kingdom travelin'

Packer on God knowing me:

There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me.

In the mountains of northern Hungary some pastors gather for January retreats. The house is in a village and is heated primarily by two wood stIves. (It is reserved for Jan. ‘23!) Each morning the ashes cleaned out and the fires lit. I was reminded of this morning discipline just now as I read this:

“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭6:12-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As followers of Jesus, we are now the tent. As such, it follows that we need to light the fire of word and prayer each morning.

“It shall be kept burning…”

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”” (Psalm‬ ‭91:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

On the journey, sometimes things come slowly. Remember that waiting is a spiritual discipline.

It requires trust. Scripture reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Waiting is a discipline. Looking at Him is a discipline. Hope is the fruit.

“Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” Psalm‬ ‭33:20-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Not the world.

Not your abilities.

Not your strength.

Not your wealth.

Not your accomplishments.

Not your legacy.

Not your fear.

Not your trouble.

Not your anxiety.

Not inflation.

Not interest rates.

Not famines.

Not war.

Not the stock market.

Not your children.

Not even “your faith”.

Look. At. God.

And God alone.

Study HIM.

Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Only in HIM can we be truly content.

Aim at Heaven, get Earth thrown in, aim at Earth, get neither. – you know who

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1:11-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬)