Let Nothing You Dismay!!

As part of our choir Christmas program this year, the men sang the first verse of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”  During the dress rehearsal (which turned into a wonderful worship venue for me) the words “let nothing you dismay” reverberated within my heart in a particularly powerful way.  It’s really just a different way of saying “take courage,” or “fear not,” but I think God wanted to impress the message upon me with greater clarity.

I’m reminded of Joshua, who was commanded by God not to fear or be dismayed.  He certainly had plenty of opportunity to question God and God’s ways, but in faith he forged ahead through all kinds of challenging scenarios.  And God did not leave him hanging – victories were won, precarious situations were always resolved so that God was shown as both powerful and loving.  The Bible contains seventeen verses that specifically tell me to not be dismayed.  All of them follow that command with the reminder that God is with me.

Once again, another old hymn comes to mind.  “Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you.  Within His arms of love abide.  God will take care of you.”

God is speaking to me and addressing my heart issues.  Satan wants me to find new reasons for discouragement all the time, and I am often an easy target.  Because Jesus has come into the world, there is no reason for dismay, or fear, or discouragement, or even disappointment.  It truly IS all good.
Lord, help me to remember your commandment: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9)

Mighty God Everlasting Father

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

In the original Hebrew script of the Old Testament, there were no commas or any other punctuation.  So the translators have made their own best judgment in putting those details in.  Therefore, there could be commas between all of these items:  wonderful, counselor, mighty, God, everlasting, Father, Prince of Peace.  Or there could be no pauses at all – just one delightfully long run-on litany of praise and adoration.

I am especially in awe of  the contraposition of the phrases "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father" in this text.   The late Bob Martin, Bible professor at Johnson University, captured this thought succinctly:   "He who is known cosmically and reverently as God is also to be known personally and lovingly as our Father in Heaven."

The very idea! -- Jesus is Mighty God, Creator of the universe, holder of all things in His hand and for His will and design;

maker of atoms and apples and ants, planets and puppies and platelets,
galaxies and guppies and gorillas,
stars and stalactites and the stratosphere,
volcanoes and violets and ultraviolet light,
waterfalls and walruses and whiskers,
rivers and rosebuds and rain, mountains and maple trees and magpies,
lilacs and lightning and lightning bugs –

this great and fearsome God of everything is also my very own Everlasting Father -- my comfort, shelter, refuge, rock, best friend, DADDY.  He hurts with me, laughs with me, loves a good joke, understands my frustrations, puts up with my tantrums, wipes away my tears in utmost sympathy and empathy, puts up with my endless complaining, guides and corrects my thoughts and actions, continually looking for the best things to give me and to pull out of me, takes pride in my very being... my Abba, my Jesus.  Oh!  What a wonderful thing to be His!

Passive Gratitude vs. Active Gratitude

Along with the trend of calling Thanksgiving "Turkey Day," I find a disturbing tendency in our culture to merely be "thankful for" various things. In any given day, you will hear lots of people say how thankful they are. It's very common to begin a conversation with "I'm so thankful that...."

It's one thing to be thankful.  It's another entirely to thank God, the giver of every good and perfect gift.  In Scripture, you will always find one of the names of God next to the words thanks and thanksgiving.  I might even go so far as to say this:  what is the point of being thankful if you have no one to thank?

So, along with making your list of what you are thankful for this year, be sure to remember who you are thankful to!

Ephesians 5:20 ...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Brighten the Corner Where You Are

Yesterday I was talking with my mother-in-law about some friends who have planned a mission trip to Thailand.   They planned the same trip last year, but were unable to go at the last minute.  This year, catastrophic flooding is preventing them from going.  It can be so frustrating to feel called to a particular place and purpose, to plan and have success in planning the event, and then find you have seemingly done so much for nothing.  However, God has shown me over and over again that nothing is ever done without purpose!

I often feel a spiritual pull toward various missions.  Most recently my prayers have been for my friends and the children of Guatemala, where I spent a short time three years ago.  I know I could be of service there!  My niece Jennifer feels the same calling to Africa, especially after a short mission trip there this past summer, but has responsibilities to finish here in the states before she can go there full-time.   Here is what I am learning:  God may be calling you, but there is always a preparation to be made, and usually not in the manner you first think.  Hold on to your dreams, but don't hold them so tightly that God can't do anything with them.  He is full of delightful surprises!

The circumstances in my life right now, the responsibilities and ties that seem to be holding me back, are actually the very places God wants me to be faithful in service now.  He is growing me and shaping me, and fitting me for the future - no matter what it holds.  All I need to focus on is Him and obeying Him, and He will take me where He needs me!

I am certainly not the only person who has ever struggled in this area.  I find great encouragement in the following story about Ina Ogden, who wrote the lyrics to the old hymn, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are."

Mrs. Ina Ogdon was selected to be on the Chautauqua Circuit. This would give her the opportunity to reach thousands around the country with her brilliant oratory. Just before she was to leave on the tour, her father was injured seriously in an automobile accident. Ina felt it necessary to cancel her plans so she could take care of her father. At first Mrs. Ogdon felt much anger and resentment against God for allowing this tragedy to happen. Gradually, however, she determined that she would be happy and remain “true to the many duties near” her. She would do her best to “brighten the corner” where God had placed her. Ina completed this poem in 1913. Later it was set to its lilting music by the well-known musician, Charles Gabriel, and it became the popular theme song of the Billy Sunday-Homer Rodeheaver campaigns. Interestingly, Mrs. Ogdon no doubt ministered effectively to more people with these challenging words, born out of despair, than she would have done with her speaking tours on the Chautauqua Circuit.

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Chorus:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

http://www.scriptureandmusic.com/Music/MIDI/Brighten_The_Corner_N.mid