Behold and Be Bold

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].  Hebrews 4:16 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

What an on-time God we serve! It’s no small thing to think of how He meets needs with a word from Scripture. Just when anxiety creeps in and diminishes your confidence, if you are engaging in His Word, He answers with His perfect message. He sees you! He hears you! He cares for you! He is so good. He is so faithful.

I’ve a restorative story to tell those who need encouragement. It’s a story of God’s redeeming love. Though trials beset my life with a prodigal daughter, she came to her senses and “returned home” to the God that loves her so. While I waited for her return, God taught me about His character, replete with His promises from Scripture. He supplied me with strength and comfort for which I am eternally grateful. 

But I had allowed time to fade some of my memories until I was asked to give my testimony live on a local television station. Then doubts filled my mind. “I’m not capable,” I said to God. 

And I heard God say to Moses from the fourth chapter of Exodus, “Who has made man’s mouth? Is it not I, the Lord?”

Humbled but with boldness, I told the Lord of my fear, and He answered with His Word from John 14:26. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Memories flooded my mind and I echoed what He had taught me. I remembered what He had done for me and my daughter. Boldly I proclaimed His power to all those who would listen. All glory to God through Jesus Christ who brought both my daughter and me out of darkness into His glorious light. From bringing home captives in Isaiah 43:5-7 to praying persistently in Luke 18:1, God caused me to remember His goodness. He is so faithful. 

What’s your story? How has God made Himself known to you? Which of His characteristics most resonate with you? If He is a new acquaintance to you, allow Him to help write your story. If you have walked with Him and continue to walk with Him, tell your story. There are many ears that need to hear of the goodness of our loving God. 

Maybe the lyrics of H. Ernest Nichol (1896) will inspire you to boldly go before God’s throne of grace and find the help you need to share the good news of Christ Jesus, the Savior of the world with family, friends, and even strangers.

We've a story to tell to the nations,

that shall turn their hearts to the right,

a story of truth and mercy,

a story of peace and light,

a story of peace and light.

Refrain:

For the darkness shall turn to dawning,

and the dawning to noonday bright,

and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,

the kingdom of love and light.

We've a song to be sung to the nations,

that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,

a song that shall conquer evil,

and shatter the spear and sword,

and shatter the spear and sword. [Refrain]

We've a message to give to the nations,

that the Lord who reighth above

has sent us His Son to save us,

and show us that God is love,

and show us that God is love. [Refrain]

We've a Savior to show to the nations,

who the path of sorrow has trod,

that all of the world's great peoples

may come to the truth of God,

may come to the truth of God! [Refrain]

Wait on the Lord

So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  Luke 15:20 (NIV)

The Israelite watchmen of old stood in towers or upon city walls, peering out across the land while protecting Jerusalem. These Hebrew guards kept watch and waited out their allotted time on the wall, observing everything and everyone around them. Watchmen on the walls first detected any approaching enemy or advancing army outside their borders, and then warned the people inside the city.

Several years ago, I stood on my imaginary wall, watching and waiting for the return of my daughter to her senses. Her poor life choices had affected our family. She had broken my heart and filled me with anguish. But I prayed. 

Each day I struggled and prayed. Eventually God answered me with a mission. He prompted me to notice mothers living with the same pain. He inspired a vision of military policemen standing guard, wearing armbands with the letters MP on it. Military police protect the lives and property of those in service to one’s country. For me that image symbolized mothers praying for their prodigals. Praying while waiting for God’s work to be accepted into the lives of their children and watching for their return to God and family. Mothers for prodigals was born. 

This labor of love—this watching with purpose based on the promises of God—requires faith and trust in the God who loves us! It demands constant vigilance (with wailing, if necessary) in humble prayer, giving up any personal dictates and whims while placing our children in the very capable hands of God. This hopeful waiting requires us to daily give our doubts to God and peacefully watch what He is doing, even if it looks messy!

Squandered his wealth in wild living describes the actions of the prodigal son in the book of Luke as told by Jesus. The son chose to ask his father for his inheritance. Can you imagine how the father must have felt? It’s almost as if the son wished him dead. What a crushing blow, but the father conceded. The son then left to pursue his selfish dreams. He made a choice as so many prodigals do, choosing from selfish gain and breaking his parents’ hearts. 

When he lost everything and came to the end of himself, he turned back and headed home. He knew he had sinned against his father. He desired forgiveness. While he was a long way off, his father saw him and ran to him, heaping hugs and kisses on him. The father had been watching and waiting, and I dare say praying for the return of his son. 

What joy for this watchman, this father who daily had waited patiently at his border for any sign of an answer to his many prayers. After experiencing a tremendous heart ache, can you imagine the joyful healing from a reunion with the very one who had caused anguish? 

You may be in a situation right now that feels nothing like triumph. Misery surrounds you as you wait and watch. I understand such feelings and so does God. He sees your hurting heart. He hears your agonizing cries. Don’t give up your position! Stand firm on His promises and trust in His perfect timing for your loved ones. Rely on His Word to strengthen and preserve you in peace. He is a faithful God! Keep watch with Him and wait.                                              

If your circumstances have turned around like the one in the story of the prodigal son, give God the glory but don’t stop praying. There are many prodigals and families who need prayers of intercession for protection and peace while God works within their lives. Continue the labor of watching for the return of God’s children to His loving truth. And praise Him while waiting!

Let’s lift up Scriptural battle cries to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we watch and wait for His fulfilled promises.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.  Micah 7:7 (NIV)

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins.  Psalm 130 (NIV)

I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest......  Isaiah 62:6 (NIV)

“Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. 
Romans 12:12 (CEB)”

Good News of Great Joy

She distributed to each one of us an 8 by 10 head shot and said, “Now turn them over.” My husband, my son, my daughter-in-law, and I began reading personalized handwritten notes. Silence filled the room while tears filled our eyes. As we passed around a kleenex box, we each were awestruck by the same realization—our daughter, sister, sister-in-law had figuratively “come home.” 

For four seemingly endless years, our family experienced tensions, arguments, and misery because of our daughter’s choices. Whether together or miles apart, the circumstances appeared hopeless. Daily Father God heard my prayers. Daily He comforted me. Yet without fail each holiday season brought dread instead of joy until Christmas 2008. No one could have imagined the wondrous offerings of apology. What a blessing to experience restoration. 

As tears subsided over the gift of our daughter’s return, our son and daughter-in-law handed my husband and me another gift. As we opened the present and pulled away the tissue paper, we caught sight of a first response pregnancy test, proclaiming positive results. Oh my—a grandchild! With overflowing tear ducts and wet cheeks, we passed the kleenex box around again and praised God for new life.

The good news overwhelmed me. My years of mourning exchanged for celebration. A restored relationship with my daughter—thank you God. The birth of a grandchild—doubly blessed!

Oh to experience new life. Over two thousand years ago, a new life was celebrated by Mary and Joseph, the angels, shepherds, and wise men. Jesus was born and the good news spread. I’m confident that happy tears flowed. Those who knew the word of God realized the long-awaited Messiah had come. God had faithfully kept His promise in His perfect timing. 

New life arrived from heaven to earth to fulfill God’s Word. New life arrived from heaven to earth to live with humanity. New life arrived from heaven to earth to ransom captives. New life arrived from heaven to earth to restore relationships. Praise God. Praise God for Jesus!

Receive the good news of Jesus the Messiah and celebrate life this Christmas. No matter if your situations are filled with dread or full of joy, celebrate! God is faithful to His promises.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for new life through Jesus Christ. As my family and I celebrate your birth this Christmas, we will also give you thanks for restoration with exceeding blessings. Thank you that my daughter and her husband will celebrate new life through the birth of their first child in April 2020. We offer our gratitude with songs of joy.

This Christmas may people all over the world hear with receptive hearts the good news of great joy. No matter their situations, may they find comfort in knowing the depth of your love—a love so full of sacrifice that they can be saved from their sins in order to live abundantly on earth and eternally in heaven. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16”