Sword of praise

May the praise of God be in their mouths

and a double-edged sword in their hands.                         Psalm  149.6

Praise from the mouths of the people gives glory to God. It exalts the Lord Most High through the singing of His children in adoration and worship,.

But there is more! Praising God empowers His people. The Lord inhabits the praises offered to Him. He is there, strengthening and empowering those who praise Him, in the act of praising him. As we sing out to Him, it is as though a weapon, a double-edged sword is placed in our hands.

I understand a double-edged sword to be a powerful and effective weapon. Yet, apart from the reality of the two sharpened edges to the sword, I see also an analogy here.

I see two separate cutting edges in terms of the effect of wielding the sword of praise. Whilst both edges of the sword swing fearlessly in praise, exalt the Lord God and draw us to Him, I see the one cutting edge as working for our own protection and empowerment. My praise to God cloaks me in Him. It assures me that I am safe in Him. I am provided for, and I am strengthened against any assault.

The other cutting edge of the sword I use in the fight for, and on behalf of, other people. I can reach people with the love of God and salvation through Christ as I wield the sword of praise. I am empowered, through the Holy Spirit of the living God, to reach out in witness and godly ministry to those who desperately need Him – even those who don’t yet know it!

Lord God,

I thank You for the power that is in my praise to You. I lift my voice today in highest praise. You are wonderful. You are glorious. I praise You. I honour You. I worship and adore You. Receive my praise. Inhabit my praise, in Jesus’ Name I ask.                                              Amen.

Priority

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”                                           Mark 6.31

The disciples were busy. One might say they were “rushed off their feet” – a phrase that is, perhaps, more readily associated with the fast pace of modern life. Yet the disciples also experienced it, and there is something strangely gratifying about this. It gives us much hope.

The disciples were too busy to eat. Eating is most certainly a priority. Sadly, we may not always see the priority in spending time quietly with God in resting in Him. To the Christian, and the fulfilled Christian life, time with God – resting in Him, is every bit as important as the basic acts required to sustain physical life.

Jesus knew this, and He offered the disciples that opportunity. Jesus is the way. He is the key to resting in the arms of the Father, in love, peace and blessing.

Jesus calls us today. I hear Him now saying, “Come with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.” Am I ready to say, “Lord Jesus, I come?”

Dear Jesus,

I thank You that You invite me to that special place where I may rest in God. I come. I lay aside any other concerns for I know my priority is to rest in You. As I do this, everything else will fall into place.

Your presence brings comfort. Right now, it is not difficult to release all other concerns and simply rest in You.

Receive me, my Lord. Sit with me. Speak to me. Let me be rested and strengthened in You. You are all I need, all I want.

Yes, I want You – with a passion! Receive me, make me wholly yours,

                        In Your precious Name I ask.                                                                 Amen.

His will

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit

lead me on level ground.

                                                                                                         Psalm 143.10

These words of the psalmist are most encouraging. I might struggle within myself, even strive to seek out God’s will for me. I might anguish, daily, to be sure that I am living in His will. Yet none of this is necessary. For, just like the psalmist, all I need do is to surrender myself to the Almighty and say, simply:

Lord, teach me to do Your will. You are my God. You are almighty and I choose to live in Your will. You will teach me and I rejoice in this.

I am grateful to have come to the place of trusting God for His will, and believing that I live in it from moment to moment. I repeatedly tell Him that my desire is to live in the fullness of His will. Having done this, and continuing to do it, I believe that God’s will is not some future event that I must await, but that it’s with me right at this moment. For, as surely as I’ve asked, He has responded and I live in His will in the here and now.

The psalmist further asks for God’s Spirit to lead him on level ground. Again, I want always to be led by the Holy Spirit. It would be most desirable if life were lived at all times ‘on level ground’, but sometimes the journey takes us into mountainous terrain. We travel through valleys; we are challenged by dark shadows and steep ascents. Yes, it would be nice if the journey was always on level ground but this does not always happen. Yet, with the Holy Spirit as our travel companion, we need not fear the undulations of life. Living in God’s will, I know that God is always there. Indeed, His Word assures me of this. And ultimately, despite what might arise along the way, God will come through. He will have His way and the result will be peace and blessing. Level ground is desirable but not necessary to my walk of faith with a righteous and faithful God.

Lord God,

How wonderful it is to echo a voice of long ago and say, in unison with this ancient writer: teach me to do Your will. You know how I long to please You, how I desire to live in the fullness of Your will – right now and for every moment of life. I rejoice because I have brought this plea before You many times, and I believe You have heard and answered. I choose to believe that I live in Your will right now and for every minute that I continue to keep my eyes fixed on You.

I seek the constant leading of Your Spirit. I do not wish to go anywhere or do anything without your Holy Spirit leading me. Let me be led by the Spirit as my Lord Jesus was led in all that He did on this earth. Lord, hear my prayer. May I also live a Godly life, pleasing to You in every respect and fulfilling the specific plan and purposes You have for me. I come to You in love and obedience. I’m Yours. Hallelujah!                                                    Amen.

His shelter

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91.1

What is it to dwell in the shelter of the Most High? The dwelling place connotes “refuge”. Firstly, then, the Most High, God Almighty, is the refuge of those who seek Him. In Him they will find peace and comfort, security and strength.

But this “refuge” is not for occasional visits as adverse circumstances demand. It is a place of abiding, a daily living with Him, seeking His shelter as a practiced way of life. It is also letting go to Him, and believing for His full and perfect will in all things – a complete trusting in Him. When this trust is extended to God in fullest measure then, I believe, rest in him will flow, freely and abundantly. And what a wonderful place it will be. O, to dwell in His shelter, and rest in his shadow!

Lord God,

I confess You truly as my Lord and my God. I affirm my commitment to You, sinner as I am. I repent of my sins and seek Your forgiveness.

I choose to come to You. I seek to dwell in Your shelter and to rest in You shadow. I look to You in every need and situation. You are my provider and my guide. I am not reluctant to do whatever needs to be done, but I seek always to be and to do in accordance with Your will for me.

I ask You to show me the way. May there be no mistaking in the path I am to take and whatever I am to do. I earnestly desire to follow Jesus and live in, and for, the will of my Father in heaven.

Heavenly Father, hear my cry. Receive me today and lead me on. Have Your way in me. I look to You. May I dwell always in the shelter of the Most High. May I ever rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I commit myself anew to You with this prayer, in Jesus’ Name.         

                                                                                                                                         Amen.

Home again

The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.        Psalm 121.8

It is very early in the morning of Wednesday, 3rd July. I am up at this early hour because my body clock is somewhat awry. It took between 30 and 40 hours to travel from Madrid to Sydney. The journey comprised three stages with extended waiting periods between each flight. My body is understandably confused.

But, all is well. I am home. Apart from tiredness, I am well. God has protected me, and looked after my home whilst I was away. Furthermore, I have a host more of wonderful memories in my treasure chest.

I might well reflect on the last six weeks and the events thereof, and wonder if it really happened. Did I really meet all those lovely people? Did I get to see such a variety of places, of sights and scenes? And did I truly experience God walking with me and sharing with me the wonders of life? Yes I did, most definitely I did!

But the amazing reality is that these precious experiences are not consigned to the past. My life in Him is ongoing. I can daily experience interaction with the loveliest people. I can enjoy the variety in the habitat and places that are close to home. And I can give myself to Him, to walk with Him every step of the way, and every minute of the day.

I believe I need to act in this. God has assured me that He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is with me always. Yet, I sense I have the choice of accepting His presence. I can live fully in the reality of relationship with Him, or I can muddle through life on my own and call out to Him only when things get too difficult or too desperate for me.

I know the choice for me, and I make that choice wholeheartedly. I want God, every moment of every day, with me, leading me, encouraging me, loving me.

And so, I leave Spain, but I do not let go of God. I am grateful for the special times I experienced on the Iberian Peninsula, days when I set aside time specifically to walk with Him and talk with Him. The walking and the talking continue. They may not be quite as focused as in these recent weeks yet, nevertheless, they will be. I find I will act in what I determine to be a priority. My clear priority is to walk with Him.

Farewell Spain, for the moment. Adios!

Adios, the Spanish for farewell or goodbye, compares directly with the French "Adieu". In both cases, the literal translation is "to God". And so, in respect to this country of Spain and the wonderful sojourn there that has just ended, I turn to God.






Almighty God,

I come again to You in thankfulness, in the fullness of heartiest thanksgiving.

I thank You for the journey that You have led me on in recent weeks. I thank You for Spain, and for Portugal where my walking began. I thank You for the countries and their peoples, the many who hosted me and served me along the way. I thank You for the wonderful peregrinos and peregrinas You brought to me, to walk alongside me and share a part of life with me. I thank You for the many who were not physically with me but who followed my progress, and maybe prayed for me.

I thank You for the fine weather, the arrangements that worked out so smoothly, and the joys of discovery in new places.

I thank You especially for those wonderful, breathtaking encounters with You, for the "suddenlies" You surprised me with.

I thank You for a safe return home and the continuing walk with You, which is as thrilling in everyday life as it is in exotic, foreign settings.

I say "A Dios" as I remember the countires I've visited, their peoples, the new friends I've made, and the exisitng friends who have supported me. I commit all of this to You, with the prayer, a Dios, to God, Dear God, I ask You to protect and prosper the aforesaid. I pray You will lead more people on "Caminos" where they will experience the reality of walking with You.

I give myself to the ongoing walk with You. Whatever You have for me, Lord, may I receive it in ready willingness and humble obedience.

         Lead on, I am Yours, Lord,
                                              in life, in love.
                                                                  Amen.

The Baggage Behind

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."                     Matt. 11.29,30

Madrid                 Thursday, 27th June 2013

Yesterday as I alighted the train from Malaga at Estacion de Atocha in Madrid I was immediately placed on red alert against that ubiquitous enemy, the baggage behind - or the burden that follows us. Many of my fellow travellers were hurriedly rushing, I know not where, trawling behind them small carriers of threat, of potential damage or crippling disaster.

One of the facilites of the modern era is the small suitcase which is fitted with wheels, for easy mobility, and an extendable handle, presumably for some sort of control. These mobile threats are popular presumably because they can usually be transported without passing from their owner´s care, thereby eliminating tedious delays in awaiting the arrival of one´s luggage at journey´s end.

The menace comes from these little monsters when the owner´s care does not manifest in the degree that it should. All too often the owner locates the potential weapon on terra firma, extends the handle to full length then takes said handle, positioning themselves in front of the load and take off - to the apparent unconcern and neglect of any following traffic. If this leader should stop suddenly or turn sharply the consequences for anyone following could be most unpleasant. I know! I have learnt alertness the hard way, but it has armed me and fitted me to now be on the look out.

So, where is this reflection going? A couple of years ago - I think it was at Athens airport - I noticed the volume of luggage that many people seem to transport around the world. It would appear that some leave very little ar home! I conclude that personal goods and chattels obviously mean a great deal, yet I commented at the time how much freer life would be if we didn´t carry so much baggage as we went.

 My reflection today is somewhat similar yet with a different focus.

As I observed so many people seemingly content to trawl small, inoffensive (whilst stationery maybe) containers behind them, I couldn´t help but think of the minor baggage we carry behind us through life, and the possibility that our baggage could cause threat, and potential damage to others.

There may be times, who knows how many in the normal span of a life, when we need to rid ourselves of baggage, however minor it might seem. Too often we don´t do this. Instead we "deal" with it by putting it out of our thinking, metaphorically placing it behind us as we continue our journey. But the baggage is not gone. It follows us wherever we go. And, whether or not it´s ever realised, it has the potential to cause harm to others.

Jesus offers me a partnership. He says, "Come, yoke yourself to me. Take my light burden on you." In these words, I hear Him  say, "Offer me your heavy burden.  Lay it down. You don´t need to drag it through life with you. Be free. Know the liberty that exists when you partner with me. I´m here waiting. don´t delay! Drop your bundle now, and move forward, in freedom."

I negotiated my way through Estacion de Atocher without incident or accident. I was careful, but I couldn´t help wondering how much more pleasant it would have been without other people´s baggage waiting to trip me up.




Lord Jesus,

I come to You and I do, indeed, yoke myself to You. It´s my wish to remain in that inseparable partnership with You that I´ve already taken up.

I know I carry baggage despite my actions in laying it down. for as I give up one lot of yuck more is waiting to waylay me. And so, I adopt the habit of laying it down and giving it up. I know the liberty I have when I surrender everything to You. I know, and I am grateful.

Take me, Lord. Cleanse me of all impurity. Release me from whatever would seek to hold me back. Lead me on, in Your light and Your way.              Amen.

Always There

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."                  Matt. 28.20

Malaga                         Monday, 24th June 2013

I´m now into the final days of this Spanish Sojourn. I pre-booked several nights in Malaga thinking to have some restful, easy days in the sun before returning to Australia, and winter.

This time is like the third facet of my trip. The first was the Camino and the discipline, together with the enjoyment, of walking. I recall the God days and the neighbour days. I reminisce now over my companions, the new friends I made as we walked and shared together. Already I am receiving emails from some of them. Our conversation was rarely superficial. We shared part of life as we walked together. We shared our lives as we talked. At times the talk was deeply intimate, spiritual and often of God. It seemed natural to share so. But then, sharing about God is neither un-natural nor difficult for me.

The second phase of my visit embraced the times spent in the great cities of southern Spain. There was less opportunity to connect with others during this time. I guess we had a common goal - that of sightseeing, but each seemed to be involved in their own agenda and timetable.

This did not bother me. Perhaps unlike many others, my priority was not to see as many sights as possible. I was more interested in "experiencing" the places I visited. I did not need to cover every ancient monument and national treasure. I was more concerned for spiritual encounters in those places I visited, places where faith had been put into action down through the centuries. I was not disappointed. On my own I had God-encounters which just wouldn´t have happened (or, at least, not been as powerful) in company with others.Was this a selfish time? I choose to think not! Instead I look on it as intensely personal and deeply intimate. Throughout this time God was so obviously present.

And now, I have transitioned into what I could call holiday mode. For a couple of days now I have spent more time in conscious relaxation. The hotel has a swimming pool. Across the road is the beach and the gentle, warm waters of the Mediterranean. Granted, this morning I visited the sights of Malaga, the Cathedral where I was certainly conscious of God´s presence, then a challenging but rewarding climb up to the Castillo Gibralfaro, with its reminders of the chequered history of this region and the breathtaking views from the top - of creation, both God-made and man-made.

Then I descended to the city and its awakening commercial bent. I did some "touristy" shopping before returning to the hotel, and the pleasure of a swim.

These days are restful and relaxing and, just maybe, it would be easy to not be aware of God. I´m thankful that I can´t do this. I have long been conscious that my relationship with Him is for ALL TIME, and for ALL TIMES! I cannot conveniently call Him up and bring Him to mind when I have desperate needs to be met, and then casually ignore Him when all seems to be going well for me. He has committed to me for every second of every day, in fair weather as well as in foul: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you" (Heb. 13.5). I recall reminding someone that never means "not ever". I cannot dare to remind another of this and not live by it myself. He is always there.

I can easily remember Him in times of need, of trial, and maybe trouble. I call on Him to help me. Just being able to do this helps. Let me eqaully remember Him on sunny days, in times when life is "just great".

Yes, let me always be mindful of Him, and ever thankful.



Lord God,

Paul exhorts me to give thanks in all things. It seems easy to cry out to You when I need help, and then thank You for rescuing me.

Right now, I thank You for the sun shining. I thank You for the delightful view from the terrace of my hotel bedroom. Indeed, I thank You for this entire establishment, for its amenities and its proximity to the beach. I thank You for the time I am able to spend here, for the rest I am obviously enjoying and for the sweet reminiscences that come percolating through my memory.

But most of all, I thank You for You. You are with me as You promised. You are faithful. May I never forget this.

I commit the coming days to You. May Your presence never dim with me.                          Amen.