I feel His voice calling me to come away, time on my knees to start this day –

the clock is ticking, time is slipping, pulling, telling me no time to stay, no time to pray –

what keeps me from my knees just now? the fear that if my knees should bow – not soon would I rise again, how could I leave once I began?

confessions spilling, long overdue – followed by pleas for grace from You –

the people are many, their needs are so great – the pain so deep, it cannot wait –

intercession will not wait till an hour that never comes, now on bended knees till it is done –

no end I see to my heart’s cries, I want Your wisdom, not worldly wise –

what keeps me from our time of prayer? fear I should never rise once there –

for who would choose to leave Your throne room? an audience with the King? to return to earthly tasks and cares, like Moses leaving the mountain top – I’m sure he’d rather have stayed with You – but You had work for him to do –

just giving You thanks would take all day, gladly on my knees I’d stay – Your praises never ending I would declare, while I remained in Your presence there –

many are the petitions I would plead, for myself and others in so much need – You are the answer to every request, to all You have made You bestow what is best

oh precious the time on bended knees with You! it never truly ends, as prayers are never through

I only ask when I leave this sacred place, Your Presence go with me, fill me with Your grace.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

“Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer!” (old hymn)

sincerely, Grace Day

I’ve been very busy lately. I’ve been busy bungee jumping, busy making mountains out of molehills, busy trying to move those mountains that I made because now they’re in my way. But mostly I’ve been busy searching for the burning bush. Why the burning bush, you ask? After all, there are plenty of things on fire these days. Does it have to be a bush? Will any bush do? And what could I possibly want with a burned out bush? These are things I am sure you must be thinking right about now.

I am looking for a burning bush because that’s where God is, where God speaks, where His voice is heard. At least that’s where Moses met God and heard His voice – at the burning bush. So naturally, I’m on the lookout for a burning bush. I want to hear from God like Moses did. I want some clear direction, some reassurance that I’m on the right path. Ok, I know we’re supposed to walk by faith and not by sight, but is it so wrong to want the burning bush experience?

So my search for a burning bush continues. Moses was tending flocks when he had his encounter. It went down like this. “Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight – why the bush does not burn up.’ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’ . . . Then He (God) said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.” (Exodus 3:2-6)

It was during this burning bush encounter that Moses received his marching orders from God, so to speak. God wanted Moses to go to Egypt and free the enslaved Israelites. No small task to be sure, but God promised His presence would be with Moses at all times. This would be the first of many conversations between God and Moses and God did indeed go with him. During Moses’ and the Israelites’ days in the desert, God’s presence was in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, both displaying His visible presence abiding with them, leading, guiding and protecting His people every step of the way. God’s presence does all those things and more. Who wouldn’t want His presence in the burning bush experience?

Now there are plenty of fires burning all around me nowadays. But these fires are burning things up, unlike the bush that Moses saw burning and yet not burned up. This is what got Moses’ attention in the first place. I’m sure it would get my attention too. But am I looking in all the wrong places? Elijah wanted a word with God, he was alone and in danger and didn’t know what to do. He didn’t get a burning bush conversation, however. This is what happened to him –

“The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, . . . The Lord said to him,” (1 Kings 19:11-15)

Interesting isn’t it, this time God wasn’t in the fire. His voice was in the gentle whisper that came after wind, earthquake and fire. It was then Elijah heard God’s voice and received His instructions about what to do next. “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. . . . ” (1 Kings 19:15) Maybe I don’t need a burning bush in order to hear a word from God. (actually I have a book full of words from God, which Moses didn’t have at the time of his burning bush meeting)

Even now, I confess – a song is running through my head and it seems particularly relevant to right now. “This is my Father’s world, He shines in all that’s fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.” (old hymn) God is speaking – I just need to be still and to listen! He will speak to me anywhere and everywhere. In fact Psalm 19:1-4 tells me that God is doing just that, speaking to me non-stop –

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

burning bushes abound – speak Lord, for your servant is listening –

sincerely, Grace Day

hold on, hold on to hope – though nothing else remains – though no signs point the way

keep your heart from harm, and believe the light will come – don’t give in to despair

all is gone but hope, hold on – nothing else remains, hope alone sustains

the dream, the promise, real only in your heart –

hold on, don’t let go – when God will act, we do not know

hold on to hope, be ready the promise to receive

hold on to hope, when there’s no reason to believe

hold on to hope, God’s promise to receive

the silence loud, the darkness deep, now’s when hope your heart must keep – from breaking, burdened with the pain – let instead His Presence reign

hold on to hope, never ceasing prayers – hold fast to hope, letting go all cares

Let His perfect love cast out all fears – hold on to hope across the years

hold on to hope, your Deliverer will come – to take you home with Him when everything is done.

hold on to hope, there will be music once again – with joy and laughter, light and love – signaling sorrow’s end

hold on to hope, let hope fill sorrow’s space – hold on to hope, for soon you will see His face.

“You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever.” (Psalm 30:11-12)

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

holding onto hope, sincerely, Grace Day

What do You want with me, Jesus of Nazareth? I’m just a broken vessel, the pieces of my life lie scattered over the ground.

What do You see in me, Jesus of Nazareth? a broken vessel is of no value in this world.

Why did You die for me, Jesus of Nazareth? Only miracles make broken vessels whole again.

I have nothing to offer You, just broken pieces if You want them. But I must warn You, I have tried to mend myself. I made me the biggest and the best and the most beautiful I could be. I wanted rivers of life to be poured from me. But there were cracks in my vessel and the precious water drained away. I’ve put my pieces back together so many times, Lord, that I’m weary of even trying yet again. And always, there are holes.

Can You really make me into a vessel that You can use to pour out Your love? Then do it, Lord! For I want to be whole! Make me Your most beautiful and important vessel for all to behold. And then I shall fill myself with all the wonderful things I desire.

What’s that Lord? You can’t use my vessel? There isn’t room for You? Sure there is! Oh, You want it all? No thanks, I’m happy being the biggest and the best and the most important . . .

Lord, my vessel’s cracked again, under the weight of worldly joys. Maybe I filled it just a little too full? Maybe those joys turned out to be a heavier burden than I bargained for. Can You mend my vessel?

Only if I give it to You? Then I would be Your vessel. Would You make me big and glorious? Trust You? Ok, Lord, but no more cracks, please.

I’m Your vessel now, Lord, waiting to be filled. Give me rivers of life . . .

But Lord, this is only a cup of water – I don’t understand – I want to water the world . . .

A cup at a time? Your water doesn’t leak out now but what if I run dry? Couldn’t You give me more?

A cup at a time?

Maybe I shouldn’t give it away? What’s that You say, Lord?

Your vessels never run dry? Because You are the River of Life? Because You are the Living Water?

Then fill me, Lord, just a cup at a time and I will pour it out on Your lost, thirsty people, one cup at a time.

I am just a small, unadorned, earthen vessel. That’s how You made me. You are the Potter who fashioned me for Your good purposes.

You are the One who heals all my broken cracks or uses me just as I am, in my broken state, cracks and all. After all, Your living water can pour through my many holes and cracks easily, wherever You send me, to water Your world – one cup at a time . . .

So fill me, Lord, from the river of Your living water – fill me a cup at a time, and I will be faithful to pour it out, one cup at a time.

“Jesus answered, ‘ . . . whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ ” (John 4:14)

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

“But this precious treasure – this light and power that now shine within us – is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own.” (2 Corinthians 4:7/Living Bible)

receiving and pouring out living water, one cup at a time –

sincerely, Grace Day

Happy Birthday U.S.A.! we celebrate your birth today – you’ve come such a long, long way, it’s fitting that we pause to pay, honor to you on this day.

A bloody birth, as all births are, from painful pangs new life emerged – a nation “conceived in liberty” came to be, a home for those who would live free.

A people no longer serving a king, now free to serve God – let freedom ring!

You are quite young, as nations go – still you have faced many a foe, in your short two-hundred forty-five years, you’ve overcome many enemies, persevering through tears –

the world watches with wonder at the gifts you give your citizens, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” you have purchased at great price for all those who call you home –

Oh, America – you shelter us from the storms of oppression and tyranny, you stand guard, that city on a hill, casting freedom’s glow for others to follow in your footsteps – if only they dared –

to pay the price of Freedom’s cost, many lives have been lost – given up for Freedom’s cause, today we celebrate and pause –

to give God thanks for His mercies overflowing, one nation under God all-knowing, blessed under His almighty hand, allowed the test of time to stand,

another birthday to commemorate, all that makes our country great! so let flags fly while fireworks fill a summer night’s sky, and let us tell our children why –

people travel across the sea, seeking life and liberty – wanting to call our country home, love her as if she were their own –

yes, let flags fly and parades pass by, and drum beats drum while choruses sing, the Star Spangled Banner is heard to ring –

across the country from every city and town, while flags are flying, fireworks falling down –

in wild arcs of color lighting up the sky, celebrating another year gone by.

remember the ride of Paul Revere, warning that danger was drawing near? – his call was heeded, the patriots prevailed – still today, as a hero he is hailed.

many more have followed in his path, protecting our nation against an enemy’s wrath. to keep this a land of the free, so many have been brave, fighting countless battles, our country they did save.

today the flags are flying over this land of the free, reminding us how precious is the gift of liberty. may I be like Nathan Hale, willing my life to spend, brave in the face of danger, willing Freedom to defend.

America, may your dream remain, the hope of so many to attain. Let all be free who enter here, may Freedom flourish another year! Let every voice be heard without fear – all equal in God’s sight, it is God who gives us our unalienable rights.

today let flags fly in celebration, like the flag at Iwo Jima, let them fly in commemoration – of tragedies and triumphs along our history’s bumpy road – always may Freedom’s story with clarity be told –

today, let the flags fly, let our banners wave – may God grant this land remain home of the free and the brave.

today, let the flags fly, let Freedom’s light burn bright – let patriotic chorus echo long into the night.

Happy Birthday U.S.A., may we celebrate and cherish you well – may we never forget your birthday, nor the story your birthday tells.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)

sincerely, Grace Day

Water was washing over the sides of the boat as the waves rocked it every which way. The people in the boat were scared, panicked really. This storm had come upon them so suddenly, the sea had been calm only moments before. But now they were all afraid for their very lives. Except for the one who was asleep in the stern. The storm didn’t seem to bother him. Had the rocking of the boat rocked him to sleep? No matter, if the storm didn’t wake him, the others in the sinking boat would. And so they cried out to him, “Teacher, don’t You care if we drown?”

His response? “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:39) The reaction from the other passengers in the boat? “They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!’ ” (Mark 4:41)

Seems like they didn’t know their sleeping passenger as well as they thought they did, since they were now questioning His identity. And well they should question who he was. After all, each one of them had just recently left everything to follow Jesus and become His disciple. They had heard Him teach. They had watched Him heal a man with leprosy and a paralytic who got up and walked after Jesus forgave his sins. Then there was the man in the synagogue with a shriveled hand, whom Jesus healed on the Sabbath. This had created quite the controversy among the current religious leaders, really rocked the boat, so to speak.

And now they found themselves in a literally rocking boat with Jesus. Why would the wind and the waves obey this man? Because He created them! “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3)

The disciples did not fully realize who Jesus was at this time or they wouldn’t have asked the “who is this man?” question. But they did and Jesus’s response to His disciples was, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

Maybe it is easier to have faith when the sea is calm and no one rocks the boat. But when the storms of life come, as they inevitably do, our faith is tested. The disciples had witnessed Jesus doing miraculous things. He had rocked their world and nothing would ever be the same again. But as their boat filled with water, their faith seemed to blow away with the winds of the storm that rocked their boat. Still, they had what mattered most – Jesus presence with them.

Jesus was with them in that storm, He was right there with them in their boat. They were not alone! I need to remember that when times grow dark for me and I know I am in the middle of a storm, tossed about – my boat, my world, rocked every which way. But – I am not alone. I have my Heavenly Father’s promise of His presence which says,

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The disciples were not alone that day in the boat in the storm, but they felt like they were. They felt like Jesus didn’t know about or care about their imminent predicament. He was sleeping through their time of need! Or so it appeared. I confess – I guess I sometimes feel that way, too. In the middle of my storm, when it looks like the waves are winning and my rocking boat will capsize, I call out to Jesus like the disciples did, wondering – don’t You see what’s happening to me, Jesus? don’t You care? I think I know how the disciples felt in those moments of overwhelming terror. Remember, they asked much the same thing of Jesus, saying –

“Teacher, don’t You care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38) The answer is a resounding, reassuring, yes, God cares. He cares about me and about you, dear reader. And He’s on duty twenty-four/seven.

“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:2-8)

When circumstances cause choppy seas to rock my boat, I can know that Jesus is in the boat with me, just as He was in the boat with the disciples and just as He was in the furnace with Daniel’s three friends. My boat will be rocked often in this life. I thank God for His presence through it all.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:1-2)

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

“God is our (my) refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

sincerely, Grace Day

We all have them – scars both visible and invisible. These are the scars we accumulate as we go through life. They are inevitable. They are irrevocable. They remind us of things that perhaps we would rather forget. But our scars tell our stories for better or for worse. Scars are good storytellers because they always tell the truth. Scars don’t lie.

I confess – I have my fair share of scars. Everyone does. I feel like my invisible scars far outnumber my visible ones, however. I’m guessing most people feel this way. The wounds we carry within ourselves, the scars on our hearts and minds and souls cut deep and cause much pain. We humans are the “walking wounded” for sure.

Those who have served our country in the military certainly live with many scars, both external and internal. We see their sacrifice on our behalf when we behold their missing arms or legs or see them in wheelchairs. But the deeper battle scars they carry inside themselves, in their hearts and minds and souls, are not known to others because they are hidden from view. Being invisible, however, doesn’t diminish the damage the enemy did, leaving a scar in his wake as a permanent reminder of the battle.

So we are each walking through this life battle scarred and battle weary. No wonder the words, “be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle you know nothing about”, are such good advice. Each one of us is fighting many battles, battles against enemies both visible and invisible. (I wrote last about fighting “the invisible enemy”) The invisible enemy of our souls leaves the most deadly, albeit invisible, scars. We have such a hard time understanding each other. It doesn’t help that we can’t see each others’ scars. We all long for someone to understand our scars, to understand us. And there is such a person! Hebrews 4:14-16 tells me this,

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Jesus understands and accepts you and me, with all of our scars. Turns out, Jesus accumulated plenty of scars Himself during His time here on earth. Isaiah 53:4-6 tells us about His scars, saying about Jesus,

“Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Our scars tell our stories. Jesus’s scars tell the greatest story ever told. It is a love story, a story of the best kind of love – true, eternal and self-sacrificing. It is a story of rebellion, redemption, rescue, reconciliation, forgiveness and everlasting life. We call this story the Gospel or the Good news. A story foretold from the beginning of time, this Gospel story continues to be told and retold century after century. Jesus’s nail scarred hands and feet, His thorn scarred brow and His whip lashed back will continue to tell His story eloquently for eternity.

What about you and me and our scars? Philippians 3:20-21 tells me that –

“our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”

The words of a favorite hymn say it best – “Crown Him the Lord of love; behold His hands and side, those wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.”

Those scars that Jesus bears from His crucifixion, will still be telling their true story of forgiveness, redemption, salvation and eternal life when we meet Him face to face. We will recognize Him by His scars and Jesus will know us by ours, because He already knows your story and my story, complete with every scar we carry. Jesus’s sword pierced side and nail pierced hands and feet are His battle scars. These are the scars by which you and I are healed.

Oh, dear readers, we will carry our battle scars with us into heaven because they tell our true stories. In Jesus’s presence, our scars will be made beautiful. They will no longer be sources of pain and sorrow, but reminders and evidences of God’s protection and deliverance during every battle we ever fought against our enemies, both visible and invisible.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

sincerely, Grace Day

I’m still thinking about superheros and their prominence in our cultural narratives. From Star Trek to Star Wars to Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings – the battle between good and evil continues to be waged in story, on screen and on stage. Literature is filled with heroes and heroines and littered with defeated villains. Every era has had its heroes, like King Arthur’s knights of the round table. To this day, we call a “knight in shining armor” someone who champions the right and defeats those who would cause harm or do evil. Throughout history the battle between good and evil has raged without interruption, intermission or even a truce.

Enemies seem to be everywhere. Some are easier to recognize than others, however. Take Goliath, for instance. He was definitely a clear and present danger to the Israelites. David had no trouble recognizing this giant as the enemy, when he went out to do battle against him. In the Revolutionary War, the British were referred to as the “Red Coats” for a reason. This was their military uniform, which easily identified them as the enemy the Patriots were fighting.

In the battles we fight, it is necessary to be able to clearly identify just who it is that we are fighting against. Who is the enemy? What do they look like? If I can’t see my opponent, how can I defend myself? How can I engage in battle if I don’t know who my enemy is? I sense the battle is in full progress all around me. And it feels familiar to me. No wonder. It is the battle Adam and Eve fought in the garden. It is the battle each one of us fight every day from cradle to grave. This explains why all the narratives that surround us are really just one story, repeated over and over again – the playing out of the struggle between good and evil. Every book I read, every movie I watch has a hero and a villain duking it out to see who will prevail in the end.

Who wins in the end? That is the question. Ephesians chapter six gives me some good news and some bad news. My enemy is clearly identified – good news. My enemy is invisible – bad news. How do I fight an invisible enemy – an enemy I cannot see? It seems like an unfair advantage to me. But Ephesians chapter six instructs me how best to prepare myself for this daily battle.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Ok, so there’s the identification of my enemy and the revelation that he is invisible. What follows next are my instructions for how to fight my invisible enemy.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:13-18)

So there it is. I need to put on God’s full armor everyday. If I do, I will be protected and prepared to fight my battle with evil, as I am called to do each day. God supplies what I need – a belt, (of truth) a breastplate, (of righteousness) shoes, (supplying the steadiness of the gospel) a shield, (of faith) a helmet, (of salvation) and a sword (the word of God). This is how I am to dress for the battle. As for my battle strategy? I am given that as well. I am told to pray. God’s word and prayer. Those are the divine weapons with which I am to fight against my invisible enemy.

It is easy to feel discouraged in this battle because it often seems like evil is triumphing over good. But Jesus gave a spoiler alert in John 16:33 –

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

When all seems lost, I persevere. I don’t lose hope – the One who calls me is faithful. His words are ever before me –

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

sincerely, Grace Day

well, I know I do at least – want a superhero, that is. You know, someone to rescue me from danger, from certain impending doom, from the life- threatening situation in which I find myself. Yes, that’s what I need – someone to save me from myself as much as from the evil in this world. But will I recognize my superhero when he comes for me?

Now superheros have been around for awhile. Superman appeared in comics in 1938, followed by Batman in 1939. Joined by Wonder Woman, Spider Man, The Comet, The Flash, and many more over time, we see these and other superheros in movies as well as comics today. These heroes and heroines are always unmistakable. They have super powers and they wear special costumes – unless they are off duty, in which case they wear regular clothes in order to blend in, just as Superman did. He was Clark Kent, mild mannered reporter, until he changed clothes and became Superman. (maybe the clothes really do make the man? after all, there’s nothing like a cape if one of your super powers is flying)

Superheros are unmistakable. They are easily recognized and impossible to overlook in their distinctive, colorful costumes. Even if their faces are masked, their identity is clear. They have come to save the day. These superheros fight for what is right. They protect the weak and fight against evil. They even formed a Justice League to fight for “truth, justice and the American Way.” These comics and movies are still very popular today. It seems we can’t get enough of watching this battle between good and evil play out in scene after scene. And each time, we hold our breath wondering who will win.

So I wonder, will I recognize my superhero? Who’s coming for me? Turns out, He’s come, He’s gone and He’s coming back again. The Israelites didn’t recognize Him when He came. They were waiting and watching for their promised deliverer, their superhero, if you will. But they missed Him. He had been prophesied and promised to them centuries before. However, they were still waiting, still in bondage to Roman occupation and oppression, still longing to be rescued by this Messiah who would defeat their enemies and set everything right. He was going to be one powerful, mighty Messiah when He came. He would be unmistakable – and yet –

they did not recognize the baby born in a manger. He came into the world without fanfare (well, by earth’s standards – all of heaven was celebrating big time) He came without power or position or influence, born to poor parents – He entered earth as a helpless infant, not a powerful military leader. And that’s what they were looking for, someone with military might who could defeat their Roman captors. This baby didn’t seem to fit the description they had been given in Isaiah 9:6-7 which says,

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

Like the Israelites, I need a deliverer. I need a superhero to rescue me. I am engaged in a great battle. A battle that Paul described so well in Romans chapter seven, that I thought he was talking about me. Paul described our human predicament this way,

“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:21-25)

Who will rescue me? that is the question indeed. And like Paul, Timothy responds to that question with the same answer,

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

Colossians 1:13-14 tells me more about what the superhero of my soul has done for me –

“For He has rescued us (me) from the dominion of darkness and brought us (me) into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we (I) have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, the Savior of the world, the superhero sent to save my soul and your soul from eternal death. I confess – His methods are not what I would have expected or looked for in a superhero but then I realize that I am given a head’s up in Isaiah 55:8-9 with these words of explanation,

” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ”

Jesus may not have behaved like our typical comic book/movie superheros (although He did heal a lot of people, walk on water, turn water into wine, feed thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves of bread – but still, not the military might and conquest the Israelites were desiring) Jesus’s methods and instructions were a bit unorthodox actually, not your typical superhero modus operandi. In Matthew 5:44 I read,

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

This is harder to do than simply fighting my enemies outright! But I am told in Romans 12:21,

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Jesus has overcome darkness with His light, hate with His love, evil with His goodness, lies with the truth of His Word, and He has defeated my mortal enemy – death. Jesus did this by His own death and resurrection.

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when He comes, those who belong to Him. Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-26)

sounds like a happy ending to me, all enemies not just conquered, but destroyed. The rescue I most need – the saving of my soul, the forgiveness of my sins – all accomplished for me by Jesus. He truly is the rescuer I long for, the superhero I want fighting for me.

today I will remember the instruction that Moses gave to the Israelites when he said,

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

sincerely, Grace Day

God is “able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within me,” (Ephesians 3:20) What do I ask Him for? Could it be that I “have not because I ask not.”? (James 4:2) Or am I asking Him for all the wrong things? C.S. Lewis said something really interesting when he said,

“It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

I think that may be true, Maybe it’s not that I ask God for too much, but perhaps I believe Him for and ask Him for too little. That may have been the case with the paralytic lowered by his four friends down through the roof of the home in which Jesus was teaching those gathered together there. The paralytic’s friends had to cut a hole in the roof because the crowd assembled to hear Jesus teach was so large that they couldn’t get their paralyzed friend into the house to see Jesus any other way. This roof entrance may seem like a drastic measure, but the stakes were high. They believed Jesus could heal their friend of his infirmity. So they sought access to Jesus by any means necessary.

What they sought from Jesus was physical healing of their friend’s body. This would be a miraculous, wonderful thing and they would be completely satisfied with this outcome. It didn’t occur to them to ask for anything more. (in their defense, they knew Jesus was a healer, but they did not yet realize who He really was – aka – the long awaited, promised Messiah, the Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Creator and Sustainer of the universe) Had they known Jesus’s true identity, perhaps they would have been bold enough to ask for more. (they had already demonstrated their belief in Jesus’s ability to heal physical ailments and their boldness by going to any lengths to obtain such a healing) Could they believe Jesus for more and be bold enough to ask Him for more?

But what would that “more” be? What could be more desirable than to be made physically whole again, after living years in a body broken and hurting? Jesus actually answered that question for them with His first words to their paralytic friend. We read what happened in Mark 2:4-5 –

“Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ ”

Not exactly what they were seeking or asking of Jesus, not what they wanted, not what they were expecting. Nor was this something they even thought their friend needed. Their friend needed a physical healing. This much was obvious to anyone who saw him. Never mind that a physical healing would be temporary at best, because we all leave these earthly, temporal bodies behind eventually. But Jesus saw beyond this man’s immediate, temporal need to his deepest need – a need with eternal consequences. This man desired a temporal healing. Jesus wanted to give him so much more. Jesus wanted to give him eternal life, the salvation of his soul, the joy of the forgiveness of his sins.

As C.S. Lewis pointed out, sometimes we are too easily satisfied with the things of this world when our Heavenly Father wants to give us so much more. We don’t ask too much of God, we desire Him too little and we ask too little from Him. (especially since He wants to give us all things, as He did not even spare His own Son – Romans 8:32) So our story continues as the onlookers react to Jesus giving the paralytic something he did not know to ask Jesus for, something much more valuable than he could ever ask or imagine.

“Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ‘Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ . . . and He (Jesus) said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ‘ He said to the paralytic, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.” (Mark 6-12) Luke adds in his account, “and went home praising God.”

So Jesus, in His great compassion, fulfilled both the temporal and the eternal need of this man. The crowds that followed Jesus were seeking food (the feeding of the five thousand) and miraculous, physical healings. Jesus wanted to give them so much more. Abundance awaited them, but they didn’t know it was even possible. Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well reveals this abundance that awaits me for the asking.

“Jesus answered her, (the Samaritan woman) ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.’ ‘Sir,’ the woman said, ‘. . . Where can you get this living water?’ . . . Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water (from the well) will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ ” (John 4:10-14)

Jesus was ready and willing to give this woman so much more than she could ever think to ask or imagine. It was hers for the asking. And ask she did!

“The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.’ ” (John 4:15)

This woman didn’t ask at first because she didn’t know who it was that spoke these words to her. But when Jesus revealed His true identity things changed. We read the rest of the story in John 4 –

“The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘I who speak to you am He.’ . . . Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, . . . (and later) They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’ ” (John 25-26 & 39-42)

Abundance awaits! While He was here, Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, the lame walked and the lepers were cleansed. But He came to do so much more than we could ever hope for or ask for or imagine. Jesus said,

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Many translations say ” . . . and have it more abundantly.”

God’s abundance awaits for the asking.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Abundance awaits!

sincerely, Grace Day