Pocket Thoughts - 1/23/26
God * calls His people to meet the needs of the poor * answers the cries of His children with His presence and help * promises light to those who compassionately serve the oppressed.
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As with all of nature, even the wind is under God’s command and rule. He determines its use and direction. In Revelation 7, we find John’s vision of four angels holding back the winds of judgment. They’ll be released on God’s timetable and will blow over the entire earth, affecting all who refuse to believe and honor Him. Before the winds are released, God secures the safety and protection of His servants by placing a seal on their foreheads. His judgment isn’t precarious, but it is thorough. All of nature is at His disposal to carry out justice at His appointed time. A “great multitude” comprised of people from diverse backgrounds stands before the throne and the Lamb. Each one is known, loved, and sealed by God. His long-ago promise to Abraham to bless all nations through his offspring is seen fulfilled as this assembly gathers to worship. Robed in white, they stand righteous before the Lord, celebrating the victory only He can provide. They laud God and the Lamb, acknowledging that their salvation has come only because of God’s plan and Christ’s sacrifice. All the angels of heaven then join in the great praise-fest! “Amen!” – let it be so! The air of heaven is worship! Everything there brings praise and honor to the God Who saves us. Until we join heaven’s multitude in praise, we literally “live worship” – serving Him with everything we are and have. All we do according to God’s will is preparation and practice for life in our eternal home. As we face challenges and hardships, may we remember that whatever happens in this life is illuminating the road to heaven and the great assembly of praise to God and to the Lamb. – TV
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Some people think of the Ten Commandments as a list of rules God has given us to catch us making mistakes. That’s a sad misconception of God’s true intent, which was to establish a law of love. These laws were spoken by God Himself to the individual, addressing “you” singular. He very personally laid out a way of life that revealed His nature and His plan for meeting the needs of others in a responsible, compassionate manner. As an infant nation, Israel needed direction and guidance in how to live as God’s distinct people. These laws would provide them with a framework to establish an identity as a God-honoring people whose way of life would bring blessing and flourishing to all. Take some time to prayerfully read the Ten Commandments from the viewpoint of one of His beloved children. See how God so wisely proclaimed each one and the good accomplished when responded to in loving obedience. God’s holiness and beauty as revealed in these precious laws compel us to true worship and faithful obedience as the only right response. – TV
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When the disciples learned that Jesus was going to return to Judea to be with the family of Lazarus, they strongly protested. Only a short time prior, the Jewish leaders had attempted to stone Him there. Jesus knew what lay ahead, and He was resolute in following the Father’s will. Thomas, the disciple who would later become famous for being a doubter, in this moment stepped up and led the other disciples in accompanying Jesus to Judea – fully aware of the risk. In this moment, Thomas led out in love, courage, and loyalty. You may not feel that you’re able to accomplish much, if anything, for the kingdom of God. But God knows who He created you to be, and His Spirit will bring out those unique qualities when the time is right. Don’t waste your time and mental energy on what the world may say about you. Look to the Father and His Word for the truth, and live strong in your identity as His child. – TV
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Father, in a world of uncertainty and shifting sand, I’m grateful to find security in Your presence. My mind is kept in perfect peace as I meditate on Your goodness and kindness toward me. My life is hemmed in by obedience to Your loving, righteous instructions. My soul is held eternally safe in Your mighty hands, redeemed by the precious blood of Your Son. Nations topple, nature groans, night cometh. But I’m found in the shadow of the Almighty, “my refuge and my fortress, my God in Whom I trust.” I rest each night content in You, a quiet joy upholding my spirit. Thank You. All praise to You in the beautiful Name of Jesus. Amen.
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“The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become – because He made us. He invented us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be…It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.” – C.S. Lewis
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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-11
