LookingtoJesus

JANUARY 7

Psalm 5

Psalm 5:7, “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.”

As a hospice chaplain, I’ve visited dozens of homes in recent years.  It is a unique experience to go to the home of new folks you haven’t met before.  But in nearly all cases, I’ve received a warm welcome.  It’d be an entirely different scenario than going to the home of someone I’ve harmed or offended, in which case I wouldn’t expect a hospitable situation.

How is it that we, as those who have sinned against God, can then find the freedom, and even a welcome invitation, to enter into the Lord’s presence in prayer?  The Psalmist, as one having faith in God, understood the invitation to be because of the “abundance of steadfast love.”  The phrase “steadfast love” speaks to God’s loyal and unchanging love for His people.  No matter how imperfect they were, God’s love for them didn’t change.  That overflowing love worked to open the door.

Hebrews 4:16 invites us to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  That confidence is not based on who we are or anything we’ve done, but on the fact that in Jesus, we have a high priest who passed through the heavens (Hebrews 4:14).  He who lovingly died for our sins, and then ascended to the right hand of God, has worked to impart to us His own righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).  He who cares for us bids us cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).  Because of His amazing love, He lovingly welcomes us in with open arms.

“I will come into thy sanctuary, just a child into his father’s house.”—Charles Spurgeon

Application questions:  How’s your prayer life?  Take time to consider the amazing privilege that Jesus has availed to you in giving you the freedom to enter into God’s presence in prayer!  Is there some known and unconfessed sin holding you back?  Prayer is the antidote for that as well (1 John 1:9).

JANUARY 6

Psalm 4

Psalm 4:4, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.”

One of the great mysteries of our time is the fact that so many of our fellow citizens are unhappy and even miserable despite living in the most free and prosperous country in the world’s history.  Though most live according to a “whatever makes you happy” way of thinking, one in five Americans consider themselves “very dissatisfied” with their lives.

A part of the problem is the thinking that happiness can be had apart from God.  In that respect, it’s important to distinguish between happiness and joy.  Happiness is related to the word “happenstance” and has to do with one’s circumstances.  The happiness associated with pleasant circumstances is elusive and temporary, and doesn’t reach to one’s heart.  Joy, on the other hand, is sourced in God and can therefore be experienced at any time and in any circumstance. The Psalmist possessed joy in his heart in his relationship with God.  Even more than any joy he might have experienced in any kind of prosperity. 

Fanny Crosby lost her sight when she was only 6 weeks old. She lived into her nineties, composing thousands of beloved hymns. On her 92nd birthday she cheerfully said, “If in all the world you can find a happier person than I am, do bring him to me. I should like to shake his hand.”  What enabled Fanny Crosby to experience such joy in the face of what many would term a “tragedy”? At an early age she chose to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). In fact, Fanny carried out a resolution she made when she was only 8 years old: “How many blessings I enjoy that other people don’t. To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot and I won’t.”  She deliberately chose and determined, by the Spirit, to rejoice in the Lord.  Let’s do the same.

True and lasting joy of heart comes from God.

Application questions: Would others consider you a joyful person?  Do you look at the fame or fortune that others possess with envy, or are you content in the blessings you now possess in Jesus?  What steps can you take to focus on finding joy in Jesus?

JANUARY 3

Psalm 3

Psalm 3:3, “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”

The Psalm tells us of its context.  David had fled from his son, Absalom, who formed a conspiracy to take away not only David’s crown, but his life.  One can only imagine the distress and despair that David must have experienced.

We all face difficult circumstances, in which troubles, or even people, appear to be working against our wellbeing.  David invested his trust in God and in His ability to protect him.  The Lord was a shield about him.  I was recently at the dentist for a root canal.  When it came time for x-rays, the assistant laid a lead blanket over me, the purpose of which was to protect my vital parts from radiation.  David had the Lord Himself for a shield, but not just for a part of his body or temporarily.  The word in the original speaks of a protection all around—above, beneath, around, without and within.

The Lord was also David’s glory.  Some place confidence in their looks, intelligence, wealth, power or prestige.  David’s security and worth were founded in God.  Many were against him, but they were no match for God omnipotent (Psalm 3:1-2).  Imagine how downcast David must have been.  But then it was the Lord who lifted his head, much as a flower is lifted up towards the sun. 

Two key words made the difference in David’s situation—“But you (Psalm 3:3)!”  You’ve your own struggles and to the extent that you focus on them, you’ll despair.  But in Jesus, you’ve a guardian of your soul, who is well able to impart both peace and joy to your heart (1 Peter 2:25; Philippians 4:1, 6-8).

“Oh!  What a shield is God for His people!  He wards off the fiery darts from Satan from beneath, and the storms of trials from above, while, at the same instant, he speaks peace to the tempest within the breast.”  — Charles Spurgeon

Application questions: What was your response the last time you found yourself in an overwhelming situation?  How can reminding yourself that God is a shield about you help?

JANUARY 2

Psalm 2

Psalm 2:1, “Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain?”

There’s lots of chaos in the world, with many nations fighting and even talk of a third World War.  Where is it all headed?

Psalm 2 speaks of rulers plotting against God’s anointed, referring to the nations that opposed Israel during David’s reign. David wrote to highlight the folly of rebelling against God’s chosen ruler. However, the Psalm extends beyond David’s time, as evidenced by the seven times it is referenced in the New Testament. Peter, for instance, quoted it in Acts 4:25-27 to describe the rejection to Jesus, God’s anointed ruler.

Psalm 2 teaches several important truths.  The nations and rulers are a part of a long-standing war against God (Psalm 2:1-3).  And, though they rage against Him, they are as mere pawns in His plan (Daniel 2:21, 4:25).  God is sovereign over all (Psalm 2:4-9).  His plan to judge all rebels will be fulfilled and Jesus will reign.  Therefore, the time is now to humbly submit to Him, by receiving Him by faith as Lord and Savior (John 1:12).  Rejecting him brings peril, as “His wrath is quickly kindled” (Psalm 2:12).  As Matthew Henry put it, “Those who don’t bow, will break!”

“So that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” –Philippians 2:10-11

Application questions: Does the news of what’s happening in the world cause you anxiety?  How much confidence do you have in God’s ability to fulfill His promises?  Are you even now trusting Him with what’s going on in your own life?

JANUARY 1

Psalm 1

Psalm 1:3, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does, he prospers.”

Famous for its fishing, the Deschutes River lies not too far to the west of here.  From its headwaters in the Cascade Mountains, it flows 250 miles north to its confluence with the Columbia River.  Whereas tree-covered mountains encompass its upper reaches; an arid high desert landscape characterizes its lower half.  I’ve fished in the lower portion of the river many times.  It has a beauty all its own, the blue of the river and green ribbon of bank-side vegetation, set against the backdrop of the barren golden hills which hem the river’s course.

Trees and green vegetation line the riverbank because that’s the only place where they can find sufficient hydration.  Long after the sweltering summer heat has vanquished the green and life from the surrounding hills, the trees along the river live on.  Year after year.  Season after season.  Rain or no rain.  This is despite their placement in a harsh environment.  The one meditating on the word is likened to a tree planted by streams of water, as the Word imparts both necessary sustenance and prosperous fruit-bearing.

A young man spoke to me of the challenges associated with staying on course, in his walk, amidst various distractions and disappointments.  Amidst such trials, it is time in the Word that is the determining factor for one’s spiritual health and growth.  You’ve gotten off to a good start in this new year in reading through this wonderful psalm.  Work to put the Word of God in your heart and God will work to spiritually prosper your life (Colossians 3:16-17).

The word in your heart will work in your life to prosper your walk!

Application questions:There are 168 hours in a week.  How much of that do you spend on hearing the Word?  Reading it?  Memorizing it?  Meditating upon it? Determine to set apart a plan, a place, and a time to devote to yourself to the Word and prayer.

December 31

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 4

On a tombstone in a graveyard, you will likely find a symbol, a short and simple line, between two dates.  The dates, on the left and the right, mark the year of the beginning and end of one’s life.  The “in-between” part—the life lived—is all summed up and represented to us by a dash.

The dash bears more weight than it should.  A simple short line can hardly suffice to tell the story of all that transpired in the life of a person.  Did they die young or old?  The dates tell that story.  But the tombstone and the dash say little or nothing about the dead person’s character or deeds.

Our omniscient Creator knows both about the dates and that which lies in-between (Psalm 139:16).  Where we see a dash, he sees and knows a person.  A person created by Him to know and love Him.  He has “set eternity in their heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  In the heart of each rebel sinner lies a God-given desire to be reconciled to Him. 

Knowing nothing about the life of a person, we still know something about them.  All of us were born sinners. We’ve all missed the mark and have fallen short.  We’ve failed to measure up to God’s holy standard (Romans 3:23).  The death date on the tombstone testifies to the reality— “death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

The date on the left speaks to the year of one’s birth, but another birthday can work to radically alter the character and eternal trajectory of a life.  Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:7).  “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 Timothy 1:15) and died “for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).  To those who receive Him, He gives “the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).  The new birth works a wonderful transformation in one’s identity, life, and eternal destination.  Jesus can make something beautiful of the dash between the dates.

The death date on the tombstone does not mark the end.  “An hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds, to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29).  Those who die knowing Jesus will spend eternity with Him.  Those who don’t will “pay the penalty of eternal destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

Having assurance of heaven, the believer in Christ is nonetheless concerned for the character of what lies within the “dash between the dates.”  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).  On that day, the “quality of each man’s work” will be revealed with fire and he will accordingly either suffer loss or receive reward (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).  What is done here matters there.

Paul’s instructions to Timothy speak to such matters: “Instruct them (“those who are rich in this present world”; 1 Timothy 6:17) to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).  Our “dash” should be filled with such things.

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”—Psalm 139:16

ONLY ONE LIFE
Missionary C. T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

December 30

Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:19-26

God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, warning him of the hardships he would face, both personally and as a messenger to his people. Despite facing persecution, Jeremiah faithfully delivered God’s message, warning of impending judgment. However, the people refused to listen, and judgment eventually came.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captured Jerusalem, destroying the city and the temple, and taking many people into captivity. The streets were littered with corpses, and only a few impoverished people remained to farm the land. Jeremiah witnessed this devastation firsthand—the destruction, the suffering, and the heartbreaking pain. In response, he wrote, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord” (Lamentations 3:18).

Jeremiah’s grief was not just because of the destruction, but because it was an affront to everything he cherished—the city, the temple, the priesthood, and his people. Yet, in the midst of his despair, Jeremiah found hope, saying, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope” (Lamentations 3:21). This verse highlights the importance of thinking rightly about God. Jeremiah’s circumstances spoke of hopelessness, but he reminded himself of truths about God that gave him hope.

Jeremiah recalled God’s steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him’” (Lamentations 3:22-24). Jeremiah may have thought back to God’s promises of future restoration or reflected on how God had led him to purchase land in the midst of the destruction, affirming that one day, “houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land” (Jeremiah 32:15).

In remembering God’s faithfulness, Jeremiah found hope. In times of personal or national turmoil, it is essential to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness. When challenges threaten to overwhelm us, we can hold onto the promises in Scripture and trust in God’s unchanging nature. Just as God was faithful to Jeremiah, He will remain faithful to us.

“Upon God’s faithfulness rests our whole hope of future blessedness.”—A. W. Tozer

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
as Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed Thy hand hath provided:
great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest;
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow:
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]

By faith, we climb the tallest peak,
One step at a time, His strength we seek.

Father led me down the way,
To the fishing hole, where we’d stay.
I struggled to match his pace so swift,
While rebel limbs tugged at my grip.

Steps came easy in youthful days,
When life held secrets, yet no harsh gaze.
Few were the worries, light was the load,
At the mountain’s base, where dreams are sowed.

The path grew steep as years unfurled,
Responsibilities shaped my world.
To study, to strive, to give my best,
While temptations knocked, disturbing rest.

The climb grew harder, my strength wore thin,
I searched for help, unsure where to begin.
Then Jesus came with hands outstretched,
Bringing peace where fears once etched.

Marriage and family added their weight,
Each choice I made sealed my fate.
Every step carried burdens anew,
For those who followed the path I drew.

Fellow climbers stumbled and fell,
Lost in struggles too deep to quell.
Yet hands were offered, faith restored,
Together we climbed, our hearts implored.

It’s a paradox, yet true with age,
As strength fades, we turn the page.
Steps near the summit grow more steep,
And unforeseen hazards rise from deep.

But ahead, the summit unveils its grace,
A glorious view, no veil to face.
The peak breathes hope to the weary soul,
Where all troubles fade, and hearts are whole.

With God-graced courage, steadfast and bright,
Step by step, we ascend the height.
To the peak of the mountain, upward bound,
Heaven awaits, where peace is found.

For the mountain arises, unyielding, grand,
But with God, we conquer, by Jesus’ hand.

Largely inspired by recent conversations with my dear hospice patients.

December 27

Bible Reading: Joel 2:13b; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Hebrews 4:16; Luke 6:36

The man’s days were nearing their end, and he knew it. When I introduced myself, he immediately said, “I’ve spent my whole life sinning.” He went on to share troubling moments from his past that were clearly haunting him as he faced his mortality. Mercy, often overlooked until we need it, became the focus of our conversation. I shared with him the mercy of God, made evident through Jesus’ death for our sins and His resurrection. On a subsequent visit, he professed his faith in Christ.

A. W. Tozer defined God’s mercy as “an infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes God to be actively compassionate.” God reveals His mercy in various ways. Through general mercy, He shows pity and provides for all creation (Psalm 145:9; Luke 6:36). Through special mercy, He intervenes on behalf of the redeemed (Hebrews 4:16).

God not only removes the guilt of His children, but also shows them compassion. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). He invites us to approach His throne of grace to receive mercy in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). 

In a world often cold and harsh, God is a compassionate friend who not only cares but can come to our aid. As the Good Samaritan cared for the beaten stranger, how much more will the Father of mercies heal our hidden wounds and bring us to safety?

It can sometimes seem in this world that no one cares, but God does.  A. W. Tozer speaks to how God’s mercy is availed to those who seek Him: “We may plead for mercy for a lifetime in unbelief, and at the end of our days be still no more than sadly hopeful that we shall somewhere, somehow, receive it.  This is to starve to death outside the banquet hall in which we have been warmly invited.  Or we may, if we will, lay hold on the mercy of God by faith, enter the hall, and sit down with the bold and avid souls who will not allow diffidence and unbelief to keep them from the feast of things prepared for them.”

God’s mercy is “an infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes God to be actively compassionate.” – A. W. Tozer

SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY
A pilgrim was I, and a wandering,
In the cold night of sin I did roam,
When Jesus the kind Shepherd found me,
And now I am on my way home.

Refrain:
Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life;
Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.

He restoreth my soul when I’m weary,
He giveth me strength day by day;
He leads me beside the still waters,
He guards me each step of the way. [Refrain]

When I walk through the
dark lonesome valley,
My savior will walk with me there;
And safely His great hand will lead me
To the mansions He’s gone to prepare. [Refrain]

Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life;
Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.

And I shall dwell in the
house of the Lord forever,
And I shall feast at the
table spread for me;
Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.
All the days, all the days of my life.

December 26

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10

In her eighty-some years, she had never attended church or read the Bible. A bit rough around the edges, she had a sharp sense of humor, and I grew to enjoy our visits. Her awareness of her imminent death sparked an interest in spiritual matters. Though her vision was poor, I bought her a Giant Print Bible, and she began reading the Gospel of John. During one of our early visits, she asks, “With so many religions, how can a person know which one is right?” From then on, we discussed Jesus and the salvation offered by grace through faith. This, I explained, is where the difference lies—salvation is by God’s grace, not by works. Praise the Lord!

A. W. Tozer beautifully defines grace as “the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits on the undeserving.” Grace is inherent in God’s nature, leading Him to pity the wretched, spare the guilty, and favor the outcast. For us sinful humans, it is through grace that we are saved, brought into favor with God, and seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:7).

Theologians distinguish between common grace, which benefits all of humanity, and special grace, which is given to believers. Common grace includes blessings like rain, sun, and the restraint of evil, while special grace is unveiled in the salvation of sinners. Grace, central to Biblical Christianity, appears over 150 times in the New Testament, and is generally defined as “unmerited favor.”

Ephesians 2:1-3 explained how unmerited we were—spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, and children of wrath. But through God’s favor, we are saved. Ephesians 1:3-14 highlights the abundant blessings we receive in Christ, all done to the “praise of the glory of His grace” (Ephesians 1:6).

God’s grace is always superlative—Jesus was “full of grace” (John 1:14), and from His fullness, we receive “grace upon grace” (John 1:16). God is rich in grace (Ephesians 2:7), with abundance to spare (Romans 5:17). We are invited to His throne of grace to receive mercy and help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). There is no shortage of grace with God (2 Corinthians 9:8). How incredibly blessed we are by grace! Praise the Lord!

“Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”– Jerry Bridges

AMAZING GRACE

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

The Lord hath promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.