The Wednesday of Holy Week does not have a great deal recorded. Jesus continued to teach in the temple and the people continued to come to hear him. This of course continued something else - in that it further added to the distaste that the religious leaders had for Jesus. They were now in full swing plotting how to eliminate this interloper. However, they were afraid to do it in the open because they feared the people (Luke 22:2).

This is such a telling statement. It reveals so much. And it reveals the nature of the human heart. There is such a tendency in our hearts to prefer the accolades of people over the glory that comes from God and is given to God (cf. John 12:42,43). Our family has been reading through Proverbs together and the thrust of that book is to learn the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7). That is the wisdom that we are called to gain, to seek after, to call out for (Prov. 2:1-14).

Proverbs 29:25: The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

Thankfully our Savior did not fall to the fear of man, but gave his life for sinners so that we who have too often feared man rather than God can find hope and redemption.

For the song for mediation today, one of my favorites in this season, “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted.” This version by Fernando Ortega carries just the right emotion and tenor.

Holy Week, Day 4: Wednesday Wednesday, April 1, AD 33. To continue through the week, follow the link below for Thursday: https://vimeo.com/89420081 The link for Palm Sunday: vimeo.com/89013208 The link for Monday: https://vimeo.com/89117797 The link for Tuesday: https://vimeo.com/89651201

It is Tuesday of Holy Week and it sure seems as though things are ramping up in the interactions between Jesus and the religious leadership. What happened the day before was not something that sat well with the Jewish leadership. Jesus was illegitimate in their eyes and he was taking the attention away from them…he was usurping their authority and power in the eyes of the people.

Tuesday was filled with interaction - much of it involved the religious leaders seeking to trap Jesus in his words. But they couldn’t do it. You can’t trick perfection. You cannot trip up the Holy One of God. In fact, they were consistently shut down in their attempts through the gracious and pointed words of Jesus.

There is much to read and consider in this day, and I certainly cannot write on all it, so let me briefly highlight the parable of the tenants.

33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” 

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: 

“ ‘The stone that the builders rejected 

has become the cornerstone; 

this was the Lord’s doing, 

and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 

43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” 

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet. (Matthew 21:33-46)

Clearly the tenants are the Jewish leaders who are fighting against Jesus. But they have rejected the truth. They have rejected the stone upon which everything is built. There is fulfillment of prophecy here - Isaiah 8:14 and Daniel 2:44, but more importantly the call is to see Jesus as who he is. He is not some usurper of authority; he is the ultimate authority He is the one upon which all stands or falls. And he is asserting what is rightly his. He is the cornerstone, chosen and precious (1 Peter 2:6-8). He is the one we are called to believe and to realize that there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:11,12).

It is amazing that the perfect Son of God gave himself to be wounded for us so that we could know life and salvation.

Here is a song to meditate on this day - “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.”

Holy Week, Day 3: Tuesday Tuesday, March 31, AD 33. To continue through the week, follow the link below for Wednesday: https://vimeo.com/89420035 The link for Palm Sunday: vimeo.com/89013208 The link for Monday: https://vimeo.com/89117797

It’s Monday of Holy Week. What we see on this day in this last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry is that he curses a fig tree and he cleanses the Temple. Why? Why does he do this?

Well, he comes upon a fig tree and he sees it in leaf. The presence of leaves signified that there should be fruit (even out of season), but there wasn’t. It looked as though it would have fruit, but it didn’t. And so Jesus cursed the tree.

Next he comes to the Temple. Let’s look at Mark’s account in chapter 11.

15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

There is a relation between these two events. Jesus judged the fig tree for showing forth the signs of fruit, but not producing any. He judged the Temple for not being the place of prayer, the place of worship. It had the appearance of a place of worship and holiness, but it was not functioning in that manner. In a sense, both the tree and the Temple were hypocritical - they had the appearance of the right thing, but weren’t producing the fruit that was to be present…and he judged them both.

Isn’t that too true of all of us? Are we not all hypocrites? Do we not all deserve the judgment of God?

Praise God for the work of Christ to die for sinners and to take the judgment we deserve upon himself!! Without that work, without Christ, we would all be without hope. But by the grace of God, the love of God, we have a sure hope in what Christ did for sinners.

2 Corinthians 5:21: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This week I’m going to try and highlight hymns/songs about the passion of Christ. For our first installment, the great hymn “Alas! And did My Savior Bleed?”

Holy Week, Day 2: Monday Monday, March 30, AD 33. To continue through the week, follow the link below for Tuesday: https://vimeo.com/89651201 The link for Palm Sunday: https://vimeo.com/89013208

This is the start of Holy Week. It doesn’t have the same feel that we would expect, but it doesn’t take away the reality of what we celebrate and remember. This is a week set aside to remember the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Though we celebrate the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus daily as believers, there is something that feels a bit more special about this week. Not only is it more on the mind of believers, but the whole world seems to know that this is Holy Week, no matter what they actually know about it.

For this week I’m mainly going to post a little bit about each day (I may say something else related to what we are all going through right now - so I have to say ‘mainly’). A number of years ago Crossway put together some great graphics and short videos about each day of Holy Week. We generally understand what happened on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter morning - but what about the rest of the week? These videos and graphics will help guide you through those days. Take the time and read the Scriptures and mediate on this final week of Jesus’ life.

Remember, in the midst of a global pandemic, there is nothing more solid, nothing that needs to be remembered more clearly, nothing that needs to be celebrated more than the solid and life-giving truth of Jesus and all he went through on behalf of his children. Let the pain of this time point to the beauty and sure hope of our resurrection with our Lord. Let the despair and anxiety lead us to the hope and surety of Christ. Let the disrupted nature of our lives point to what Jesus gives us with his life - peace with God (Luke 24:36; cf. Isaiah 9:6; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:20).

Let’s take time this week and focus on who Christ is and what he has done for us (let us do it as together as we possibly can though we are ‘socially distanced’ from each other). Let this truth be the true anchor of our soul - and let us pray for and find ways to share that truth with others.

Holy Week, Day 1: Palm Sunday Sunday, March 29, AD 33. To continue through the week, please follow the link below for Monday: https://vimeo.com/89117797

This morning I read these words from 1 Thessalonians 1:

 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Of course what caught my attention first was receiving the word in much affliction. The world is certainly under a good bit of affliction right now - and the question is: are we receiving the word during this time? I realize the context is a bit different, but I believe the principle stands. When the Thessalonians heard the word, they believed and they sounded it forth - they spoke the word of God. They may have been young in their faith, but they were examples in faith, love, and hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3). What are we filling our hearts and minds with during this time? Are we seeking after what is absolutely true and good and beautiful?

But there is more, at the end of that passage Paul mentions that the Thessalonians turned to God from idols. This is a time where idols are being stripped away, but we have to be careful, because other idols are vying for their position in our lives. I saw this tweet from Bob Thune yesterday.

I think what he wrote is quite true. We have had safety and security and the like stripped away from us. Most of us have had our worlds turned a bit upside down. It is all so different right now. We’ve never been through a pandemic before (unless you are the 100 plus year old guy in Italy). Things we have relied on and trusted in have been removed (and that’s good), but if we are not careful, we will merely substitute them with something else that isn’t God.

The only unchanged and unchanging is God. Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. James 1:17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. And, remember how God identified himself to Moses - I Am. He is and he is the God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6).

Oh - and one more thing. Verse 10 of 1 Thessalonians is about longing for the return of Christ. The Christian not only turns to God and away from idols, but waits (with anticipation) for the Christ to return and set everything right.

I don’t have any song that goes with what I wrote - but this song by Wes King is appropriate at any time. Enjoy.

Maybe it’s a little early in our ordeal to turn to this song, but without a sense of hope…of anticipation…things can get really rough. I’m not there, but man is it nice to see the sun. There is something hopeful about the morning. Something invigorating about seeing the sun rise against the darkness and with it comes warmth and light and joy.

Psalm 30:5b: Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Unlike a typical day where we can check our Weather Channel app and find the precise time of the sunrise - we don’t know when the darkness of the pandemic is going to lift. The night of the virus may be long, but the anticipation is of the joy that will come with the morning. And we can rest in this - morning will come. We are all waiting for the change. We are waiting for this storm to blow through…this storm that can be frightening and very unpredictable and unknown.

And on a larger scale, we are waiting for the day of Christ to come. Anticipating the groaning that we feel to be fulfilled when the sons of God will be revealed (see Romans 8). The day when there is no more darkness. The day when there is no more pain or sickness. Lord, hasten that day.

I've been waiting for the sun
To come blazing up out of the night like a bullet from a gun
Till every shadow is scattered, every dragon's on the run
Oh, I believe, I believe that the light is gonna come
And this is the dark, this is the dark before the dawn

I've been waiting for some peace
To come raining down out of the heavens on these war-torn fields
All creation is aching for the sons of God to be revealed
Oh, I believe, I believe that the victory is sealed
The serpent struck but it was crushed beneath His heel

Oh, I know the wind can bring the lightning
Oh, I know the lightning brings the rain
Oh, I know the storm can be so frightening
But that same wind is gonna blow that storm away
Blow that storm away

Lord, I'm waiting for a change
I'm waiting for Your change

So I'm waiting for the King
To come galloping out of the clouds while the angel armies sing
He's gonna gather His people in the shadow of His wings
And I'm gonna raise my voice with the song of the redeemed
'Cause all this darkness is a small and passing thing

This is the storm, this is the storm
The storm before the calm
This is the pain, the pain before the balm
This is the cold, the cold
It's the cold before the warm
These are the tears, the tears before the song
This is the dark
Sometimes all I see is this darkness
Well, can't you feel the darkness
This is the dark before the dawn

I'm just waiting for a change
Change
Lord, I'm waiting for the change

I had a dream that I was waking
At the burning edge of dawn
And I could see the fields of glory
I could hear the sower's song
I had a dream that I was waking
At the burning edge of dawn
And all that rain had washed me clean
All the sorrow was gone
I had a dream that I was waking
At the burning edge of dawn
And I could finally believe
The king had loved me all along
I had a dream that I was waking
At the burning edge of dawn
I saw the sower in the silver mist
And He was calling me home

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group The Dark Before The Dawn · Andrew Peterson The Burning Edge Of Dawn ℗ 2015 Andrew Peterson, under exclusive lice...

I admit that I have felt a bit listless the past day. I have been fever free now for well over 72 hours, but I lost my senses of taste and smell….and that was a symptom I didn’t really want showing up. The nature of this virus is so unknown that it’s difficult to know what to do and when. I did come out of total quarantine yesterday, but I basically moved to the basement and I’m wearing a mask around the house. My daughter today asked: “When are you going to be able to stop wearing that mask?” And my only answer was: “I don’t know.”

“I don’t know” is hard for me. I like to know things. I don’t like not knowing what to do. Maybe it’s having grown up watching G.I. Joe cartoons and the slogan “Knowing is half the battle” was drilled into my brain, but it is simply hard for me not to know and then to be able to take action in the midst of not knowing. Perhaps the Lord is teaching me something through this.

Perhaps my knowing is focused on the wrong object. Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Or Psalm 111:10: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Rather than seeking to know what I can’t know, the Lord is calling me to know Him better. I think of this song by Michael Card (yes, I’ve already had a song by him, but his stuff is good). It’s called “The Way of Wisdom” (video below) and there is line that says: “The way of understanding lies in not how much you know, where the pathway is a person that you’ve come to love and so, you can stop pretending that it all depends on you, for it’s not how much you love as much as how much He loves you.”

I can stop feeling like I have to know it all…I can stop pretending. What freedom! My wisdom, your wisdom, right now is to know Christ. To pursue Him. Isaiah 11:1, 2: There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

The Way of Wisdom starts out with a step of holy fear
And it makes its way alone by every good word that you hear
It has to do with passion and it has to do with pain
It has to do with One, Who has both died and rose again
Died and rose again

And the Way of Wisdom is living
The Path of Peace is forgiving
Behold the Man of Meaning
Behold, He is the Lord

The way of understanding lies in not how much you know
Where the pathway is a person that you've come to love and so
You can stop pretending that it all depends on you
For it's not how much you love as much as how much He loves you
How much He loves you

And the Way of Wisdom is living
The Path of Peace is forgiving
Behold the Man of Meaning
Behold, He is the Lord

The Way of Wisdom beckons us to find the end of fear that perfect love pursues
Wisdom did not come to simply speak the words of truth
He's the Word that makes us true

The Way of Wisdom starts out with a step of holy fear
That's only the beginning and there's much more that is clear
The path leads on to love and love is fearless in its ways
For Love Himself was not afraid
To die that we'd be saved
To die that we'd be saved

And the Way of Wisdom is living
The Path of Peace is forgiving
Behold the Man of Meaning
Behold, He is the Lord…
Behold, He is the Lord

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group The Way Of Wisdom (Proverbs) · Michael Card The Way Of Wisdom ℗ 1990 Sparrow Records Released on: 1990-01-01 Pro...

One of the grand beauties of the psalms is that they are realistic. The most common type of psalm is the lament. And right now, for so many, this is a time of lament…at least to a degree. I feel that. How long? How long will this go on? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?…(Ps. 13:1b-2b).

I may not be at that point of feeling sorrow in my heart all the day, but I do ask - how long will I not be able to hug or touch my family? How long will I have to live in the uncertainty of whether I had/have this virus or not? The not knowing is hard…and maybe the Lord is stripping something from me…my need to have to know…my need to feel in control (even though I know very well I’m not).

Things have been stripped away from all of us. What we have been used to is gone, and the uncertainty of when things might return is troubling. Will the economy rebound? What will the death toll from this virus be? Will my friends of family be part of that number?

For me, it makes me long not just for the end of this time, but for the day when all this will be forgotten. When all the sad things will become untrue. The day every tear is wiped from our eyes. The day when I will see my Savior face to face. We can hope in that and let that vision guide our days. Being heavenly minded does not stop us from being earthly good - it actually helps us, because it grounds us in what is good and true and beautiful.

There is a song by Bifrost Arts that captures some of this. I was playing it yesterday on guitar and found it therapeutic.

How long? Will You turn Your face away? 
How long? Do You hear us when we pray? 
On and on, still we walk this pilgrim way - How long? 

How long 'til Your children find their rest? 
How long 'til You draw them to Your breast? 
We go on holding to Your promises - How long? 

'Til You wipe away the tears from ev'ry eye 
'Til we see our home descending from the sky 
Do we wait in vain? 
Jesus, give us hope again! 

How long 'til Your word will still the storm? 
How long 'til You bare Your mighty arm? 
How we groan 'til You snatch us from the thorns - How long? 

How long? Sweet the dawn that ends the race. 
How long? Weak our hearts but strong our legs. 
Looking on - great that cloud of witnesses! How long?

Then hear the last two verses of Psalm 13: But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Hopefully I will be out of self-isolation soon. I have been fever free and feeling better (still some lingering things, but that is to be expected). It’s been a bit frustrating with the differing information that comes out from doctors or the CDC - is it 72 hours, is it 7 days, or 14 days even? It’s all a bit confusing, and I will say the lack of ability to get tested seems to be something that needs to be remedied in our country. However, I am grateful that whether I contracted CoV-19 or had a bad summer cold mixed with allergies that this is all the worse it got. I realize it has been much worse for a good number of people and we need to continue to pray for this virus to dissipate, for people to recover, and for our health care workers who are on the front lines.

This morning I turn to one of my favorite Psalms - Psalm 16.

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;

their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the LORD always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

One would be hard pressed to find a better confession that verse 2: “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” David understood this throughout his life. He was a man who made many mistakes. He certainly wasn’t the true hero. But he did learn that God was his sure and certain source of good…he learned what it was to trust in God. And we can see that throughout this entire psalm in different facets of life. David relys on the Lord, delights in Him, learns from Him, rejoices in Him. Take some time and meditate on the language of this psalm and see what it is to trust in the Lord.

You see this trust culminate in the final verses when David has such confidence that he will not even rot in the grave. The way that is true is because this also speaks of One greater than David…of Jesus. And because of His resurrection from the dead those who trust in Him will also not be abandoned. As believers in Christ we have been raised with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places - at the right hand of the Father (cf. Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1-4). And there we will know true fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore - but even now we live in the presence of God (His Spirit dwells in us) and experience the first fruits of that joy. Our joy is one that is everlasting because we know that God will never abandon us and has set us on the path of life.

For your listening pleasure today - Shane & Shane - Psalm 16.

Last night Erin brought my guitar up to my isolation room (formerly known as our bedroom). I simply needed to be able to play a little bit. I often find myself able to express how I’m feeling or what I’m thinking through music or through the language of the Psalms. There is something about both of those avenues that brings out the metaphors that give words to what we sometimes can’t.

Last night I didn’t need the metaphor as much, what I needed was music, and truth. Through the simple playing of a simple song (as I had to be quiet as kids were already in bed) I heard truth.

This was the song: (And here is a link to various charts if you want to play it)

Through the love of God our Savior, All will be well 
Free and changeless is His favor, All is well 
Precious is the blood that healed us 
Perfect is the grace that sealed us 
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us 
All must be well

Though we pass through tribulation, All will be well 
Ours is such a full salvation, All is well 
Happy still in God confiding 
Fruitful if in Christ abiding 
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding 
All must be well

We expect a bright tomorrow; All will be well 
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, All is well 
On our Father's love relying 
Jesus every need supplying 
Yes in living or in dying 
All must be well

Scripture passages this song reminds me of are numerous: Romans 8; 1 Peter 1:18-21; Ephesians 1:13,14; John 15; Philippians 4:19 and so many others. Take some time and meditate on these passages, and try to find others that the song references.

As some of you might be asking - “How are you feeling?” I’m doing better. Been fever free since yesterday morning, and hope that continues. I sure seem to be on the road to recovery. Pray for my amazing wife. She is handling everything in the house while keeping me in quarantine (and not being able to sleep in her own bed), and I know that she’s a bit tired. She’s an amazing woman and we are blessed greatly by her!!

Lately I have taken to use the old Book of Common Prayer as an aid in some of my time with the Lord. For the night prayer it begins with “The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.” Then there is a suggested confession of sin (a good practice at the end of the day). But what I want to turn to is the Psalmody - Psalm 4; 31:1-6; 91; 134 (these are all recommended to read at night). In particular I want to look at Psalm 4.

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have given me relief when I was in distress.

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?

How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;

the LORD hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!”

7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

In particular I want to highlight verses 6-8. Contextually, the psalmist (David) is in distress - he is in the midst of some pretty troubling circumstances. However, he is also quite confident in the Lord - that the Lord will hear the prayer of the godly (the faithful ones). When we come to verse 6 there is an answer to a taunt of sorts. The insolent insinuate that there is nothing good. Then comes the plea to the Lord: Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD! To have the Lord’s face put upon you is a great blessing (see Numbers 6:25,26). So, in essence, he is making an appeal for the presence of the Lord. And then the statement that is fairly shocking (not shocking as untrue, but shocking as to the weight of it) - that the Lord’s presence has brought more joy in the heart than any abundance of wealth and goods. This is something we confess, but how often do we experience this?

I think as we have had so much pulled away from us in this very strange time that perhaps the Lord is showing us this reality. He is showing us what matters the most. As I’m stuck in our bedroom for who knows how long, I want the joy of the Lord. I want the presence of the Lord and the blessing of that presence.

So as I laid down last night I went to sleep with the promise of verse 8 that is based on the presence of God - and in his presence I (and all his children) can sleep with confidence in the Lord.

It was harder to think of song to go with all this, but this one will work - and I don’t believe you’ll need the lyrics. It’s called “Give Me Jesus” by Fernando Ortega. May this be the cry of our hearts and the basis of our confidence.

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

2 Chronicles 20:12c

This morning I write from my bedroom, not because that’s where I normally enter a post, but because I am self-isolating. Yesterday I began not feeling good (a bit more than the past few days). Later in the afternoon I developed a low grade fever and so I called my doctor (after hours) and I was put on with a triage nurse (who has been overwhelmed the last few weeks). Pretty much having chest pains, sore throat, and the fever puts me in the protocol - even though I don’t recall being exposed to anyone with a confirmed case. Basically, I need to isolate and stay away from the family until I am fever free for 24 hours. There is not a likelihood of being tested, unless I get to the point of having difficulty breathing (it seems a little odd that we are waiting that long for people to get tested).

I think of the end of Jehoshaphat’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:12 - it seems very appropriate at a time like this, because quite simply we can’t control this virus. I don’t even know if what I am experiencing is the virus or the common cold just a bit worse than normal. The unknown is what is hard to handle. And we don’t fully know what to do against this unseen menace, but what I (we) can do is look to God in all things and do my best to follow the guidance of medical professionals. This is certainly a time to look to God (as is every moment of every day). It is in the here and now that we rest on the character of God. I am concerned for my family (more than I am for myself) - particularly the immune compromised and my parents and Erin’s mom.

I had another topic I was thinking about writing on today, but it wasn’t right for the occasion. At this moment in time I feel like I’m being pushed to trust and rest in the mighty hand of God. It is His hand that holds me fast. It is His hand that will never let me go. It is His hand that is keeping my family and the church. It is His hand that is not scrambling over what to do in this situation. It is His hand that is great comfort.

I think of the song “He Will Hold Me Fast.” It is a song that reminds me of great truths. I know myself and I know that left to myself I could go down a path that turns to fear and worry and anxiety - and it could become overwhelming. These words, and Scripture, ground me to what is good and true and beautiful. May it ground you too.

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.
He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
'Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

There are certain days where the longing to be with God is stronger. These are those days. I resonate with the struggle of Paul in Philippians 1…and I’ll quote it at length for the context:

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

You can hear his longing…to be with his Savior. Even though he knows that he is called to something now, his desire is to be with Christ. He is hard pressed. He has seen the glory of the Lord and he longs for that. He longs to be with the One who so deeply loves him…the One who gave Himself for him.

Paul certainly saw the brokenness of the world. He was beaten and persecuted. He saw pain and sickness and death. He felt the darkness all around him. But he also knew the Light of the world (John 8:12). We have all seen the pain and brokenness. It’s all we hear and see on the news. My brother has a friend who is in bad shape from this virus. It’s all hard. And it increases my longing to be with Christ…for the return of our Savior to make all things new (Revelation 21:1-7).

I echo the words of Revelation 22:20,21:

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. 

Amen - come Lord Jesus!

In light of that, I could think of no better song than “Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson. Enjoy the beauty, goodness, and truth of this song. And I dare say, you may have this on repeat fairly soon.

The official music video for Andrew Peterson's new song Is He Worthy! This video was shot in one continuous take. Directors: Max Hsu, Brian Skinner, and Nath...

Is He Worthy? (Andrew Peterson)

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is

Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

From every people and tribe (People and tribe)
Every nation and tongue (Every nation and tongue)
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?

He is, He is
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is, He is
He is worthy, He is worthy
He is

Yesterday was a good day in my neck of the woods. The sun was shining. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The neighborhood was buzzing with socially distant activity - and that is where the ominous nature of all this still pressed through. There was joy mixed with sorrow. It was again a surreal experience. If you let it, that dichotomy of existence….it could weigh you down.

Even in the midst of a beautiful day, there is still distress. There is trouble. What is going to happen with all of this? What decisions will our leaders make next that deeply affect each and every one of us? So much feels completely out of our control - because it is.

As I was reading in John 16 this morning I was reminded how out of control the disciples felt - and how confused and sorrowful, and certainly weighed down by the prospects of what would come next.

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Jesus had told them that he is going away. But then he said something shocking. That it was to their advantage for him to leave. How could that be? How could it be that they would be better off if Jesus, their teacher and Lord, left them? What does he say next? That the Holy Spirit would come. That he would convict the world in various realms. That He, as the Spirit of truth, would guide the disciples into al truth - the truth about Christ and salvation. And the truth that Christ has gone and prepared a place for his children (John 14:1-4).

Now the context of this text is that Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death - for his gruesome crucifixion. It will be a time when the world rejoices in its apparent victory. Jesus says to them: 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

By all accounts, on that Friday it seemed as though Jesus was a bit of a fraud. But soon that day would be seen for the good that it is, because Christ’s death and resurrection secured salvation for all believers. It no longer is a time of mourning (though there is that because of our sin that demanded it), but of great rejoicing. And that joy no one can take way (John 16:22).

Not the rejoicing of the world. Not the uncertainty of life right now. Not the oddities of a virus that no one truly understands. Nothing…no one can take the joy of salvation from Christ’s people.

And then the last words of this chapter: 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

Jesus knows what we need. He knew what the disciples needed to hear. They needed to hear of the work of the Spirit (and all believers have that same Spirit - indwelling us, always with us). They needed to hear that though they would have sorrow (facing reality is good) - they truly can have peace. They needed to hear that though they would experience tribulation in the world, yet Christ has overcome the world. And that is the source and ground and solid foundation of peace.

And as I think about myself, I experience the weighing down of all this. What change will all of this bring about? How is life going to be different. And then I need to return to the place of rest and peace. I am so thankful for the Spirit of God - may He rest upon us all.

Here’s a song for today - “Rest Upon Us” by Caedmon’s Call.

My soul is weary, and my cup is dry,
I am so in need of you,
Though my rightesousness is rags,
Your mercies are new

So Lord, come down to me,
So my heart can see,
How encompassing your grace can be

Holy Spirit, rest upon us,
Breath of God, touch my soul,
Come unfailing love of Jesus,
Rest upon us, rest upon us,

My mind is heavy and my days are long,
I lift my eyes up in the night,
My heart it weighs me down,
But your burden is light,

So Lord, come walk with me
Until my heart believes
All the bounties that your grace can bring

Holy Spirit, rest upon us,
Breath of God, touch my soul,
Come unfailing love of Jesus,
Rest upon us, rest upon us,

I will wait for you
I will wait for you
You rest upon us
Come rest upon us

Information is flying at all of us at a rate that is hard to sustain. And often, it is conflicting information. What exactly is this virus? How is it transmitted? Does hand-sanitizer work or work against our health? Are we flattening the curve? How serious is it? Why aren’t people taking it more serious? What about the economy? Jobs? Will the supply line continue?

There is so much noise that it is hard to find rest. Which seems odd considering most of us are in our homes and can work in our pajamas if we want. Life has slowed down a bit, but yet it still feels hectic. Maybe that’s because so much of it feels unsure and unknown at the moment. What will tomorrow bring? And therefore we are restless. Our minds don’t stop. Our souls are troubled. Even for those who aren’t necessarily worried about the virus - there is still plenty that is cause for trouble.

Our souls need rest.

Psalm 116:7

Return, O my soul, to your rest;

for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

These words are part of a psalm of thanksgiving. The psalmist has seen great trouble and distress. He called out to the Lord for deliverance - and it was found. Just prior to verse 7 we read:

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

our God is merciful.

The Lord preserves the simple;

when I was brought low, he saved me. (116:5,6)

God revealed his nature and his character as he answered the suffering. He does not stand aloof to all that we are going through. He has entered in to our suffering and pain. That is shown most clearly in the incarnation of our Lord and Savior.

Hebrews 4:14-16:

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

This is a time (as is all time) when we need mercy and grace to help. Let us go to him. And as I think back to Psalm 116:7 - it is the psalmist commanding his own soul to come back to a place of rest. Why? Because God has dealt bountifully. How has he done that? He has saved. In Christ he has saved from eternal trouble all who repent and believe. He is a God who is merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and truth (Exodus 34:6,7).

Take some time and recount the bountiful ways the Lord has deal with you. How He has blessed you greatly. Speak to your soul the gospel of grace and may it return to rest in the midst of trouble and uncertainty. Our God is a bountiful God.

Here is a great song for this day - this is the bounty of the Lord.

My faith has found a resting place 
From guilt my soul is free 
I trust the Ever-living One 
His wounds shall plead for me. 

I need no other argument 
I need no other plea 
It is enough that Jesus died 
And that He died for me 

My great physician heals the sick 
The lost He came to save 
For me His precious blood He shed 
For me His life He gave 

My heart is leaning on the Word 
The written Word of God 
Salvation by my Savior’s name 
Salvation through His blood

It’s day 1 of the true “stay at home” order; however, for most of us life hasn’t really changed much. We’ve been acting this way. We’ve been staying “socially distant” from others and only going out for essential items. But now it’s a bit more official, and it feels a little more…I don’t know how to put it…ominous is some way. Not in the sense of doomsday, but just a little bit more unsettling.

In and of itself, this time is not peaceful. Though we may be at home and less hectic, the nature of what we are going through does not engender peace in us. It brings up worry, fear, anxiety, fretting, uncertainty, and much more. It’s not merely concern about health, but about the economy and the future. It goes to show where our peace is actually found. So much of what the world (and we) have likely relied on for peace and security has been blatantly removed from us. We need true peace.

John 14 - the beginning of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse.” There is so much in this chapter that we could look at, but I will only draw our attention to one verse:

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

There is something decidedly different about the peace of Christ. Take some time and meditate on how different and greater the peace of Christ is than any other source of peace we could rely upon. His peace is peace within the storm. It is peace in the good, in the bad, in the ugly (sorry, that just kind of rolled right off the keyboard). But this is a time for you to consider his peace. Take some time and pray and thank God for the peace that is everlasting, that is surpassingly great, that is beyond understanding, that touches every area of life. Christ’s peace is solid and secure. It is everlasting.

Two songs for you today. The first is from the Gettys. I’ll post these lyrics:

May the peace of God, our heav'nly Father,
And the grace of Christ, the risen Son,
And the fellowship of God the Spirit
Keep our hearts and minds within His love.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

May this peace which passes understanding,
And this grace which makes us what we are,
And this fellowship of His communion,
Make us one in spirit and in heart.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

Here is the second, by Fernando Ortega. It’s a beautiful song. Enjoy.

As we continue on with our isolation - and now it has been codified a bit more with a “Stay at home” order from Governor DeWine yesterday. It has me thinking about a good deal of things. But what I want to consider right now is something about who we are. As we face uncertain times, and everyone is going through this, as the people of God, what is it that makes us distinct?

When you think about the American people throughout history you think of resilience. You think about the whole grand American experiment - the melting pot. I think about how advanced we have become in technology. I think about my great grandmother who saw from the first car and first flight to the space shuttle in her lifetime. We have so much understanding of the way the physical world works. But this one is being tested right now by a microscopic virus that has wreaked havoc on much of the world’s economy and psyche as it is causing fear and anxiety to run rampant.

Those things above are really true of so many - but what is it about God’s people that sets them apart? How is it that God’s people are distinct?

Exodus 33:

14 And [the LORD] said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 And [Moses] said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” 

Moses pleaded with the Lord that His presence would continue to go with the people. Moses knew that was what set the people of Israel apart from all others.

[On a contextual note: this pleading came after the horrific golden calf incident. Moses had been delayed on the mountain (40 days) and the people clamored for Aaron to make them gods to worship. Aaron instructed the people to take off their gold and bring it all to him. And he fashioned an idol in the shape of a calf. Then he made a proclamation: Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD (32:5). The audacity to proclaim that the calf he had just made was Yahweh - was the God who brought them out of the land of Egypt. It is easy to see why the Lord called them a “stiff-necked people.”]

Moses understood that context, but he also knew that without the presence of the Lord going with them all - going on was not an option. And by Moses’ intercession, his mediation, the Lord promised His presence. Here is a beautiful aspect to this story: Moses prefigured the intercession and work of Christ on behalf of His people. We could spend much time looking at this, but back to the focus of the presence of God with His people - with those He has redeemed from slavery. God’s presence is with his people - and today that is not an ethnic group, but those who are called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). God is with the church.

It makes me think of one of the last interactions Jesus had with his disciples.

17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:17-20)

The promise of His presence. That is what makes us distinct. God is with us. He will never leave or forsake His people (Hebrews 13:5). And His presence is empowering. In this time - we (the church) has a tremendous opportunity to be a witness to the power and presence of God.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Let us rest in His presence, and live as people who know this promise. May we be witnesses to His greatness and glory to all around us, especially in these times of great uncertainty. One thing is certain - those who know the Lord will be with him for all eternity.

This song may not be a perfect fit to all that I have written, but it is a beautiful song about our ability to rest in God’s work and his presence with us.

In John 12:27, 28 we read these words:

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

The soul of Jesus was troubled. He had just mentioned in 12:24 that a grain of wheat must fall and die in order to bear much fruit - a picture of his death that would bear much fruit. It is certainly understandable that Jesus’ soul would be troubled. What he was to do was take the wrath of God against the sins of His people upon Himself. It is impossible for us to fathom that weight. Yet Jesus was resolute. He knew his purpose. And he also knew that it all was for the glory of the Father. His commitment was the to will of God and the glory of God.

Where is our commitment? It is likely that many of us are troubled right now. We don't know what is going to happen today, next week, next month. It is a time of uncertainty. But what are we committed to? The Westminster Shorter Catechism’s first question and answer is this:

Question: What is man’s chief end?

Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Father - glorify Your name! May that be our chief concern in all that we face these days (and every day after this coronavirus has passed). The glory of God. And know this, pursuing the will of God will bring enjoyment. It will bring satisfaction no matter what it takes us through.

This reminds me of two passages. First, Isaiah 53:11, as it gives a picture of the work and sacrifice of the Suffering Servant - of Christ himself.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; 

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, 

make many to be accounted righteous, 

and he shall bear their iniquities. 

From the anguish of His own soul He was satisfied. He accomplished the salvation of His people by His death and resurrection. He bore our sin upon Himself. Let us look to Him in everything.

And next, Hebrews 12:1,2:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

I’ll leave that text to speak for itself. And I’ll leave you with another Michael Card song - “A Violent Grace.”

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 

2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; 

I have no good apart from you.” 

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, 

in whom is all my delight. 

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; 

their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out 

or take their names on my lips. 

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; 

you hold my lot. 

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; 

in the night also my heart instructs me. 

8 I have set the Lord always before me; 

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; 

my flesh also dwells secure. 

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, 

or let your holy one see corruption. 

11 You make known to me the path of life; 

in your presence there is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

The heart of the believer is one that recognizes that apart from God, there is no good. No matter what else you may have: perfect health, wealth, a seeming long list of friends - if one does not know God, one does not truly know what is good. But, for those though who know God, no matter what our circumstances we can truly say that in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. We may not experience that right now, or daily, but we will for an eternity in the Lord’s presence know the ultimate good. That is a hope to rest on. That is a refuge in which to run.

Well, yesterday (or the day before) this video began to circulate across social media. It was started by actress Gal Gadot and it’s a mashup of different celebrities singing “Imagine” by John Lennon. Apparently it was meant to be a comfort in this time of isolation and anxiety and fear, but honestly, I can’t imagine (pardon the pun) anything worse. To sing “Imagine there’s no heaven…” is diametrically opposed to the truth that we all need to hear.

This morning one of my readings was Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s….

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, (Psalm 103:1-5, 15-17)

[Here is another song to listen to that beautifully captures this part of the Psalm]

That is the truth we need to hear. There is forgiveness. There is hope in God. Our biggest problem is not COVID-19 (as big of a problem as that is), but it’s sin and rebellion against a holy God.

Another reading was John 10 - 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 

So, not only is there a heaven, but there is a God in heaven who sent his only Son to lay down his life for the sheep (his children) so that they could be with him in heaven for all eternity. That is the news we all need to hear.

On many mornings I pull out my guitar while I read and pray, and this morning I sang “All Must Be Well.” The words here are what someone should put out on the web and have go viral (pardon that reference too - but it’s what we say). They are a decided contrast to the whole misguided idea of “Imagine.” This is actually a song of comfort. Listen. Sing along. Rest in the truth of God’s good and gracious hand being upon his children.

Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well 
Free and changeless is His favor, all is well 
Precious is the blood that healed us 
Perfect is the grace that sealed us 
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us 
All must be well 

Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well 
Ours is such a full salvation, all is well 
Happy still in God confiding 
Fruitful if in Christ abiding 
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding 
All must be well 

We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well 
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well 
On our Father's love relying 
Jesus every need supplying 
Yes in living or in dying 
All must be well