June Caedmon's Blog, page 3

It Is Well

His name is Mohammed.

He, along with his wife and six children live in a tent in a refugee camp.

They were forced to leave their home in Mosul, Iraq when the enemy invaded in June of 2014.

Mohammed is a Christian. In 2005, Jesus appeared to him in a dream and he believed. His wife did not, until three months later when she had the exact same dream. She saw Jesus and believed.

Their picture tells a story. All, except the wife, are clothed in western garb. The name of a popular running shoe peeks out from below Mohammed’s jacket, and cartoon characters from the last decade adorn the kid’s shirts and hats. These western idols appear in stark contrast to the sandy ground and makeshift tents in the background.

Mohammed’s wife cradles one of the children. The toddler’s leg is bandaged from thigh to toes and Mohammed holds a bottle of fluid that is attached to the child. The rest of the children are smiling, save one, and the youngest holds up a small wooden cross.

You can see peace on the face of Mohammed and his wife. If you look closer, you can see lines around Mohammed’s eyes, crow’s feet we call them. Despite his circumstances, this man has known JOY.

Now, in the refugee camp, Mohammed leads worship services for local Christians and Muslims who are interested in learning about God. He and his family experience continual persecution from their Muslim neighbors. He knows that he could be a target of extremists at any time. He chooses to serve, knowing that His life is in God’s hands.

When I look at this picture of Mohammed and his family I see none of what we in this country would call a blessing. Even the children, six mouths to feed, must surely be a burden in this situation.

A Song of Ascents. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!  

Psalm 128:1-6

As I meditated on Psalm 128 this week the picture of Mohammed and his family kept returning to my mind. Their lives are far from ideal, even by their eastern standard of living. They are worlds apart from what we expect {and demand} in our western culture.

Yet, God is showing me that they are a beautiful example of the truths of Psalm 128. 
“Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.”

I can’t know for sure, of course, but if I had to guess, I would say that Mohammed would tell you, “It is well with my soul.”

Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. 

Psalm 127:1-5

I’ve been meditating on this psalm all week. I’ll be honest with you, I wanted to skip this one. I mean, who am I, a mother-of-none, to expound on a psalm that is more than half about children?

But God wouldn’t let it go. In fact, He reminded me of a few things. And so, here I am, fumbling around for the right words. Perhaps in my weakness, you’ll find that a few of the words will bless and inspire you. That’s always my prayer.

You see, as God often reminds me, His ways are not our ways. He doesn’t always see things the way we do. Our view, especially our cultural view, is often at odds with God’s purpose and plan.

And that’s really what Psalm 127 is all about. It’s a warning about putting your confidence in worldly cares, rather than depending upon God. 

The house you build, whether it’s your family, your business, your relationships, none will prosper without the Lord.  Oh, they may appear to prosper, but without the Lord, all these things are just white-washed tombs. Pretty on the outside, but dead inside.

This world is becoming an increasingly scary place. It’s natural to want to “set a watchman” to guard our borders, to guard our homes and families. But the truth is, without God’s protection, nothing we do will ultimately protect us.

The Lord is better than an army of sleepless guards.

However, it’s equally important to note that the Psalmist doesn’t tell the builder to stop building, or suggest that the watchman neglect his duty. God expects us to do all we can with what we have been given. The point here is not to trust in what we do, but rather to trust in the Lord.

Amen?

I really do love verses 3-5! The family unit, as God planned it, is a beautiful picture of His love and care for us and the church. Children should be viewed as a blessing, not a burden. The more children, the more trials? Perhaps. But when these are met with faith, JOY multiplies.

For what are you working or striving? if not for the future – the children. Who will help you in your later years? Your children will be there to protect and provide for you.

As with all good things the Lord has given us, the enemy has worked hard to pervert and destroy it. It was a common belief in biblical times, and some still believe today, that being barren is a curse or evidence of God’s displeasure. 

Let me stress, this is man’s view – not God’s. Examine the scriptures for yourself. You will see that the barren women in the bible were greatly loved, and greatly used by God.

The enemy has done a pretty good job of tearing apart families in this country. I don’t need to cite the statistics for you, the evidence is all around us. We have trusted in the things of this world, rather than God, and we are reaping the reward.

But we are never without hope. God is on our side, and the victory is already won. With Jesus, we have victory over fear, victory over broken relationships, and victory over sin!

Go forth in the strength of His mighty love and power today.

What’s Your Story?

What’s your story?

We all have one. What we share, and how we tell our stories is as unique as the stories themselves. All stories have a beginning and an end. But some have more than one beginning.

Although Jesus had me in mind from the beginning of time, for me, my story began the day I was born. Thus the story of my life began to unfold. Over time, I experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom 3:23) Then, one day, Jesus opened my eyes to His truth. I became aware of my sin, confessed it, turned away from it, and asked Him to forgive me. He did. He already had.

But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)

A new beginning.

Jesus created in me a new heart. He put His Spirit in me and made me, is making me, the person I am today.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new had come. (2 Cor 5:17) Still flawed, yet new, being transformed, bit-by-bit, into His likeness.

And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Php 1:6)

Maybe this is true of you, too. If so, you can relate to the JOY of Psalm 126.

A Song of Ascents. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psa 126:1-6)

The psalmist sings Israel’s story. But it is a story we, as believers, can share.

Don’t let the term “turn{ed} again” confuse you. It’s the Hebrew word shûb, and it means to restore, to bring back home. Isn’t that a wonderful picture? The Israelis thought so. They had been long years in captivity. The very idea of being free was like a dream to them.

“Is this a dream? O, if it be a dream,
Let me sleep on, and do not wake me yet.” 

Henry wadsworth longfellow

Psalm 126 praises God for His deliverance from captivity. God’s people had been taken from their homes and held captive in a foreign land. Our captivity is not a physical, but a spiritual one. We were once held captive by sin.

We can’t defeat sin on our own. It took the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to conquer sin, once, for all.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Co 15:55-57)

We can all sing this song of mercy’s sweetness.

Have you tasted it?

Oh, how sweet it is to be freed from the bonds of sin! To be restored – – made new!

Rejoice!

Shall we not sing of the Lord’s deliverance? Shall we not praise Him for the great things He has done?

Three Promises

Are you noticing a theme, as we walk this path of ascent toward Jerusalem with our Lord? 

These psalms ascribe to Him the glory and praise He is most worthy of, but they also remind us of His intimate care and concern for us; His beloved children.

A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel! 

PsAlm 125:1-5

In this psalm we have three promises:

Those who trust in God, their hearts shall be firmly established by faith. Psalm 112:7Those who trust in God shall be safe, under His protection. v. 2 and Job 1:10 They shall be safe forevermore, for God’s covenant with His people cannot be broken. Isa 54:10God will not allow more than we can bear. Some debate this promise but consider this, the troubles we endure here in this world cannot reach our souls. I can only speak from personal experiences, but mine have led me to agree with Matthew Henry’s belief that, 

“God considers the frame of His people, and will proportion their trials to their strength by the care of His providence, as well as their strength to their trials by the power of His grace.”

As we move closer to Passion Week, let us consider the steps of our Lord as He made His way to Calvary. At Calvary, we see the full and final proof of God’s great love for us. Proof that He truly does not give us more than we can bear, for we could never bear our sin before a Holy and Righteous God.

And so, Christ bore our sin for us, freeing us to live with Him, surrounded by His love and protection, forevermore.

Let us lift our voices in prayer and praise to Him Who is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever hope or imagine.

Our True Champion

Who’s your champion?

That one person who always cheers you on, lifts you up, and puts the silver lining in your cloudy day.

Psalm 124 reminds us that our true champion is God. The psalmist, David, reminds us to give credit where credit is due.

 A Song of Ascents. Of David. If it had not been the LORD Who was on our side— let Israel now say—if it had not been the LORD Who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. (Psa 124:1-8)

If you know anything about David’s story, you know he had people come against him most of his life. Being God’s chosen one didn’t equal easy times for David. At times, he was his own worst enemy. But God redeemed him from his sin, and out of the hands of those who sought to hurt him. Even his own children.

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. (Psa 118:6-7)

We are God’s chosen people, His royal priesthood. We can claim the same promise of scripture: God is on our side!

Enemies come in all shapes and sizes. I don’t know what enemy you’re facing today. Maybe it’s the face in the mirror. Whoever, or whatever, it is, God can help. He can redeem you and your circumstances. We may yet lose our worldly possessions, but our soul, our courage, our hope, these are the things that God protects.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Heb 13:5-6)

Let us pause and give adoration and praise to the One Who has preserved our life. The One Who has taken us out of darkness, and put our feet upon the rock. Where would we be without our God? The very thought should swell our hearts with gratitude for all He has done.

Do you, like David, have a psalm of thanksgiving to bring before the Lord? Sing to Him today. Bring a witness before man of His wonderful deeds, and the redeeming power of His glorious Son!

The Master’s Hand

Some of you may be familiar with the song The Old Violin, sung by Johnny Paycheck. The original is a poem by Myra Brooks Welch, and it’s a favorite of mine.

It’s about an old violin, battered and scarred, that looks to be worth about a dollar or two to the eyes of the old auctioneer. Until a man comes forward, picks up the violin, and plays a song “as sweet as the angel sings.” Suddenly the violin is worth thousands, all because of the touch of the master’s hand.

The same is true for us. We’re battered and bruised, and often out of tune. But just a touch of God’s nail-scarred hand makes us worthy and changes us from the inside out.

In Psalm 123 our gaze is shifted from the city of peace, Jerusalem, to Peace Himself. Specifically, to the Master’s hand, from which we receive many things, most significantly, His mercy.

A Song of Ascents. To You I lift up my eyes, O You Who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till He has mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud. (Psa 123:1-4)

“…as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress,” I’ve always been drawn to this verse. There is a sense of devotion and trust in these words that comforts me. Don’t let the term servant cloud your understanding here. We all look to others for various things, at various times in our lives. Parents, older siblings, teachers, employers, spouses, etc. 

We look to God for mercy, we wait, until He provides by . . .

His directing hand – Lord, what do you have for me to do?  Eph_2:10,  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
His supplying hand – We look to God to supply our daily bread, to supply grace sufficient for the day. 2Cor 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
His assisting hand – We go about our work in the strength God provides. 1Peter 4:11, “as one who serves by the strength that God supplies”
His protecting hand – When we face opposition or persecution, as we most certainly will, we look to God to be our help. Psalm 9:9, “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
His correcting hand – We may not like this one much, but if you’re a parent yourself, you know how necessary, and how loving, a correcting hand truly is. Heb 12:6, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves and chastises every son whom He receives.” 
His rewarding hand – We all desire to hear Him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.’’ Matt 25:23

The psalmist cries out for mercy, and so do we. 

Do you want to know what the hand of God looks like? Look around, look at your life. Where is He directing you? Supplying a need? Giving you strength for the moment? Protecting you? Correcting you? 

Those who are humble receive His mercy in abundance. And will ultimately receive the greatest reward of all – eternity with Him.

Lift up your eyes – and praise Him!

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

Standing Within Her Gates

A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. (Psa 122:1-9)

This psalm stirs in me a longing to assemble with the saints in God’s house. For a variety of reasons, some of us may still attend church remotely. And while there are many good online ministries out there and many churches live streaming their morning services, it’s just not the same.

God means for us to be in fellowship together, for our mutual edification and encouragement.

 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. “ Heb 10:24-25

Although I’ve recently returned to an “in-person” church service, my heart was no less glad when I was worshiping God from home. There was an eagerness to tune into the next message. My spirit soared with David’s as I read the words, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Would that my spirit always longs for the things of God.

“Jerusalem – built as a city that is bound firmly together.” There is a beautiful picture here of what the church, the people of the church, are to look like. Jerusalem itself is a beautiful city. Built uniformly with the houses strengthening and supporting one another. Just as we, Believers, are meant to do.

When I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, I think of not only the physical city and the nation of Israel, but of God’s church, His people, all over the world. 

There is much that comes against us. Against Israel. Against us personally, and against the church. But evil cannot stand against the prayers of the saints. (Matt 16:18)

“There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.” Here we are reminded that Jerusalem was, and will again be, a royal city. 

As such, Jerusalem reminds us that God looks after our civil interests as well as our spiritual ones. We can trust that justice will be administered.  And when justice is not administered as it ought to be in this world, may we be reminded that we are a royal priesthood. We take comfort in the fact that in the end, God’s justice will be, and has been served.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1Pe_2:9 

We’ll be there one day, standing within her gates on streets of gold. But you know, it’s not the streets of gold or pearly gates that stir my soul. It’s the thought of standing in His presence, with eyes that finally see, and a heart that will finally grasp how deep and how high is the love of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Maker of Heaven and Earth

Growing up in Vermont, I was well acquainted with hills and mountains. From our front porch, we could clearly see Mt. Washington, the most prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River.

The hills brought beauty to our lives and a sense of protection. Nestled in their bosom, I grew and thrived.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I took a trip to Colorado. The Rocky Mountains took my breath and my heart. Unlike the gentle protectors of my youth, these mountains stand as fierce sentinels, even when adorned in their soft golden blankets of autumn.

A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psa 121:1-8)

It’s easy to look toward a mountain, or fortress, or even to men for our protection. But Psalm 121 reminds us we must look beyond these earthly things. Our help comes from our Creator, not the creation.

Here is a blessed reminder to rely on, and trust in, the promises of God. The help we receive is bound up in His power and goodness, His providence and grace. As children of God, we should lift our eyes to Him, expecting to receive as He has promised.

It is the Lord Himself, who is our keeper and our protector. He shades us from every foe, whether sun or moon. For sometimes the things we think are good for us, He knows are not. So under His shadow, we may sit with delight and assurance, because we trust in Him.

Just as God went before Israel in the wilderness, a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, the Lord will preserve our going out and our coming in. 

The promise here is not that we will never need help, but that these things which cause us to need that help will never separate us from the God Who is our help, or from His purposes for us.

When we look to Him as Lord and Savior, 

He will indeed preserve our souls 

from this time forth and forevermore. 

Even to the end of the world.

Deceitful Lips

It seems strange somehow to be meditating on the sorrow of the cross during these weeks when the earth is budding with new life. But our walk with Jesus is a walk toward darkness. He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. 

Sunday’s coming, but there is a high price to pay to get there. Focusing on the price now makes the prize that much more meaningful.

At first, I thought, did we get it wrong, this church calendar thing? Shouldn’t the rhythm of God’s created line up with His creation?

But then I realized how perfect it is to be walking this road to Calvary while the earth is exploding with new life. What would winter be without the hope of spring? The days of mourning without the hope of gladness? The cross without the resurrection? Death without the hope of eternal life?

As we meditate on the sorrow of the cross and walk with Jesus into the darkness, God’s creation reminds us of the light and grace that is to come. It gives us hope to bear the sorrow.

A Song of Ascents. In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war! (Psa 120:1-7)

In Psalm 120, the first psalm of ascent, we find David crying out to the Lord for deliverance from those who hate peace. From those who lie to cause him harm, and spread deceit for their own gain.  

We remember that our Savior also endured the pain of deceitful lips. Those whom He came to save caused Him the most harm.

In the psalm, David is speaking of real men who sought to destroy him. Maybe you have deceitful people in your life, too. Or maybe you are your own worst enemy. Sometimes, when we begin an emptying of ourselves to make room for God, the enemy steps up his game. He whispers half-truths and lies to make us critical of ourselves, and take our focus off our Savior.

When this happens, we need to take a lesson from David, and cry out to the Lord for deliverance! Yes, it really is that simple. God will hear our prayers and act. Just as He did for David, just as He has always done.

Remember, we don’t walk this road alone. 

There’s not a place where you’ll go, where He’s not already stood. 

We are currently taking a look at the Psalms of Ascent as we journey toward Psalm Sunday and the Cross. Don’t miss a single post! Scroll down and subscribe to my email list.

Ascent Into Darkness

The room is bathed in a heavy golden light. I can feel the warmth of it, even though there are walls between me and the source.

I’m thinking about hell. 

The darkness that Jesus descended into after He finished the work of the cross. This time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, these forty hours, is where the season of Lent, as we know it today, began. A forty-hour fast, mirroring the time Christ spent in the grave. In the darkness, separated from God.

For my sin.

I began observing Lent a few years ago during a time when I was entering my own period of darkness. Through various sources, God began to show me that there is a rhythm to His days. Just as He created the seasons, Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, there are seasons to our walk with Him. There is more to celebrate than Christmas and Easter.

I began learning about “ordinary days” – which aren’t ordinary at all. I saw that each moment, each day, is sacred when we invite God to be actively involved. 

This isn’t easy with the lives we have and the culture in which we live. It takes attention and a measure of discipline. This is where a yearly observance of Lent can be helpful in our spiritual journey.

It is a time of emptying. A time of sorrow over the cause of Christ’s death.

My sin.

For me – a non-churched in the ways of Lent person – fasting {or giving something up} is not the point of Lent. Instead, during these 40 days, I focus on creating space in my life for more of Him. Some years I’ve had to give up something to create that space, other years it has meant simply a shift in my focus. Either way, it is about spending time with Jesus.

In Kimberlee Conway Ireton’s book The Circle of Seasons, she writes:

During Lent, we get to journey with Jesus as He makes His way to Jerusalem for the last time. What better songs to sing in this season than these Psalms of Ascent, sojourning songs of the faithful? What better way to prepare for the Triduum than to meditate on these pilgrim songs, songs our Lord Himself sang as He climbed the mountain of the Lord, to offer Himself as our Passover lamb?

I agree. The Psalms of Ascent add a musical backdrop to the Lenten journey. In 2016, I wrote a series of meditations on these fifteen psalms. Over the next five weeks, as we journey toward Psalm Sunday, I’ll be sharing them again in this space.

I hope you’ll join me.

(If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, there is a place to subscribe by email, so you won’t miss a single post!)