Grateful for Words That God Can't Do

“…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”—Matthew 28:20, New Living Translation

When the psalmist implores, “be still and know that I Am GOD,” the most wonderful and unexpected things can happen when you even attempt to put that promise to the test. And whenever they do, you wonder why you haven’t put it to the test more often. Daily. Throughout the day. But it’s also good to remember that good habits for a lifetime begin with one small bite. Or, one small bite all over again for the gazillionth time. It’s OK. The One whose Love endures forever seems to have an amazingly endless supply of patience and desire for us to draw near.

This week, during one of those small bites into God's goodness, the simple goal was to exhale, to get the brain to slow down for a few minutes, and marinate on who He is and who He has been faithfully in my life, during that day, in that moment—all the big things, of course, but anything of any size that came to mind. It’s all from His hands, after all. The awkward stillness began to disappear as the marinated list, and my attitude and faith, grew and grew. Until at one point, I was filled with gratitude and amazement overflowing about one thing in particular that took me by surprise:

There are certain words that God can’t do or be, simply because they are contrary to His nature. Words like "lie, "unfaithful," and "disappear." But there are also certain words concerning one timely topic in particular ("where are You, God?") that God can’t practice, for the same reason. For the God who can do anything, putting “God” and “can’t” in the same sentence seems nuts..until you utter these words:

Sleep.

Slumber.

Doze. 

Snooze.

Nap.

Siesta.

And, He can't "be" their multiple word cousins:

Asleep-at-the-switch.

Caught-off-guard.

Our day may be over when we crawl into bed at night, but for all who Believe, it’s jaw-dropping comforting to think that just when someone else’s day is beginning somewhere on the other side of the planet, God doesn’t just tuck us in for the night, forget us until morning, and go focus His attention on that one.

He can't. And He never will.

Even while we sleep, even in our dreams both cool and crazy, while our subconscious may be busy working through fears and desires and frustrations—and more importantly, even in our own bouts of insomnia, restlessness, excitement/anticipation, worry, weariness, or longing for a My Pillow—our God is always fully awake, always fully engaged:

“He holds you firmly in place; He will not let you fall. He who keeps you will never take His eyes off of you and never drift off to sleep. What a relief! The One who watches over Israel never leaves for rest or sleep.”  

—Psalm 121:3-4, Voice

[Updated from 2018]

A Sunrise Like None Other

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." —Romans 15:13, NIV

Not a breeze, not a bird’s early morning call, not a sound from creation

Only a holy hush greeted the rising of the sun this morning on this hilltop back road in my hometown

A praise of deafening silence

One filled with a symphony of unspeakable glory and seemingly every color on the Artist’s palette

As if all in heaven and on earth were breathless at the Promise,

Bowing at the wonder as perhaps never before

To celebrate more than just another new day, but:

“He is risen…just as He said.”

And as I join the silence, three more unspoken words stir assurance as never before:

Hope ... is ... alive! 

Three words which trigger memories of earlier words written, perhaps for such a morning in such a time as this…

A hope that is not wishful thinking but anchored in the only One with a perfect resume;

A hope that is not "out there somewhere” but that is as real and as close as your next breath.

The perfect theme song for this often-crazy-unpredictable Journey;

Especially right now.

The kind of tune that is good to have stuck in your head.

A hope that restores…joy unspeakable, but joy nonetheless

And peace.

And trust for putting one foot in front of the other.

Over and over again…

And so in the deafening silence, before a sunrise like none other, my heart this day joins all of creation:

“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You.”—Psalm 143:8

Lean on Me

Photo: Felix Mittermeier, pexels.com

“Your word is like a lamp for my feet

    and a light for my path— it shows how life should be lived.”—Psalm 119:112, Expanded Bible

Adapted from a journal entry written 10 days before the world went on lockdown. It's since proven to be an encouragement. With God, there are no coincidences…

I have taken this verse as my theme verse for the year. Even today, it is interesting to “see” with this Lamp (which is more than words of counsel but a Person) that the context is not blue skies by day and bright moonlight by night. It is a vow said in a time of darkness, and fear, and uncertainty. Favorite verse? Really, is that your vow in such a time? Where do you really go first, honestly? What do you really rely on in such times? How often during trial or stress do you spend more time processing circumstances around and around in your own brain rather than resting in the guidance of the Lamp? A kindred verse comes to mind…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. Agree with Him in all your ways,

and He will make your paths straight.”

—Proverbs 3:5-6, NLV

...So really, your theme verse of the year is not so much about direction as it is a call to be steadfast in every season—when you can see clearly and especially when you cannot. When your natural tendency is to lean toward “I can figure this thing out on my own,” the call to let the Lamp guide is definitely a personal challenge. But if it couldn’t be done, God would not have said so.

So keep your favorite verse, but be alert, be wise, and lean on the Lamp to help you navigate the realities of this life:

"Cast the whole of your care—all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all—on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Be well balanced—temperate, sober of mind—be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring in fierce hunger, seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

Withstand him; be firm in faith against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined...

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, Who imparts all blessing and favor, Who has called you to His own eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you."—1 Peter 5:7-10, Amplified Classic

“Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. Faith is absolute trust in God—trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us.”

—Oswald Chambers

Selah...