Dear KMAG: 20200607 Open Topic

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

This Superlative Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.

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The Storm is upon us.
Please remember to Pray for our President.

Our movement is about
replacing a failed and CORRUPT political establishment
with a new government
controlled by you, the American People.

~ Candidate Donald J. Trump

Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:

1. No food fights.
2. No running with scissors.
3. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.

And,

On this day and every day –

God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up

Hopefully, every Sunday, you can find something here that will build you up a little . . . give you a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.

“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Resting in the Lord

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

The latest lunacy from the left is mind-boggling: COVID-19 is such a threat to the existence of society that we must live our lives in lockdown, not even being permitted to attend church services or walk with your dog on a deserted strip of beach,

BUT . . .

It’s perfectly OK, even psychologically healthy, for crowds to gather by the thousands, assaulting citizens, and looting and burning businesses all with the pretext of honoring the life of a drug abusing, porn acting, counterfeit money passing individual considered the victim of excessive police force.  And, likewise, it’s OK to encourage a million man mob to form in Wash., D.C. to possibly spread disease and mayhem on an enormous scale.

This latest bit of insanity got me thinking of how my involvement with these events are actually effecting my life in these times.  Here.  Now.

What am I missing? I’m missing the whole concept of “Resting in the Lord”. That concept is fairly well fractured on a daily basis these days and that’s what I’d like to explore a bit this Sunday.

For years, I’ve had in my mind’s eye what, for me, would be an idyllic, restful setting:

I’m sitting in an old, rather worn recliner (that fits me like a glove) on the covered back porch of a small log cabin buried deep in a pine forest.  The heady scent of the pine pitch is strong in the air and the sights and sounds from the woodland creatures, and those from the lake just a few yards away, lend a fairy-tale aspect to the sight of the red rising sun, just appearing through the trees on the ridge nearby.  The sun draws a red path through the lake, across small ripples from the gentle morning breeze.

At this cabin, I have all I need.  My health is good, my retirement income is ample, and I own the cabin outright.  My larder is well-stocked, I’ve plenty of practical clothing for all four seasons and a big woodpile, and nothing, nothing impacts my life that would cause anger or even concern.  I’ve got goodwill in my heart for all, man or beast, and a pleasant feeling of contentment, not involving any of my own accomplishments, but from being in this restful place with a feeling of gratitude for the same.

Now this tale, with a few adjustments, embodies my general feelings of resting in the Lord.

We are where we are in this country, and we have all that we have courtesy of a generous Provider Who is our Creator.  He owns the cabin, the pines and the lake and graciously allows me to stay there, without charge, if only I acknowledge Him as my Provider and trust in His Son as my Savior, which I am pleased to do.  (Jehovah-Jireh: The LORD Will Provide)

He has given me my health, and provided my larder, clothing and woodpile.  Because of my trust in Him, I will not let myself be overly concerned by the machinations of the world outside of the forest.

My Provider has written some principles that He has advised me that I should develop in my life, but He wants me to accept these principles, not as imposed and enforced rules, but as a way of life that I realize is best for me and also for those around me.

The two major principles are general: to esteem and honor my Provider and to seek the higher good for others.  A few of the personal characteristics my Provider specifically mentions are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  He has more principles such as justice, mercy, forgiveness and humility that He wants me to follow and examples for me that He has written in a Book that he left for me.

My Provider also wants me to know that He is controlling the events of this world according to His perfect plan in which all will work out to my benefit.  He does ask that I be still, quiet and rest easily in the confidence that He is in control of everything.

I also read in the Book that my Provider has some great plans for me in the future.  He is preparing a place full of joy and peace, and so wonderful and delightful that it is beyond my imagination, a place in which I will be able to stay for a very, very long time.

When the Big Crazy starts closing in on me, I find that I can escape it with a quick trip to the cabin in the pines, never losing sight of the fact that it is my Provider that has made it all possible, in spite of my unworthiness of the privilege, and giving Him the thanks, the praise and all the glory.

When peace, like a river, flows swiftly away,
And troubles like sea billows roll;
In You I’m steadfast, from Your arms I’ll not stray,
For it’s well, yes, it’s well with my soul.

  ~ apologies to Horatio G. Spafford

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

FYI – Some of the other names for God in the Bible
(There are many more)

EL, ELOAH: God mighty, strong, prominent
ELOHIM: God Creator, Mighty and Strong
EL SHADDAI: God Almighty
ADONAI: Lord
YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH: LORD
YAHWEH-RAPHA: The Lord Who Heals
AHWEH-M’KADDESH: The Lord Who Sanctifies, Makes Holy
YAHWEH-SHALOM: The Lord Our Peace
YAHWEH-ELOHIM: LORD God
YAHWEH-TSIDKENU: The Lord Our Righteousness
YAHWEH-ROHI: The Lord Our Shepherd
YAHWEH-SABAOTH: The Lord of Hosts
EL ELYON: Most High
EL-OLAM: Everlasting God