Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

It seems like each Winter Anna Ruth and I take over the dining table and put together a jig-saw puzzle.  Yesterday, as I was putting some pieces together I was reminded of life itself.  We somehow know that there is a picture there, but it us up to us to build it.

It reminds me of faith, believing that the pieces are here to form a fine picture. The puzzle becomes a whole.  Eventually.  Even now, in my spirit, I know that the full picture will emerge, but for now – piece by piece!  Think about that with me!

Ouch!  I love to get good news!  I dread the bad.  Day before yesterday, I got some disturbing, shall I say, bad news?  Someone close to me had a setback and that really did take me down.  It is an emotional thing.

Never for a moment do I doubt God’s goodness, at least that is where I stand.  But even now, almost 90 years old, I am still shaken by what I think is bad news.  I buck myself up and ask, “Why do you doubt?”   Then God speaks lovingly to me, again.

I have no answer except to say that the bad news hurts, disturbs me, wounds me, so to speak.  I dread bad news!

If I can see a way through, my heart is at rest.  If I see only trouble and disappointment ahead I do not lose faith, at least I hope not, but just quake!  Will I never just treat every circumstance as a gift from God, whether I see it as good or bad?

I find consolation in knowing that Paul the Apostle had such feelings.  His feelings were often in turmoil.  Bless him, he was willing to share those struggles.  It is not a matter of unbelief, he and I still believe in the goodness of God and the companionship of Jesus, but it is a matter of confusion or getting disturbed.

Oh, Lord, shorten the hours of unease of soul.  Use bad news to highlight the good.  My faith is strong, my ability to apply it always is my challenge!

The good news that never changes for a moment is that God loves me!  He never leaves nor forsakes me. He promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5). Never.  Amen.

Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Ephesians 6:17 – 18

I am reminded this morning of the vital importance of praying for others, especially those in our family and our close friends.  A person very dear to Anna Ruth and me is going through heavy challenges just now. I feel so helpless.

So what shall I do?  Come to think of it, what have I always done?  Run to the Lord of mercy in prayer, that is the way!  When I can do something, I feel the Lord wants me to get involved.  When I can do nothing, I am driven to prayer.

So, it is this morning. Lord, you long to hear my prayer, helpless as I am.  Therefore, I pour out my heart to you, my Life and my Hope.  I am in your closet of prayer, alone with you.

We seldom see blue birds during the Summer but they do like to take a drink of warm water in the Winter.  Here is a dear one with a female gold finch in the background.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Isaiah 43:1 – 3

I have redeemed you (bought you with my love), I have called you by name, your particular name, to come to me because you are mine.

When (not “if”) you pass through waters, I will be with you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. 

How can God promise all this?  He tells us openly, For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

So, my soul, you have heard the word of God.  Rest on that for it is the voice of your Savior.

Welcome to 2018.

We were truly blessed as we watched Zel and Dani loving little Finn, now about 8 months old.  This month has been great, as Finn tries his best to take his first steps alone.  He is a dear little fellow.  Sorry to see them head off for home in Adelaide, Australia, but they are here in our hearts, that is for sure.  Zel will return to his teaching position and Dani to her research into light and its various properties.

Love you dear ones!  Fly well.

God is speaking words of life and wisdom to Israel through the writings of Isaiah.

“Listen to me…you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:3, 4

I grabbed this promise with both hands and single heart this morning as I walk into a new year, 2018.  This fits me completely except for that neat little phrase, Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he.  Grey hairs?  Yes, that is me, though my pate is bald.

Seriously, I love the way the Lord looks after our every need.  He carried us since were born, yes, carried.  I am not sure I like to be carried, I am independent and self-sufficient.  I see myself as carrying others.  Then I hear the Lord’s voice, “Son, I carried you since you were born.”  And he carries me still if I allow him to do so.

I think I would rather carry than be carried!   That pushes God right out of the picture.  God carries me, not me him. I instinctively want to carry!

Now, as I approach my 90^th birthday I hear the Lord speaking!  “Allow me to carry you!”  I humbly agree and delight in the privilege.

I had the joy of copying this bird drawn so beautifully by Zel while here on annual break.  Zel astounds me with the vitality of his work.  This bird comes to life right here before your eyes!  I think it is a magpie, of Australia.

 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

Great advice for 90-year-olds!  “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.”  Really?  I learn a lot about God’s faithfulness and love as I look back over those many years of walking with Him.   I do not think the Lord wants us to discount the many blessings he blessed us with in the past but to learn from them, give thanks to God for them as we push on into the future.

We learn from the past and rejoice in God’s goodness, but we live now and we walk into the future.  Behold, the landscape ahead is not bare and uninviting, but it is a grand vista that spreads out before us where dry land becomes a virtual garden with a clear, flowing life-giving stream running on and on through it, giving life to all it touches.  It is a thrilling sight, indeed!  The best is yet to come!  That is what my mother used to say and she was right.

“Can’t you see it?”  I see it, Lord, and move into the future with my hand in yours!