Pocket Thoughts - 2/20/26
God * draws nations and kings to His marvelous light * will one day make peace our governor and well-being our ruler * will be our everlasting light and our glory.
*****
When God spoke to Ezekiel (as recorded in the second chapter of the book of Ezekiel), He addressed him as a “son of man,” distinguishing Ezekiel as a mortal, finite being in contrast to God’s divine, glorious nature. Ezekiel was overcome and unable to stand before his holy God, but the Spirit came to him and lifted him to his feet. Then the Lord spoke a message for His people, entrusting its delivery to a man God saw as obedient and willing to accept the task in front of him. Ezekiel was overwhelmed and possibly confused by all the Lord had revealed, but he knew these were the words of God and were of great significance because of the One Who spoke them. God knew Ezekiel’s fragility as an imperfect man, but He empowered Ezekiel by His Spirit to help him with the assigned mission. God still works in the same way today. He seeks out willing, obedient hearts and tasks them with the privilege of living as His ambassadors and sharing the gospel of peace with the world. But as in the case of Ezekiel, God never sends us out alone. We never work in our own power. We aren’t saddled with the responsibility of coming up with the message. God fills us with His Spirit, gives us the strength to finish strong, and provides the words He wants us to proclaim to a world in need of His grace and forgiveness. What an honor to serve the King of glory! – TV
*****
A great earthquake happens with the opening of the sixth seal in Revelation 6. The sun turns black, the moon turns blood red, and the stars fall to earth. These are signs of God’s imminent judgment. Sin has corrupted not only the hearts of men but creation itself. All people from every station in life – rich and poor, powerful and lowly, slave and free – flee to the caves and rocks to try to hide from the holy God Who sees and knows all. They cry out for the rocks to fall on them and crush them. There is opportunity to turn to the Lord in repentance and to receive His mercy and salvation, but even amid such deep distress, pride and stubbornness keep them from calling to Him. They have chosen God’s justice over His mercy, and justice they will receive. God’s wrath is reserved for those who reject His Son and choose to be their own gods. But those who seek refuge and righteousness in the Lordship of Jesus will be saved by their faith. The burden of longing for our lost loved ones to know and love our Lord grows heavier as Christ’s return draws nearer. God uses hard, troubling circumstances to shake people awake. Pray for soft hearts, and trust that God is giving your loved ones every opportunity to turn to Him. As much as you want them to know Him, He wants it infinitely more. – TV
*****
It can be easy to pass judgment on the Israelites for complaining on their journey to the Promised Land, but we can be just as guilty. The temptation in stressful situations is to grumble. There is an alternative response, and that is to thank God for what He’s doing behind the scenes. So much of what the Lord accomplishes through a trial happens in the waiting. He refines our trust, strengthens our endurance, and transforms our perspective. The Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron, thinking this would expedite their needs being met. In actuality, it only stirred up the frustration of their leaders and highlighted their lack of trust in their miracle-working God. Don’t look for the quickest way out from under your hardships. Look for God’s way. The most expedient way is seldom the best. Look to your Father with a heart that seeks to learn and grow. There will be much to celebrate and rejoice over when you come out on the other side of your troubles with a greater faith in the God Who is able! – TV
*****
Father, when I’m in the middle of a rough patch, I tend to let myself be swallowed up in the difficulty, the hurt, and the discouragement. The weeds are tall, and the sun is hot. Doubt and worry cause me to become disoriented. I’m tired and confused. How grateful I am for the song of my Savior in the distance! Fresh hope stirs in my heart. The refreshing breath of the Spirit revives me, and Living Water babbles from the Wellspring of Joy. Thank You, Lord, for always seeking me out in my distress, for always returning my feet to Your path, and for always restoring my strength and confidence in You. The days are sweet knowing I can never wander too far or find myself too stuck that Your search and rescue can’t save me. All praise to You in Jesus’ beautiful Name. Amen.
*****
“Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. Switchback after switchback. And the point of biblical stories like Joseph and Job and Esther and Ruth is to help us feel in our bones (not just know in our heads) that God is for us in all these strange turns. God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ.” – John Piper
*****
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” – Psalm 9:9-10
