Judges 8:27 Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.

The Father delivers, provides, empowers and, for some reason, the stuff associated with His triumph takes the place of Him in worship.

After three girls I think my Dad was a bit anxious to start doing a few ‘man’ things with the boy that finally came along. When I was just a little fella, he decided to take me on my first hunting expedition, a little drive into the country with shooting something as the plan.  It was winter time, though, and the longer we remained on the Colorado country roads, the more snow began to come down, to the point that we became stuck without means of getting unstuck and back to warmth. Dad had to load me up on his back and set out on foot for help. After walking for some time in the dangerous and threatening conditions, we finally arrived at a house, where warmth and much needed help was found.

Ok, that was what happened, but from the perspective of a first-timer it was just a bit different. First of all, this was a coyote hunt that I was going on with my Dad and I fully expected to get one of those creatures, even as Dad was struggling to somehow get us to safety. I kept asking him if he saw a coyote yet, as he trudged through the snow- really only looking for the lights of a farmhouse. Then, there were these special socks with two stripes around the top of the tubes. I was wearing them for the first time on this hunt, and so they became my ‘coyote socks’. Whether or not we bagged anything, I took something from that adventure that was quite special from my little view. Dad and I had been out doing some manly coyote hunting, and I, for some time, would continue to proudly wear those special coyote hunting socks. Though I had no realization of our perilous circumstances, I had been there and I had something to show for it.

So often there is something quite different going on. God takes us on an adventure where He has to load us up on His back and carry us to safety from dangers that we never fully understand or appreciate. From an experience in which He has brought incredible provision and deliverance, we take from it that we never got the coyote we were after, but we sure do like the socks. He has been holding, protecting, preserving, and caring for us as only He can, and we take what He has provided and give it the attention He was after in giving it to us. Precious time is spent in cleaning, shining, maintaining and being entertained by the items of His provision, while the treasure of His presence and fellowship is set to the side and displaced. Though the blessing was never meant to get the glory He deserves as its provider, it is much easier to just focus on the stuff of the blessing over the way that stuff got to us and the One who made it possible.

We may not get into worshiping an ephod, but there is a similar threat to our relationship with the Father that comes when the pressing of material desires and gratification overtakes the passion that was once so strong for the blessing of His presence. Wearing the socks is most certainly His desire for us in providing them, but for the socks to gratify and identify over the consideration and honor of Him ultimately turns the blessing into a curse. He is so much better than anything He provides. It is to Him alone that all glory, adoration, honor, and attention should be given. So grateful for each blessed touch, there is yet only worship for and commitment to the One who gave it and will be faithful in His loving care and protection to the very end.

Isaiah 41:17 The poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst; I, Jehovah, will answer them, I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. 18 I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. 19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, and the myrtle, and the oil-tree; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together: 20 that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of Jehovah hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

It’s not enough to have created all this stuff. Somehow creation manipulation is often required to break the walls of disbelief and open the way to fellowship. And, as demeaning as that might seem to be for the Creator of the Universe, His love is greater than His insecurity, and He does whatever it takes to answer the cry of the thirsty. He moves a few things around and all of a sudden, these poor that have been living in this incredible world of His creation are able to believe in Him.

It’s wonderful to experience the work of an artist and the objects of a creator’s handiwork. Just looking at them or seeing them work can be most impressive. It’s a completely different thing, though, to watch the creation in progress, rather than just observe the finished work.

I grew up on the planes of Colorado, about 3-4 hours from either Denver or Colorado Springs. Our shopping options were somewhat limited in our small little town, so it was exciting to stop by the larger stores in one of the big cities on our way to our grandparents’ houses in the mountains. I don’t remember where it was exactly, but I remember there was a section in one of those shopping where an artists would have several of his paintings on display. They were beautiful representations of nature- mountain scenes with meadows, flowers and flowing water. It was fun to just walk by and appreciate the incredible detail and likeness of what seemed to me to be closer to a photograph than the work of someone’s hands. Sometimes the artist himself would be there, though, and would paint right there so you could watch. The end result was most impressive, but even more most than that was to see the creator at work and consider that this seemingly normal person could actually produce such a masterpiece. I also remember, though, how incredibly fast the artist was, starting off with a few meaningless free strokes on the canvas, and then quickly filling the whole thing with precisely placed details that seemed to just flow effortlessly from the heart of the maestro. Even though he had his name at the bottom of each drawing, seeing him at work connected him to his creation in a living way the scrawled signature could not replace. Long hours could be spent soaking up the beauty of the finished works, but experiencing the interaction of the man with his paints and brushes in the production of those works was a convincing display of the art’s identification with its creator.

We live in a gallery of God’s creation. There is nowhere we can go to escape the display of His heart expressions of love, and yet it seems that there is often no connection of the Creator with His amazing creation. Though He is the only one who could produce such beauty, it is not until His hand is seen actually manipulating what He has already created that His art is connected and identified to Him. As the thirsty is given water, the sick made whole, and the bound set free in a display of His miracle working power, doubt is transformed to belief in the One who has actually done it all – the ancient gallery and the work in progress. There is an area we will pass this day where the God of Creation has His canvass set up and His paints ready to go. How great it will be to not just pass by His work in pursuit of this or that item in the surrounding stores, but allow transformation to take place in the faith affirming observance of the Master’s hand producing yet another masterpiece.

Psalms 40:5 Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward; They cannot be set in order unto thee; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. (ASV)

How warm and fuzzy and just plain wonderful was that feeling when communication, whether intended or accidental, from that special ‘someone’ made it seem that they might actually be thinking about you? Just a simple look or word spoken can turn any day into a day of hope if it’s coming from someone who is admired and respected. That same expression, however, has little or no effect whatsoever when there is no returning thought, when the person giving it has yet to even be considered. All the winks, nods, words of adoration, and even gifts will be of no effect if there is no appreciation for the one giving them. For the thought to count, it needs positive reception in a heart that is sincerely grateful.

There is no doubt about it; a look has been given, a word has been spoken, and the most incredible gifts have been given. Still, all those expressions of thought have yet to fully impact the one’s for whom they are given. Until the Giver is considered, until His greatness is appreciated, and until there is a passion for His heart, all of His thoughts and their expressions are to no avail. It is the thought that counts, but for the development of relationship with the Father it is more about the thoughts in the heart of the ones receiving those communications. God’s incredible passion for us as His children is never ending, and, according to this passage, His thoughts are also unending, and they are thoughts of goodness. While He is uncompromisingly holy, He has made a way for our failures to be removed far from us, leaving us completely in the realm of His favorable thoughts. When our hearts lead us to a passion or pursuit that would be worthy of punishment and disfavor, the cross and the blood of Christ convert those thoughts once again to thoughts of goodness. According to His thoughts, we are continually the most wonderful offspring and the siblings of His precious firstborn.

There is a very powerful thought that will change the course of history. There is a consideration that will bring a whole new light to life and the possibilities that lie there. In this thought is the elimination of self-doubt, insecurities, hopelessness, loneliness, and despair. The Father is continually full of these thoughts towards us, so the need for them from His perspective has already been met. The only lack is in the heart of the ones for whom they are thought. As soon as there is an appreciation and passion for the Father, His thoughts are given access and His favor makes its way into life as a whole. The entrance of His Word only brings light to the one who highly honors and appreciates the Author. As His praise becomes glorious, so does the appreciation for the One who is Love. As His worship becomes intimate, so grows the realization that this incredible being who has chosen to pursue us, is thinking about us, and, oh, what thoughts. David’s statement of God’s thoughts reveals much more about his own heart than that of God. It is David’s thought that counts. Born and nurtured in a heart that reveres and requires this relationship, the thoughts of His God are not only considered, but embraced and cherished in life transformation.

Our thought will more than count when it is a passionate reception of God’s expressed favor towards us. May all the winks, nods, and ‘sweet somethings’ arrive and reside in the heart that ponders them with affection and love.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

13 Then He went up the hill; and those whom He Himself chose He called, and they came to Him.
Mark 3:13 (WEY)

19 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will.
John 5:19-21 (ASV)

I really didn’t realize what was going on at the time, because often I failed to regard what Mom and Dad were doing as all that significant. Growing up, they were making Godly choices, though, with regard to every aspect of our lives- the way we dressed, talked, spent our money, ate, had fun and worshiped God. While there were certain overall choices that were not left up to us (where we would live, whether or not we would go to church, how we treated each other), there were many things, like toys to play with, books to read, and friends to hang out with, that they let us choose on our own, within reason. Though many areas of choice were left to us, there were always examples being lived out before us in the lives of our parents that greatly influenced our perspective and ultimate choices in all of these areas. Whenever any life choice is being made even to this day, there is an internal reference being made to what Mom or Dad would do in that situation. Though the choices are completely mine, there are very few areas that haven’t been touched in some way by what was and is being seen in my parents.

Something that has also been so precious with regard to my parents through the years is their complete support and encouragement of major choices I’ve made. Though I’m sure they’ve not been without some very strong feelings about where I’ve gone and what I’ve done, they’ve never dictated to me exactly what it was I should do. They just continued to live out an example before me. My successes and failures haven’t been due to their dictation, but theirs has always been a great example of the way to a righteous and Godly life.

In pursuit of a God who is wisdom and holds all of creation in His hand, it can seem like He should dictate to us our every move and every choice. I found it interesting, though, in these two passages about Jesus, that the choice of who he would hang out with and to whom He would give life was totally up to Him. I had always understood what Jesus said here to mean that He would somehow get His direction for every move by what He got directly from His Father for that moment. It clearly says, though, that Jesus confidently made choices according to His own will after observing how His Father made choices. I believe the Father was completely in support of every choice made by Jesus according to His own will, and in fact the final act of Jesus with regard to His death on the cross was even left up to Him. There was an overriding purpose, but the details were left up to Him, although He could do nothing without being influenced by the incredible example of His Father. Though choices were His alone, their success had everything to do with His exposure to what He saw so consistently in the One He passionately loved.

There are so many choices to be made. Every day is full of decisions that will determine our success or failure in life. Though there will be times when the overall purpose for our life in Christ may necessitate something that we wouldn’t necessarily like, most of the time there can be great confidence in knowing our choices are supported and encouraged by the One who knows our every move. Rather than dictating every move to us, He wants to be the example of wisdom that is ever before us to be observed and emulated. The sounds produced by the student musician’s movements and expression will always be his alone, but how much greater their opportunity for beauty when there has been intense instruction from and observation of the virtuoso. So our way can be in ‘like manner’ as His, bringing glory to and directly reflecting the One who has been our great and ever-present example.

Psalms 107:31-32 KJV Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (32) Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

How sweet and how wonderful is the place of intimacy that is our personal refuge in the presence of the Lord. Moses must have valued so highly His moments of personal exposure to the glory of God. The burning bush, the mountain encounter, and each personal communication from Almighty God surely made him to feel the need to pursue this relationship to the exclusion of all others. As precious as each of those moments was for Moses, however, there was a purpose in them that went beyond the personal one on one to how that encounter would affect the people. Moses’ relationship with God found its greatest significance when he took it to the congregation, when what He experienced alone with God was made to impact a nation and a world. His solitude with God, while necessary for personal revelation, was in need of people encounters for its continuance. He understood this so much so that when God was ready to destroy the people for their sinning, Moses spoke passionately about their preservation as if it were necessary for his own. His purpose in God had become directly connected to his purpose in the congregation.

David also seemed to have an understanding that his personal relationship was in need of those times in the congregation. Although he was able to acknowledge the involvement of God from the magnitude of creation to each personal conflict, it was those moments in the congregation that brought gladness to his heart and a joyous response. Though he lived one of the greatest examples of personal nearness to God, his fulfilled purpose was always found in the congregation, honoring, together with others, the faithfulness of His God.

There is a great need for the early morning encounters, even those moments before sleep is completely over. The times alone with God in His Word are essential for a life that will represent Him in holiness and wisdom. For every personal moment of intimacy with God, however, there is a congregational purpose. The heart of the Father is in continual pursuit of all those He’s created, and any pursuit of Him will lead to the place where they gather. For anyone determined to worship the Father in spirit and in truth, there will be a mentor in David, the one whose heart was after God. To follow him would mean a frequent arrival in the congregation where His God was magnified in a way his personal encounters could not replace.

There is a transforming encounter with an incredible God for today. It’s in the secret place where we are preserved, protected, and provided for by the Most High. For every personal exposure to His face and His glory, though, there is a time in the congregation where together with others and their proclaimed victories, Jesus name will be magnified once again. The personal is so precious, but the congregation gives it a purpose of eternal proportions it will never know on its own.

Psalms 111:1 KJV Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

Psalms 149:1 KJV Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.Psalms 19:14 (KJV)

Especially since 9/11 there is a stringent security process through which you must pass in order to be a passenger on a commercial flight. Special scanning machines look through cases, clothes, and even mettle to determine the nature of the content within. Why is this so necessary? Because the criminal intent of a passenger can be subverted if what he has concealed in his luggage can be seen. My brother-in-law works for Homeland Security in the Tulsa airport, and he said that color codes represent various densities and shapes as objects pass through the scanner. He showed me a picture of one bag that had contained a loaded pistol of a woman that claimed she had just forgotten to remove it upon arrival at the airport. You could clearly see the pistol’s shape outlined in a color that set it apart from the other objects in her carry-on.

For every unrighteous activity there is an available screening process that is guaranteed to subvert its action. For those whose desire it is to be free of destructive and unholy behaviors there is an option to have all that is concealed within our luggage revealed in the sight of our Father. Although He already sees all and knows each of our hearts, when this is realized and brought to light in the wonder of His presence, there is an opportunity for His security to remove and destroy all those things that are deemed dangerous. Even those things we might have overlooked or just forgotten will be readily brought to light in His sight and made to be unacceptable not only to Him, but to us. While every flight taken without screening has great risk of evil actions, the one that has gone through the screening and removal procedure has very little potential for danger. Where the heart no longer conceals any dangerous substance, and where it has been allowed to undergo the Master’s acceptance or rejection, there will be a safe, joyful, and peaceful passage to our place of productivity in the Kingdom.

The continual place of worship, where an awareness of the Father’s screening is a passionate choice for every moment, is the way to holiness and righteousness for this day. Actions originate in the heart and where their substance is revealed in its shapes and colors, the Father’s acceptance will impact and greatly affect them. May His seeing expose all potential danger in the heart and may our passage be one without mishap to the place of righteousness where the fruit is all good.

John 14:10-13 KJV  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.  (11)  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.  (12)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  (13)  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

They had come with priceless instruments badly in need of repair that could only be entrusted to the hands of the old master luthier, the one who had, throughout his long life, set himself apart from all others in his ability to create and repair the finest of musical instruments. His name alone carried a reputation of the one who could take a few pieces of rough cut wood and with unmatched skill produce the most beautiful and best sounding tool for musical production. For the damaged or broken instrument that had sadly developed cracks or buzzes he was also known for bringing it to a condition that was even better than when it was new. They came with great expectation of meeting the old man and placing their prized possessions in his loving hands or commissioning a new creation from him.

Upon arriving at the door of his little shop, however, they were met with great disappointment. Rather than the image of the old man behind the counter, there stood a young boy not yet fully grown. The master had been called away for an extended far away visit and would not be able to actually touch their instruments with his own hands. He had, however, left his grandson in his stead to carry on his business. A hand written notice hung on the wall behind the counter signed by the maestro himself indicating his full trust in the young man that stood before them. He asked that they trust their treasures in his hands just as if it were the master himself. How could they do this, though? It was impossible to believe that the experience and skill of the master that had been proven through a lifetime could begin to be emulated in such a young man.

Though what they saw appeared to be just a immature and inexperienced young man, what could not been seen was all the old man had put into him. From the time he could just begin playing with toys, there was a hammer in his hand as he helped Poppy in his shop. Every trick, every method, every application of the tools to the wood had been seen thousands of times and he himself had done all of them himself on instruments that had already been ‘touched’ by the master. Many left right away, not willing to leave their treasures in the hands of the young man, but for those who trusted the words of the master there was a discovery that, while in a different body, the master, with all of his skill and ability, indeed was in his grandson. All of the work that would come from the young man’s hands would directly represent and validate the work and the word of the master himself. The name placed on the work would remain the same and would in fact grow in fame as it became magnified through the grandson.

For those who have spent time in the shop with the Master, for those who have seen Him work, listened to His voice, and applied their own hands to what they’ve seen, there is a residence of the Master within. His works will come out and it will be His name and His reputation that is magnified and propagated. Though outward appearances may indicate otherwise, He has hand-written a note stating very clearly the investment that’s been made in his offspring and the confidence He has in their ability to do His works and even greater. As those works are produced, belief will be the result in the Master Himself as His life and His ability are transmitted through the hands of those who have lived in His presence and learned to emulate His love and work of creation and restoration.

John 5:19-20 KJV  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.  (20)  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

Joshua 1:8 KJV  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

When our oldest son was young he had a form of epilepsy that caused him to have nocturnal seizures. I can remember the first time he had a grand mall seizure we were completely shaken not really knowing what was going on and not understanding the extent of his condition. We took him immediately to the emergency room where they took way too long to treat what we thought should have been a first priority. They pretty much just referred us to a specialist the next day where we discovered there was very little to be concerned about as the experience would only be at night and he would outgrow the condition by his teens. They determined this by a scan they did of his brain waves they were able to read from a wide sheet of paper on which they were recorded. There were apparently several different layers of brain activity represented by different waves that crossed the paper. We learned that throughout the brain there is a continuous flow of wave activity that is directly affected by outside influence and in turn directly affects every aspect of the experience of life.

There is something very powerful about this passage from Joshua in which the words from the heart of God are made to occupy the mouth, the mind and the heart. More than just a religious incantation, there is a direct effect upon the activity of the brain, where the sounds of heaven are made to directly affect the frequency of the brain’s waves, causing it to become ‘glory-effected’. As this transformation takes place– the sound waves of the mouth affecting and realigning the brain waves– the mind can begin to agree and cooperate with the wisdom and understanding of God. These ‘waves of glory’ will bring peace, rest, health, security, hope, etc. to a life where the sounds of defeat and despair once dominated. The way to a faith-filled life is as near as the mouth and all that’s required is to fill it with glory sounds– God’s will expressed in His Word.

Romans 10:8 KJV  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Psalms 89:15 KJV  Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

Eph 2:10 (KJV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2 Cor 4:18 (KJV)
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I don’t personally endorse the practice of makeovers, but it’s apparent that God is definitely in the makeover business. He likes taking an image that is very much in need of improvement, and applying exactly what is necessary to not only restore, but bring a whole new realm of beauty and productivity.
Maybe you’ve seen the show where they take someone who is very unattractive and by cutting here, tucking there, removing this and replacing that, they totally reform the person’s image, enabling him/her to explore new realms of social respect, admiration, and acceptance. Where once they had been avoided and ignored, they are now not only noticed, but also sought out. Straightened and replaced teeth, flattened stomachs, and adjusted facial features contribute to someone who is almost completely unrecognizable for who they had once been. So frustrated with what they had been given or the person they had become, they are willing to submit completely to the regimen, diet, and knife of someone who gives them a promise of improved life they will enjoy and be proud of.

While it really is amazing what can be done to someone’s physical appearance, every change that can be made to the human body is but a temporal improvement. On the other hand, for all those who are willing to give up who they’ve seen themselves to be for the promise of life in Christ, there is an opportunity to experience a transformation that will be effective way beyond our time here on this earth. This makeover, though, will require complete acceptance and participation on the part of the recipient. Things will have to be removed, adjusted and reformed according to the design of the Master, and the tools He uses have already been provided in His Word. By looking at those unseen promises He’s given us instead of the debilitating and restrictive temporal elements that are so apparent to the natural eye, we get to step beyond the limitations of this world and into the realm of eternal acceptance provided by our heavenly makeover in Christ.

There is this great expectation and assurance of safety and peace in the presence of the Lord. There is, however, something most precious about the ominous threatening of an enemy or distressing life predicament. The greater the crises and the louder the threatening shouts, the more intense can be the passionate cry for help. Relationships are established and reestablished with those seen as the source of help in ways that would never otherwise take place as soon as the barrel is empty and defenses are penetrated. Many of the songs from the Psalms and prophecies from the prophets (intense advances in God-awareness) are inspired and motivated by a time of great difficulty. How great and oftentimes essential is the onset of a trial in turning the head and the heart back towards the Source of help and protection?

At the time when Kim and I were first married and living in Broken Arrow, OK, I was working various jobs that required the use of a Datsun diesel pickup. This was a most dependable vehicle in which I logged many, many miles, but owning any vehicle means that at some point there will be some maintenance and repair required if it is to continue getting you down the road. As long as all the meters are at normal and no scary noises or shakes are taking place, everything’s good to go and you just make the frequent stop at the gas station. But, at some point parts wear out and there is just a need for some care. This was indeed the case for me and my Datsun, and while I was able to perform certain levels of auto maintenance and repair, there were many breakdowns that required more expertise and equipment than I had.

This was how I came to know, cry out to, and greatly appreciate John, someone I met at the paper drop for a paper route I had early in the mornings. He had his own garage set up with all the air tools necessary for any job my truck was in need of and a simple inquiry about how to perform some repair more often than not ended up over at John’s with him demonstrating how it was done. A relationship developed because of this dependence that for me was most rewarding for my business, but especially for a friendship with someone who became one of my closest friends during that time. His willingness to help me out whenever I came to him with a need provided many bonding times that otherwise would never have occurred. Not only was he gifted with fixing things, but he also had strong opinions along with an ability to express them and our times together were always informative and stimulating. Although vehicle failure was certainly not something I would look forward to or anxiously anticipate, there was a friendship treasure that came directly from this time that made me incredibly grateful for whatever it took to bring us together.

While there is a knowing of the Father that can take place through every moment, there is something about the times when peril is imminent and something is beyond our means of fixing it that brings us to His side with greatly intensified passion. Rather than somehow feeling separated from Him or compromised in faith towards Him, there is an opportunity in the greatest of attacks to discover a depth of relationship that would have never been developed without the difficulty. If He is but sought out over other acquaintances for the help that only He can provide, there will not only be a resolution to the problem, but an incredible bonding that takes place as a result of the time spent with a focus on Him alone. No matter the period of life we’re going through, it is an opportunity for increasing a relationship with the One who is looking forward to any cry for help with a great desire to not only meet the need, but to also just be there with us through it all. He can be the One who meets us at every awakening with an anticipation of repair and relationship.

Psalms 17:15 CEV

(15) I am innocent, LORD, and I will see your face! When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are.