day was totally dependent on the direction of my gaze over that course of time. It wasn’t enough to just sit back and let the passage of time take care of my destiny. It’s success would only be determined by a written goal that stated my major course of study. Many well-intended friends I met that first day never made it through to walk across the stage and shake the Chancellor’s hand. Their initial intentions could not take the place of a steadfast gaze on an unwavering, written down goal.

The future is a force of inevitable arrival, but this force is not without the potential influence of a written-down goal that is completely within our capacity in Christ. Four years, ten years, a lifetime will pass and whether or not those milestones include the abundance and fulfillment that He’s provided for us in His resurrection will have everything to do with how steady our gaze remains on the written revelation of that goal and that prize. For every area of life– personal, family, occupation and church body- there is need for a simple, definite, written goal that will influence decisions of time, energy and passion commitment. ‘What will be’ has everything to do with ‘what we see’, and, praise God!, the ultimate responsibility for this has blessed success as we look unto the Author and the Finisher of our faith. A written determination to know Him will bring into line every choice in between now and that great day of honor as we stand before Him face to face.

Luke 9:62 But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the
plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

I’m definitely not a farmer myself, but I did grow up in a part of the country where corn, sugar beets, and wheat covered a great deal of the countryside. And, I did get to work on some of the farms, driving tractor. While it was quite fascinating to watch the machinery work the ground, and though it was necessary to make certain that it was operating correctly from time to time, it was most important that the great majority of the focus be given to where the tractor was going rather than where it had been. Keeping the wheels headed straight down the rows really wasn’t all that difficult to maintain, but if for a second the front wheels were allowed to stray from the true straight line crossing the field, it would create a swerve in the rows that was unacceptable to any legitimate farmer. The days might get long, hot, and dusty, but the attention had to be kept on where the tractor was headed at all times, even during the occasional backward glance. Everything about where you’d been with that tractor would be clearly seen by anyone who might later drive by the field, and where you were looking while driving would be the greatest determining factor as to whether or not you created a success or a mess.

The end of the year is the usual time for retrospect, when experiences of the past year are acknowledged. There is power in this backward glance to maintain an assurance of operability and use those remembered moments for adjustments and lessons learned. However, there is also power in that backward glance if too extended to get completely off course and create an unacceptable past. There is one other power of the past, though, that has been provided for us in Christ, when the future is given significance and hope by the past we’ve been given in Him. Everything we’ve gone through, both good and bad, when taken to the cross can be part of His working all things together for our good. (Romans 8:28)

There is a significant work for each of us in the kingdom of God, all of which requires a forward focus, with only a backward glance that keeps things in the perspective of the cross. Victory, forgiveness, and especially the overcoming power of love are the lessons to be learned there, resulting in a heightened lively hope of a productive and gratifying life in Him.

3 Then he said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me.
Matt 18:3-5 (GW)

With the house full of Christmas décor and lights, and while food was being prepared for our family Christmas Eve gathering, another Christmas movie was playing on the television. It was the second in ‘The Santa Clause’ series; you know the one where the new Santa is required to find a Mrs. Santa Clause in order to continue in his role.  He goes with a beautiful young woman to this party of very boring, skeptical, and older people and transforms the whole nature of the party by giving special gifts to each one of the guests. Toys that each one of them had wished for as children were magically presented after all these years and in receiving them it was as if those children from so many years ago were joyfully awakened.  The solemn crowd was turned into a true party with all these old ‘children’ playing with toys and games that turned skepticism and doubt into belief and joy. Specifically for the particularly doubting young woman he was seeking to woo, Santa had a baby doll that was exactly the one she had wished for as a child. In receiving this magical gift, her heart was returned to the state of her childhood and opened up to eventually receive the love of its giver.  Yeah! Christmas could go on with the proper Santa in place with his new mate.

While the true reason for the season is being denied recognition in more and more locations around the country there is an observance of why He came in the giving of gifts. Every gift may not produce the desired effect, but you can tell the ones that do. These are the ones that quickly absorb the recipient, with attention displaced completely from other gifts and relationships to focus with heightened excitement and pulse rate on the thing that is obviously transforming them to the state of – maybe – a child? The book, Ipod, PSP, computer, instrument, clothing, etc. that awakens the child within (no matter the age without) is the gift that touches the place where brightness lives, joy is displayed, and hope is given validation and support in believing. So much of what takes place in the heart to displace hope and believing takes place in the child realm where things desired may have been denied or postponed indefinitely.

The true reason for Jesus’ coming as the special gift to each of us from our heavenly Father was so much more than to introduce religious décor and displays that might cause offense in some. Those things might be a means of celebration expression, but a much more significant expression is the desired result and actual purpose intended by the Giver. It is only when the Father’s gift awakens the child within to a displacing and exclusive focus that real hope and real joy and real faith will be given place and true Christmas celebration expression. Like those children in large bodies at the Christmas party in the movie, there is a transformation coming for each of those that let Jesus be the fulfillment of a heart’s wish and the removal of disappointments and faith-killers. He will satisfy when He becomes the gift that receives exclusive focus in the heart that is ever childlike in its expectation and continually gratified in its reception of Him.

May there be a setting aside of all other gifts for the One each child within is truly hoping to awaken to. May He bring renewed hope and strengthening joy.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2 Cor 4:17 (KJV)

The load gets lighter, the time gets shorter and the difficulties have meaning once it is known there is purpose and reason for it all. There is such a tendency for the weight to become unbearable and the time unendurable when it seems like it is all for naught, but as soon as it is fully understood that each difficulty, each effort and each moment is but an investment in something that is exponentially greater in glory, the step takes on a spring, the face a smile and the timer loses its tick.

Several years ago, while living in Tulsa, I was employed as a night clerk at a convenience store. It was actually a chain of stores with several locations around town, and I was privileged to work at some of the more interesting and challenging ones. There was one especially that was located on the opposite side of the city in a particularly dangerous and seedy area just beyond the city center. It had more of a robbery risk than most and was actually robbed just before I arrived for my shift one evening.
While the night clerk had to run the register, the main duty was to have the whole store cleaned and presentable by the time the manager arrived at 6:00. There was always something to do and you could pretty much keep moving all night long, but those hours from 2:00 AM to 6:00 were long and quiet. You also never knew who might join you in your aloneness and in what condition they might be.

As long, lonely, dangerous and physically exhausting as it was to work my little job, there was something that somehow made it worth all the effort- every other Friday when the paycheck would be in my slot. Sometimes there would be an opportunity to work an additional shift, and even as much as all three shifts in a row. You would think that those working the additional shifts would be too tired and worn out to be of much use, but for whoever was working all those additional hours, there was an understanding with the employer that the rate of pay would go to time and ½. Instead of the normal amount on the check, there would also be an amount that was nicely increased at the expanded rate. Those people whom you might expect to be dragging were oftentimes energized and motivated by the understanding that an increased reward was directly related to their efforts. Now, nobody was getting rich, but there was something very real about the reward and its ability to take the mind off of the clock and work effectively through the night. As rewarding as it might have been to work hard and just take pride in a job well done, once the monetary compensation ceased to adequately offset the effort and time, there was no problem with saying, ‘adios’, to the folks at the store.

Jesus said that in this world we would have difficulties and things that we would be ‘afflicted’ with. I love it, though, that rather than just enduring each difficulty with an eye ever on the clock and a scale ever determining its weight of difficulty, we can know that directly related to everything that might tempt us to give up and quit is a reward of far greater magnitude. We are here promised that no matter the length of our endurance and how great the load we’re made to bear, every moment and every ounce is directly impacting our magnitude of timeless and unending heavenly blessing that is ever growing exponentially in size. Though it might seem like the night is lasting forever it will be shown to be the mere moment it truly is, and though the weight seems unbearable it will be shown to be but a feather in comparison to the glory our efforts are affecting. Every trial is not only much smaller than it seems, but it’s also being used to make our glory paycheck one that is more than worth it all. It will never be necessary or even conceivable to say ‘adios’ to the folks at the store when it is fully known that the balance will always go to the weight of God’s glory reward- just need to keep working till He shows up at 6:00.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (KJV)

Philippians 3:13-14 KJV
(13)  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
(14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Milestone syndrome: getting too consumed with accomplishments and achievements and weariness to press on.

Though I didn’t actually grow up in the mountains of Colorado, my parents did, so we frequently got to visit our grandparents in Buena Vista, right next to the continental divide. (Alas, I still don’t live in the mountains of Colorado, but my parents have built a beautiful home just over the pass from their home town to which we now go as frequently as possible.) My Dad, having grown up tramping all over the mountainside, either fishing or in pursuit of Elk or some other game, was quite developed in his physical ability to climb, while also possessing some critical wisdom and understanding about the best way to finally make it to the top. From an early age I was taken along with Him on some of these adventures that for me were much about just trying to keep up with him and somehow make it to wherever he had set as a goal. Though it was incredibly beautiful with clear mountain air and drinks from clear cold streams, after awhile my greatest focus would be upon that next rise in the trail, hoping that it would be the last. There would be several times along the trail that we might take a break for a few moments, but there was something Dad would not let me do at any of those intermediary arrivals- sit down. I imagine there could be several reasons for standing through those times, but for me I can remember that it kept my legs from cooling down too much, but it also kept me from even thinking about giving up and allowing this temporary achievement to be the end of the trail. There was something so much more significant to which we were pressing and no matter the view from that spot and no matter how far we had already climbed we were about something much higher and he wouldn’t allow our bodies or our minds to let half way be enough. Of all my complaining and of all the hikes we went on, some of which were several miles, I don’t recall us ever failing to reach our intended destination. We never sat down, never rested too long at any point along the way, and were never satisfied until the peak was reached.

There will most certainly be things we apprehend along the way, and there will definitely be noteworthy achievements that mark our path, but as long as we’re trekking this earth we will never have reason to sit down and let half way be enough. After a particularly difficult section of the trail with a slippery, steep grade it may be quite tempting to let weariness dictate and resolution set in, but when the heart is beating the fastest and air is being sucked the most there will be a need to keep standing with an eye ever on the final goal. Getting stopped anywhere along the way or letting anything on this earth become the arrival, destination or goal will inhibit any progress towards the real destination of purpose in Christ. The only significance of any milestone in life will be that it is a place to stand as we get set to press on again over the next rise and through the next meadow or ravine. I’m thankful that while we remain at our Father’s side He will keep us from sitting, ever encouraging us about what lies ahead, and as long as we’re following Him, there will be no doubt about arriving; it will ever be before us as a surety and hope.

Psalms 4:4  Tremble, and sin not; speak within your own heart on your bed and be still. Selah.

Quite often that urge to respond and react is the most dangerous and most destructive. There may be a time for an appropriate response or action, but at the time of trembling life or death is possibly riding upon what is said and what is done. Though there is definitely a moment when action is necessary, while the enemy is approaching your place of hiding, when the bottom has fallen out from under your financial security, when that family member has failed to please, or when that driver has invaded your space there is an emotional response that, while demanding and insisting on expression, will only make matters worse if allowed escape. Trembling may not be an option, but whether or not that trembling dictates action is a critical choice that needs control. Better it would be to remain still and quiet, even steal away to a place of repose, where the heart can get in its two cents worth and wisdom can prevail, than to deal with the consequences of a tremble-imposed sin.

I was recently given the privilege of taking a defensive driving course that allowed me to avoid a penalty incurred by a case of lead foot. The state of Texas graciously provides this option and there are several different schools where a qualifying course can be taken. I chose this online version that was actually presented in a humorous and enjoyable format. It included several videos and illustrations of the dangers associated with reactionary driving- where the actions and behaviors of other drivers could cause you to respond in a less than safe way. As the course progressed this seemed to be the prevailing theme, that the most common danger on the road is that of emotional response, where anger, fear, frustration and impatience become the basis for driving decisions. While you may be able to get away with it for quite some time, this kind of behavior places you in a very volatile and precarious position where accidents are probable and punishment of some kind eminent. The course encouraged counting to 10, staying focused on your own course and destination and staying away completely from any reactionary response. As is most clear on the road- this can be a matter of life or death and a functioning vehicle or a dented and totaled one.

The heart really has something to say if the din of tremble inspiring fear and frustration can be suppressed by stillness and rest. It is the heart alone that will have the right course of action, the correct path and the appropriate word, but until the still small voice that it uses is heard, there will only be an atmosphere of danger and probable destruction. On the road and in the car this danger is apparent, but this reactionary behavior will also have a similar effect in relationships, business dealings, and personal gratification.  That learned response of a harsh word or yielding to emotional demands can wreak havoc on a family, bank account, and personal psyche leaving a dented or totaled vehicle with little means of reaching a significant destination.

There is a secret place, a place of rest, though, where the heart volume is turned up and the hubbub of the world’s influence is shut out. It is here is the presence of the Prince of Peace where the right words of faith and love can be formed and the steps of confidence and boldness can be taken towards a righteous and productive end. This place is forever the refuge and the hope for the time of trembling, when sin is so near in an emotional response. All the threats and all the arrows are made to be insignificant in the quietness where the Christ counseled heart is given voice.

Hebrews 12:2 KJV
(2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We had this great wood shop in high school, and I was fortunate enough to take a woodworking class and learn how to build things from rough cut lumber. We could pretty much make anything we chose, and I ended up making a footstool, a waterbed frame and a red oak cradle. The last one was quite an industrious undertaking– for me anyway. I had come up with this idea for a cradle because of my sister’s recent pregnancy and I chose plans that included raised panels and several turned pins for around the top. There was limited time to take lumber that had no uniform or finished surfaces and produce a functional, smooth, and completed cradle. Although it was close, because there was progress made on it every day, and because I had access to the right tools, the wood that had been sitting in the storage room, because of my idea, was transformed by my hands into a beautiful piece of furniture that has been used by many of my relatives and now sits in our living room.
There was a time when we were just a rough piece of wood lacking uniformity and structure. There was an idea, though, in the mind of the Master to take what we once were and craft something really quite special for a specific need. Much would have to be cut away, drilled and turned. As His plans involved an extended process, He would require daily access to our parts with His special tools and resources in order to complete His project. While it would be the wood that would be presented as a finished work, at no point in the process was the wood responsible for anything other than responding to the touch of the Master’s hand.
It’s His work from concept to finish, and as long as given continual access to our hearts and lives, the only thing impeding His progress will be a lack of response to His presence and His touch. May there be an overwhelming response of worship in our hearts an lives today as the One who is the great Finisher takes what He has authored on another step towards completion.