Therefore, We Do Not Lose Heart…

I read 2 Corinthians 4 (included below) last night in the NKJV and the Amplified.  I read it again this morning in an attempt to saturate my heart with its truth.  There is so much here to encourage and strengthen us to live (and labor) for His glory.  Suffering will come but the Lord is and will be our support.  He is our Keeper and our shade at our right hand.  He will see us through.  

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.—Colossians 3:2-4

Beloved…Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. The things of the earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3 18

2 Corinthians 4

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Cast Down but Unconquered

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Seeing the Invisible

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

This Mess is So Big And So Deep and So Tall...

 19 “So we departed from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw on the way to the mountains of the Amorites, as the LORD our God had commanded us. Then we came to Kadesh Barnea. 20 And I said to you, ‘You have come to the mountains of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. 21 Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’

22 “And every one of you came near to me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, and let them search out the land for us, and bring back word to us of the way by which we should go up, and of the cities into which we shall come.’

23 “The plan pleased me well; so I took twelve of your men, one man from each tribe. 24 And they departed and went up into the mountains, and came to the Valley of Eshcol, and spied it out. 25 They also took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us; and they brought back word to us, saying, ‘It is a good land which the LORD our God is giving us.’

26 “Nevertheless you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the LORD your God; 27 and you complained in your tents, and said, ‘Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of  Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. 28 Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ’

29 “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 30 The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ 32 Yet, for all that, you did not believe the LORD your God, 33 who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day—Deuteronomy 1:19-33

Verse 28 (bolded) brought to mind the following Dr. Seuss quote because it seemed to express the same discouragement of heart that my four year old self felt for the fish and the children when the story was first read to me.  (Also because very often my first response when something goes awry in my life is to try to hold on to some measure of control... Cleaning gives me that illusion.)

“And this mess is so big 

And so deep and so tall, 

We cannot pick it up. 

There is no way at all!”

― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

Beloved, read Moses’ encouraging response in vs 29. The Israelites didn’t listen at the time, but that is no reason why we shouldn’t.  Paul in 1 Corinthians tells us that these things were for our example... for our admonition. 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:16-17

Praying today that the Spirit of God uses the word of God to direct my heart to respond in faith and not fear at the beginning of every trial I face.  To remember, as Moses reminded the people, that in all my trials the Lord goes before me, fights for me and carries me as a man carries his son.  He is so very faithful.  

Whenever I Am Afraid, I Will Trust in You…

 And in that day you will say:

“O LORD, I will praise You;

Though You were angry with me,

Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.

2 Behold, God is my salvation,

I will trust and not be afraid;

‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song;

He also has become my salvation.’ ”

3 Therefore with joy you will draw water

From the wells of salvation.—Isaiah 12:1-3

My heart sings this song this morning in concert with countless other faithful believers both past and present.  In the day of my salvation, my entire being was filled with the goodness and greatness of His love and mercy toward me. In a moment, I was no longer destined for wrath but for eternal life in Christ, His Son.  His anger was turned away, and His forgiveness and comfort surrounded me. 

Beloved…no matter what is in front of us, our hope is in God, who sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.  

Fear is cast out as His love fills and is perfected in our hearts. Matthew Henry writes that faith in God is a sovereign remedy against tormenting fears. 

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.—John 1:16

Beloved…The living God is in us, is with us and goes before us. AND He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.  Surrender to His fullness…Grace upon Grace will be with you. 

The best for us as believers is truly yet to come. 

3 Whenever I am afraid,

I will trust in You.

4 In God (I will praise His word),

In God I have put my trust;

I will not fear.

What can flesh do to me?

5 All day they twist my words;

All their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They gather together,

They hide, they mark my steps,

When they lie in wait for my life.

7 Shall they escape by iniquity?

In anger cast down the peoples, O God!

8 You number my wanderings;

Put my tears into Your bottle;

Are they not in Your book?

9 When I cry out to You,

Then my enemies will turn back;

This I know, because God is for me.

10 In God (I will praise His word),

In the LORD (I will praise His word),

11 In God I have put my trust;

I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God;

I will render praises to You,

13 For You have delivered my soul from death.

Have You not kept my feet from falling,

That I may walk before God

In the light of the living?—Psalm 56:3-13

Beauty for Ashes…

 1 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed,

As when at first He lightly esteemed

The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

And afterward more heavily oppressed her,

By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,

In Galilee of the Gentiles.

2 The people who walked in darkness

Have seen a great light;

Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,

Upon them a light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation

And increased its joy;

They rejoice before You

According to the joy of harvest,

As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4 For You have broken the yoke of his burden

And the staff of his shoulder,

The rod of his oppressor,

As in the day of Midian.

5 For every warrior's sandal from the noisy battle,

And garments rolled in blood,

Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.

6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.—Isaiah 9:1-7

As I read the verses above my heart rejoiced!  I was one of those peoples who ONCE walked in darkness!  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved me, even when I was dead in trespasses and sin, made ME alive together with His Son.  He redeemed my life from destruction.  The Morning Star has risen in my heart bringing His light and His hope to my entire being. What a difference my Jesus has made in my life. I no longer live in the land of the shadow of death.  The light of life lives in my heart.  My darkness has become light and my earthly death will bring me into His presence forever. Beloved, He has come…

To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”—Isaiah 61:4

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.—Psalm 30:11-12

Father…May the government of my life be on Your shoulders. You are my Wonderful Jesus…my Counselor, my Mighty God,

my Everlasting Father, and my Prince of Peace.

Holy Longings…

 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.—1 Corinthians 16:13

I can never pass up this verse without a holy longing to see it lived out in my own life.  

By His Spirit who dwells in me I want to live…

Watchful and expectant in the light of my Jesus’ imminent return…

Believing God…firm in my faith…immovable…persevering and persisting…abounding in His love and in His work.

Bravely without fear knowing that He dwells in me and is with me.  

Strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Strengthened with all might, ACCORDING to HIS glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.

Owing no one anything but love because love is the fulfillment of the law.  

Oh Father…May all I do and say be motivated by the love You have poured out in my heart.   

Last Days Encouragement…

 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

55 "O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.—1 Corinthians 15:50-58

As a believer in Jesus Christ, we are not destined for wrath. Verses 50-57 outline our victory and our subsequent destiny.  This ball of dirt is not our home.  We can reach forward and press on toward what is ahead. We fight a battle that has already been won. Our salvation is now nearer than when we first believed.  Truly, someday soon, we will see our God’s face in righteousness and be satisfied when we awake in His likeness. 

THEREFORE…

my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Beloved…nothing is in vain in the Lord.  Because this IS true…Live here in the shadow of His wing and in the light of His love. Live here in the light of the reality of eternity.  Do the next right thing.  Be faithful to do what He has called you to do and trust Him with the results.  Lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

“In God’s world, for those who are in earnest, there is no failure. No work truly done, no word earnestly spoken, no sacrifice freely made, was ever made in vain.” F. W. Robertson

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.—2 Timothy 4:7-8

A Place for Refuge…

For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.—Exodus 40:38

Lord...May Your divine Presence today guide and direct my path.  May it fill me with Your grace and strength and enable me to go from strength to strength being a shelter and a soft place to fall for each member of my family.  

 ❤️❤️

And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory [shall be] a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.—Isaiah 4:5-6

❤️❤️

In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.—Ps 78:14

Underneath Are His Everlasting Arms…

 26 "There is none like the God of Jeshurun (Israel),

Who rides the heavens to your help,

And through the skies in His majestic glory.

27 "The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place,

And underneath are the everlasting arms;

He drove out the enemy from before you,

And said, ‘Destroy!'—Deuteronomy 33:26-27 AMP

Father...if the heavens are the work of your fingers, what must be the strength and power of Your everlasting arms??

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust."...

He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler.—Psalm 91:1-2;4

—You, my God, are my strong habitation to which I can continually resort.  

—You are my Owner and Protector

—You are the shield of my help

—You uphold me with Your righteous right hand

—You keep my faith from failing and my spirit from sinking.

Your merciful kindness toward me, Father, is great and Your grace is sufficient.  I am more than a conqueror through You who loves me. 

—You, my Father in Heaven, have strong, everlasting arms, and You will never let them fall or fail. 

The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him,

Who shelters him all the day long;

And he shall dwell between His shoulders."—Deuteronomy 33:12

28 Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the LORD,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

29 He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall,

31 But those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:28-31

16 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;

Let such as love Your salvation say continually,

“The LORD be magnified!”

17 But I am poor and needy;

Yet the LORD thinks upon me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

Do not delay, O my God.—Psalm 40:16-17

Leaning Upon Her Beloved….

Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved?--Song of Solomon 8:5

O Father, may this be said of me!  Who better for me to lean on then You, the One who has the words to eternal life...who better to cleave unto than unto Your Son who makes roads in the wilderness and rivers in the deserts.  Help me, O God, to hearken and consider, to incline my ear to You and allow You to be my perfect Peace...my all in all.  Let me not trust in man but in You, my Father, who hears me, helps me and fights my battles.  You are my Hope, my Maker, my Husband, my Redeemer and my Friend...You, Father, are my God over everything.  You place Your banner of love over me and cover me in Your righteousness. 

You are my King who greatly desires me...You are my Lord and I worship You.  I am your beloved, leaning on your bosom, and You are mine.  Your grace is sufficient for me and Your strength is made perfect in weakness. You who make all things new...You who are my strength in weakness...You who brings beauty from ashes....You who can make my darkest night light about me and my greatest grief a spring...it is YOU who are my God! 

You, my mighty God, are in the very midst of me!  You will save me...You will rejoice over me with gladness.  You will quiet me with Your love and with singing You will "joy" over me.

Without Love, I am Nothing…

 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail;—1 Corinthians 13:4-8

These words from 1 Corinthians 13 always have the effect of blowing my pride out of the water, so to speak. They make me collapse on the inside because they confront me with my insufficiency.  That, however, is such a good thing! I AM INSUFFICIENT!  My God, thankfully, is not and He is my Helper. 

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.—2 Corinthians 9:8

To be a Christian is to first and foremost love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love is the bond of perfection. Love is the debt that is always owed.  It is the one thing “we” can do to fulfill the law completely.   As believers, love for Christ must be the motivating force behind all that we do and all that we say. 

It would be great if this kind of self-sacrificing love were our natural response toward others. Unfortunately, it is not. In fact, we don't even often have loving feelings toward those around us. Most of the time our thoughts are on how they can love us. Since their thoughts are probably on themselves also, we are at an impasse. Biblical love, however, is a command. Our response therefore, is a matter of obedience.

As was said earlier, in and of ourselves this kind of love is impossible.  With God, however, all things are possible. When we believe, His love is poured out in our hearts by His Spirit who now dwells in us.  It is ONLY by HIS love that we can love others as He loves us.  Without His love we are nothing and can do nothing good.  

If I feel myself going awry during the day, it is ALWAYS helpful for me to remember love...to pray and surrender what “I WANT” and allow the Spirit of God to do what I cannot - love the precious people around me with His love.  

Beloved, by His Spirit love one another fervently; love never fails because love is of God.   When we walk in love, we walk in His perfect will and shine like lights in a dark world.  When we walk in love, we also walk effectively, not only temporally but also eternally.  I love thinking on that.  Loving others with God’s love has eternal consequences.   God’s love reaches beyond this world and into eternity.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.—1 Corinthians 13:2

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.—Romans 13:8-10

Hear the Voice of Truth…

 The Beloved

1 Behold, you are fair, my love!

Behold, you are fair!

You have dove's eyes behind your veil.

Your hair is like a flock of goats,

Going down from Mount Gilead.

2 Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep

Which have come up from the washing,

Every one of which bears twins,

And none is barren among them.

3 Your lips are like a strand of scarlet,

And your mouth is lovely.

Your temples behind your veil

Are like a piece of pomegranate.

4 Your neck is like the tower of David,

Built for an armory,

On which hang a thousand bucklers,

All shields of mighty men.

5 Your two breasts are like two fawns,

Twins of a gazelle,

Which feed among the lilies.

6 Until the day breaks

And the shadows flee away,

I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh

And to the hill of frankincense.

7 You are all fair, my love,

And there is no spot in you.—Song of Solomon 4:1-7

Beloved…Hear the words of your Bridegroom, Jesus, as He praises Your beauty and extolls your graces. You, as a believer, are His lovely bride and His words to you are truth.  Hold them in your heart and rest in His perfect love.  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.—Ephesians 1:3-6

So often we listen to the self-serving and fickle voices of those around us or worse, the ugly, condemning voices in our own heads that the voice of God is drowned out and we become discouraged and disheartened.  Beloved…Hear Him!  He is the Voice of Truth.  Fill your mind, heart and soul with His precious word. It will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.