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But now we see not yet all things put under him.

Hebrews 2:8b

Just like everybody I’ve been watching and listening carefully to the steady march of events in 2020. There have been some incredibly memes. It’s all too large to fully comprehend and place into neat and tidy compartments. The cacophony of noise and wind and waves can be disorienting to our hearts. The disciples witnessed firsthand in Mark 4 what it was like when the winds were too strong for them to overcome. They cried out to Jesus for help when the storm that had gathered felt like their very last. Jesus did two things in that event: he calmed their fears and strengthened their faith.

Hebrews is all about Jesus. I’ve needed to read about him, think on him, pray to him, and just hang on to him to avoid being driven about by the winds of change. Truthfully, I think about all of the unknowns and possible futures way too much. This morning I just needed to be reminded that there will come a time when all things will be placed “under him.” Right now he sits to the right of the Father, waiting. He’s not disoriented or discouraged, but as we learn further on in Hebrews he is actively working on our behalf to make us like him and bring us to him.

If they that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, we can do no better than wait and trust him, knowing that all of the calamity will cease when he rules all.

-C.R.

The poor useth intreaties;
but the rich answereth roughly.

Proverbs 18:23

This proverb is about the position from which somebody operates in any given situation. Money talks, and in our world to be rich is to operate from a position of strength. To be poor means to operate from a position of weakness.

Christ-followers are not concerned about positioning themselves according to these kinds of values. Wealth does not last and neither does poverty when we think of things eternally. What does last is what is done for love of God and others. This most often requires us to act in humility and meekness, qualities in our world often believed to be weak.

God has promised to exalt the humble. Where being “king of the mountain” and “talking big” are signs of strength, speak gently. Humility is the strength God honors.

-C.R.

The preparations of the heart in man,
and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:1

Yesterday I met a black man named Eric. He was pulled over on the side of the road with his hood up and clearly having vehicle difficulties. I’m not a mechanic but I can stand over and engine and look it at with the best of them. I didn’t stop with high hopes of fixing his car, nor did I did I stop to apologize for anything. I just stopped to see if he needed anything, gave him a gospel tract and invited him to church. Meanwhile down the road there were about 50 people holding Black Lives Matter signs and protesting things I’ve never heard of being a real problem in Maine. I digress.

I stopped to meet Eric because the Lord directed me to. I knew if I didn’t, it would be a mistake. I didn’t have a great plan or speech. I was just wanting to be obedient to the Lord, taking the next step he had for me in the moment. The Lord gave me the words to say so that when I left Eric I had not fixed his vehicle problems, but he had received some light. I’m going to pray for Eric in the days ahead.

I think we could cross reference this verse with Mark 13:11: “…take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.”

There is great encouragement in this truth. We see that if we faithfully do our small part of preparation and obedience, God will do the large part of helping us speak. Plan to obey and the Lord will help you answer.

-C.R.