Covered Completely

The winter snow does a pretty good job of covering everything. The streets and sidewalks are covered, if only for a short while. Plants and fields are covered, except for random shoots. Everywhere we look, we see the effects of fallen snow. The coverage is not complete and is only temporary.

Psalm 32:1-2 says, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” These truths are the foundation of our faith. For those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, all of our sins are forgiven through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. His blood completely and eternally covers our sins so that the Father chooses to no longer remember them, nor count them against us.

Rest From Work

I have noticed that some things that I do can make me feel more peace and rest, while other things that I do just wear me out. If I am doing something that I am good at or that I just really want to do, the effort is diminished and I don’t really feel tired afterward, although I may have worked hard. On the other hand, a supposedly easy task can feel difficult and tiring if it is something that is not meaningful to me. Rest can be found in our efforts, if our heart’s desires are fulfilled.

Hebrews 4:9-11 says, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” We should stop trying to obtain God’s favor by doing works, but rather, we should enter God’s rest by trusting in His work of salvation and redemption through the cross of Jesus Christ. We persevere in doing good works by the power of God and motivated by the love of God, rather than in order to earn God’s favor.

The Way We Should Go

When we are driving on a long trip, my wife acts as the navigator. He is adept at finding and following GPS directions. When we need refreshment and fuel along the way, she can easily find appropriate accomodations. I am confident that she will lead us in the right ways.

Isaiah 30:20-21 says, “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” God has given His Holy Spirit to those who trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. He is our Teacher, but unlike other teachers, we do not have to find Him or wait for Him. The Holy Spirit resides within the believer and teaches us what we should do and directs us in the way we should go.

Long Trip

Currently, we are traveling to another part of the country. While we can see beauty along the way, the driving can still be tedious, testing our patience. Traveling takes time and effort, with many people taking actions that delay us and even endangers us. Endurance is a constant struggle and we must draw upon strength to continue.

Colossians 1:10-11 says, “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” Walking with God and pleasing Him is not a sprint race, but rather a marathon. We need the power that He provides in order to faithfully endure moment by moment. Through this power and endurance we will bear fruit and know Him better.

Firmly Planted

As I hike through the beautiful forests in our area, I am awestruck at the majesty of the trees. They are clothed in an array of amazing colors and stand firmly planted. They point heavenward, glorifying the one who created them and who gives them life.

Isaiah 61:3 says, “to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” As God’s anointed King, Jesus Christ gives royal crowns of life instead of death’s ashes to those who trust Him. Jesus wraps His children in robes of His righteousness that we may stand firmly planted and glorify Him.