October 18: Tuesday Refocus

“The only haven of safety is to have no other will, no other wisdom than to follow the Lord wherever He leads.  Let this then be the first step: to abandon ourselves and devote the whole energy of our minds to the service of God.” - John Calvin

We think that safety is removing risk, and building up places of protection, both literally and figuratively. But Jesus says, ‘I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:28).’ Safety is not a place but a Person.

We think we are safe when we protect our lives, Jesus says we are safe when we lay down our lives (Matthew 16:25). We think that we are safe when we let go of the things that cause us pain, Jesus invites us to carry a cross (Matthew 16:24). We think that we are safe when our lives are free of burden, Jesus says that his burden is light (Matthew 11:30). If we could truly rest in the safety and security of Christ, how unreservedly we would give ourselves to His service.

Lord, let us rest in You. Giving ourselves over in service and surrender. In Christ’s name, amen.

Safe,

AB

September 22: Tuesday Refocus

‘My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, And my mouth will praise You with joyful lips,’ Psalm 63:5

On this side of eternity, we glimpse and taste that God is the Satisfier of our souls. Even the smallest revelation of God’s heart is met with worshipful response, ‘…my mouth will praise You with joyful lips…’ How much greater the response when we no longer glimpse, but see Him as He is (1 Jn 3:2)?

‘When I remember You upon my bed, And meditate on You in the watches of the night; for You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings, I will sing for joy.’ Psalm 63:6-7

The moments between lying down and falling asleep are vulnerable, both physically and mentally. Perhaps that is why so many of us fill that space with anything but silence. But the Psalmist tells us that we can find peace and a song when our hearts turn toward the One who allows us to live and sleep in safety and shelter (Ps 4:8).

‘My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.’ Psalm 63:8

We must cling (hold on tightly to), but God upholds (confirm or support, maintain) with a single hand. As Elisabeth Elliot reminds us, even as we sleep we can ‘Leave it all in the Hands that were wounded for you.’

Resting,

AB

August 4: Tuesday Refocus

‘Heavenly Father, If I should suffer need, and go unclothed, and be in poverty, make my heart prize Thy love, know it, be constrained by it, though I be denied all blessings.  It is Thy mercy to afflict and try me with wants, for by these trials I see my sins, and desire severance from them.  Let me willingly accept misery, sorrows, temptations, if I can thereby feel sin as the greatest evil, and be delivered from it with gratitude to Thee, acknowledging this as the highest testimony of Thy love.’ – Valley of Vision

I am never more aware I am a citizen of another Kingdom than when I search for security, belonging, wealth, and reward from the kingdom of this world.  Jesus says those who seek an earthly reward receive just that (Matt 6:1, 2, 5, 16).  I find all the promises of this earthly kingdom like chasing after the wind (Ecc 1:14), in comparison to the blessing of living in the Kingdom of God:

‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…’ Ephesians 1:3

Lord, whether poverty or wealth, let the kingdom of this world lift our eyes to You. You are the Giver of every good and perfect gift and the One we truly desire.  In Your name, amen.

Resting,

AB

May 5: Tuesday Refocus

‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.’ PS 27:1-3

No enemy is a match for the nearness of the saving, stronghold that is Christ. The threats may be real, the circumstance may not change, the darkness may be oppressive but ‘…in Your light do we see light (Ps 36:9).’ His light shifts my perspective and reorients my desires…

‘One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple. For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.’ PS 27:4-5

Oh, to have the same heart cry as the Psalmist - an awareness of reality, and a fixation on the beauty of the Savior.

Let it be so, Lord. Amen.

Desiring,

AB