From Everlasting to Everlasting

Boulder on Hecla by Richard Webb is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

During the pandemic, when we finally began to attend church again, Pastor James preached on Psalm 90. In that sermon, he said, “In an ocean of confusion, there is a fixed rock.”

Verse 2 of Psalm 90 captures that perfectly. “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” He is always there, never changing.

There is something precious about God’s promised forever presence, especially during hard times like COVID. I caught the virus, and my husband had to stay clear to keep from catching it. Resting and sleeping were how I spent those days and nights.

God is a fixed refuge in a world full of change and trouble. We aren’t fixed.  We die. Life is transient because of sin and the Fall, see Genesis 3.

If we’re God’s children through faith in Jesus, what should we do with the relatively short life we are given? Let’s use our time rightly and well, Psalm 90:12. When we are struggling, seek God’s mercy and grace, verse 13. Ask God to satisfy you every day with his unfailing love, verse 14. Do God’s work–time is short, verse 16-17.

This week let’s remind ourselves to keep focused on the work God has for us, asking Him to show us what He wants us to do in this short time we have. He will establish the work of our hands, verse 17.

Decisions, Decisions

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

Life threw me a curve, and I faced a momentous decision. Our marriage was strained, and my husband’s relationship with the kids was getting worse. Should I stay or should I go?

We had lived in Colorado for nearly four years, my husband’s job bringing us there from Arizona. Those weren’t the happiest of years, but I saw the Lord meet our needs in many powerful ways. The kids and I were part of a solid, Bible-teaching church, and I had a few close friends there.

For whatever reason, I chose to go it alone on this one, a pattern I had developed and couldn’t or wouldn’t change. I set aside one day a week to fast and pray, taking walks at mealtimes and praying. I wanted to be sure of the Lord’s will. Leaving my husband was a last resort, one I didn’t take lightly after 18 years. I could have met with our pastor and his wife. They were loving, trustworthy people. I should have asked every close friend I had to pray for God’s direction for me. I didn’t do any of that. What held me back? Pride? Fear? An independent spirit?

The Bible says in several places that there is wisdom in seeking advice. Proverbs 15:22 in the New Living Translation says, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice. . .” I don’t think my decision was necessarily a poor choice. As it turned out, it became my only choice when the relationship between the kids and their dad became unbearable.

My children and I ended up back in our home state of Illinois, living in my dad’s house. Sadly, he had died a few months before, and my siblings kindly put aside their inheritance awhile, so we would have a good place to stay. Things worked out okay, but having people praying would have given me a sense of encouragement that the family of God is meant to give.

Recently, Pastor James said in a sermon, “Humility, honesty, and transparency lead to community. The word fellowship in the New Testament means sharing of my true self.” Hindsight has revealed how badly I needed to humbly share my troubles and gain the support I desperately needed.

Since then, I’ve matured in this area, asking for prayer as I’ve met challenges. A biblical counselor helped me work through issues after our move to Illinois. Today have a mentor I reach out to from time to time. The Bible says, “Make plans by seeking advice;” (Prov. 20:18). Decisions aren’t meant to be made all by ourselves.

A Praying Life

“Jesus teaching how to pray” by Library of Congress/ CC0 1.0

Most mornings after I read my Bible and record in my thank-You log, I pray following my scribbles on 3 x 5 cards. I’ve used them for ten years, since reading the excellent book, A Praying Life by Paul Miller. One chapter describes how he organizes his prayer life. The cards have helped me stay focused while I pray.  I have a card for my husband, for each of our daughters and their families, and for our son. There’s a card that includes friends from church, another with friends from our small group, neighbors in a Bible study, cards for missionaries, and a card for me. It’s a fine way of tracking prayer requests. I use pencil so I can erase as God answers a request or things change and there is no longer that need. At the top of each card is a Bible verse to guide my prayers.

One index card is for my prayer partner, Diana. She and I promised to pray for each other daily after I moved so far away we couldn’t meet in person. Once a week we email each other, sending our prayers for our families, one another, and ourselves. I look forward to Wednesdays to read and join her prayers in my inbox. It’s a joy to hear of answers and progress in struggles as well as learning new burdens to cast on our caring heavenly Father in Jesus’ name (1 Peter 5:7).

I’ve moved closer now, and a few weeks ago, Diana and I met in person at a restaurant halfway between our homes. After a meal and conversation, we prayed together in the front seat of her car. There was something exceptional about praying in person, hearing her voice with spontaneous intercessions and praises joined with mine.

Please reply and let me know how I may pray for you.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:1, 4, 5