All in God's glory
Oh, how I love decorating for the Christmas season. It just fills my heart with joy. I have some cute Santas, but I really look forward to putting out my collection of nativities. Each different, they all depict baby Jesus in a manger, Mary and Joseph on each side. Some even include various animals.
She sat in my lap admiring the stars and the moon—my three-year-old granddaughter. She claimed the moon as her moon then burst out singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star*. Little Caroline was awash with wonder, and her soul burst into song.
Ah, the key verse of Amos makes its way to the surface: justice and righteousness, rolling on like a river, a never-failing stream. As Peterson (MSG) puts it, “That’s what I want. That’s all I want” says the Lord.
Certainly, the glory of Zerubbabel’s temple did not compare to that of Solomon’s. But it wasn’t really the ornate gold and silver that gave that first temple the glory, was it ladies?
And so, as King Cyrus decreed: everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:5). Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the building began with the altar so the morning and evening sacrifices could be offered and the sacred feasts celebrated. Next the foundation of the temple was completed with much fanfare. But then the enemy intervened, frustrating the work and eventually bringing it to a standstill (Ezra 3-4) for fifteen plus years.
My summer reading showered me with surprise this year ladies. First, the book of Haggai in our June study. Then I was handed the historical novel by Lynn Austin, Return to Me, (Bethany House 2013). Don’t you just love God’s coincidences!
Ladies, I am so glad for the sun and the rain and the pruning and fertilizing of the word of God under the shepherding of the Lord and the Spirit. Living securely now is a given for those who believe. As Jesus prayed in John 17:3, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” We are truly blessed.
Wow! Gideon’s 300 men soundly routed the Midianites. Amazing what God can do with the man He calls in the strength He gives him. To God be the glory! And the enemy stayed far away from the people of God for as long as Gideon lived: During Gideon’s lifetime, the land enjoyed peace forty years (8:28).
I have discovered that I typically experience the highest quality of encouragement and renewal during a few days of solitude at the beach.
The amphitheater of the roaring surf, the rolling water, the clouds, bird sounds all around bring peace of mind while my soul quickly relinquishes my list of life’s pressures into His hands.
I don’t know about you ladies, but when life’s distracting noises bombard my senses I best regain my equilibrium in the wonders of creation. There, the voices that declare God’s glory ring loud and clear.
