Desert, 4.

Lent begins tomorrow.

This year I will be continuing to grapple with the deepest death I've yet to die.  Valleys so sunless and deserts so dry I've needed deliverance, not just help, where God proved that his gift was not less than salvation.  I'll be reading and praying through the book of Jeremiah, to see how God rescues his servant from difficult situations, and redeemed them, for His own glory.

even in the wilderness

—especially in the wilderness—

you shall love Him.

// frederick buechner

Run with the Horses

The terrible threat is that we might die earlier than we really do die . . . The real horror lies in just such a premature death, a death after which we go on living for many years.
There is a memorable passage concerning Jeremiah’s life when, worn down by the opposition and absorbed in self-pity, he was about to capitulate to just such a premature death. He was ready to abandon his unique calling in God and settle for being a Jerusalem statistic. At that critical moment he heard the reprimand: “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5) 

. . .
What is it you really want, Jeremiah? Do you want to shuffle along with the crowd, or run with the horses? 

. . .
It is easier to define oneself minimally (“a featherless biped”) and live securely within that definition than to be defined maximally (“a little less than God”) and live adventurously in that reality. 

It is unlikely, I think, that Jeremiah was spontaneous or quick in his reply to God’s question. The ecstatic ideals for a new life had been splattered with the world’s cynicism. The euphoric impetus of youthful enthusiasm no longer carried him.

He weighed the options.
He counted the cost.
He tossed and turned in hesitation. 

The response when it came was not verbal but biographical. 

His life became his answer. 

“I’ll run with the horses.” 

// Eugene Peterson

The Call of Frodo

i am not made for perilous quests! cried Frodo.

i wish i had never seen the ring! 

why did it  come to me?

why was i chosen?

such questions cannot be answered, said Gandalf.

you may be sure that it was not for any merit that others do not possess;

nor for power or wisdom, at any rate.

but you have been chosen and you must

therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have.

The Call of Jeremiah

when the people of jerusalem went into exile

now the word of the LORD came to me saying

before i formed you in the womb
i knew you and before you were born
i consecrated you i appointed you

ah sovereign LORD!

alas i do not know how to speak

i am only a youth

do not say 'i am only a youth'

for to all to whom i send you you shall go

and whatever i command you you shall speak

do not be afraid of them

for i am with you

I can put my sword down, because God has picked his up.

The temptation for Christian victims of the most horrible crimes is that their suffering seems to excuse them from repenting, and excuse them from forgiving. After all, it’s cruel and wrong to say their suffering was their fault, and how could anyone ask them to overlook what was done?

But make no mistake, these are precisely the two things that they must never stop doing, if they are ever to be free.

// Miroslav Volf  i love him

Amen.

Foundations, 5 -- The Builder.

unless the LORD builds the house

those who build it, those who build it

labor in vain

unless the LORD guards the gate

those who guard it, those who guard it

stay awake in vain 

// ps 127 // is 42

who is near you? the Lord is near you
the Lord of pity, the trampled beauty
he will not leave you, will not forsake you
he brings forth justice
hes not discouraged

i rise up early and lay my head late

he gives rest

he gives rest

i eat the bread of my toil’s anxiousness

he gives sleep

he gives sleep

ive greatly labored but have not achieved

he is your reward

he is your reward

i chose a path but my feet were misled
i host the banquet but i am not filled
i have twice given but have not once received

he will repay you

he will repay you

ive greatly suffered and seen no relief
ive seen a mother abandon her baby
ive seen a lover betrayed and i am she

he groans out for you

he groans out for you

Ive called you righteous
I will take your hand
this I promise
my own covenant
you will see, o blind men
release the captives
come out of the dungeon
those who sit in darkness
I will march out
I will cry out
I will lead you
these things I will do

Foundations, 4.

"How Firm a Foundation" has been one of my favorite hymns since the it was taught to me at children's BSF, where my mom would drag my easily bored second grade self.  This and "To God Be the Glory" are the only two things that I remember from BSF.  Out of all that they tried to teach me anyway--I also remember an old lady songteacher with a peppery frizz head of hair who smelled like cats and butter, my boredom and refusal to go on Tuesday weeknights, and my brother's variations on the themes, the only other fruits of BSF for my unregenerate child self.

But over the years, its verses have stayed with me.  This too, is grace.  The true words are trusty to fill me with confidence in desert seasons such as this past week since finding out on Wednesday, such as Lent around the corner, and such as... oh just... all of life, you know, no big deal.

For one, we sing, but the bulk of it is from the perspective of God speaking to us, singing over us.  Not of any worthy words we can offer to Him.  My faithfulness, He says, not your faith, will be your sustenance.

He commands His own to buck up, fear not.  Because His sustaining self is there with us, here by us,  Emmanuel, to uphold and strengthen and purify--to prove Himself.  The desert is His task and He is the one who will find our way home.

He is trustworthy, the desert rocks cry.

How Firm a Foundation from The Line via Michael

I haven't come across a fair cover on the interwebs until this one. Give it a spin and send other good renditions my way!