"Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not known." (Psalm 77:19)
I shared on this passage before, but as I read it today during our time here in Berlin, there was a reminder of just how little I "understand" or "perceive" about what Jesus is about, not only here, but in the earth.
We took a tram yesterday through a northern part of the former East Berlin. From January, 30, 1933, to November 9, 1989, the people who lived in this part of Berlin were in virtual slavery. "Things" differentiated somewhat between the National Socialist reign and the Soviet Russia dominated reign of the Communist East German Government. Terror, however, was very much the same. There were varying degrees of this throughout the 9 Eastern European nations during the communist era, but essentially the the objective of the German Government of the 1930s and '40s was very similar to the communist reign of terror of the late '40s to 1989, viz., destroy, or at least, so pressure the Church of Jesus to the extent that only very small groups survived. One way or the other, the enemy of men's souls is out to destroy. Thanks be to God, however, the truth/power of Jesus Words, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
What do we understand really about what has gone on here or what is going on here? What do you and I really "understand" about our individual situations, families, work, communities? If you find people who have answers to your problems, trials, temptations, etc., then as the saying goes, "more power to you." But there is no doubt in me that some of life's "deepest" issues are a mystery, e.g., what to do, how to act or react, even how to pray (Thank our Lord Jesus for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit). Our text does not give a "revelation" into this, but it does admit to something which you and I would be well advised to accept, "[Jesus'] way was in the sea, [Jesus'] path in the great waters, and [Jesus'] footsteps were not known." It should be enough for us that in and through it all, Jesus' "footsteps" were always there, going and taking us with Him in His purposes for us and His Church. My friend, maybe His, "footsteps were[are] not known," or His "direction," but we know Jesus, and we are known of Him? Let Him "step" where He may.
If you want a little "more" on this, I suggest you read "My Utmost For His Highest" for March 15. If you do not have a copy, go to Google and type in, "My Utmost for His Highest," and click on the calendar for the devotional of March 15. It never ceases to amaze me how our Lord Jesus Christ gets His Words into us.
Father, in Jesus' Name, maybe we don't have to "understand" as much as most want. It is enough for me that, "Your way was in the sea," and, "Your path in the great waters." Thank You that in Christ, "Your footsteps," are written in my heart. Amen.
I shared on this passage before, but as I read it today during our time here in Berlin, there was a reminder of just how little I "understand" or "perceive" about what Jesus is about, not only here, but in the earth.
We took a tram yesterday through a northern part of the former East Berlin. From January, 30, 1933, to November 9, 1989, the people who lived in this part of Berlin were in virtual slavery. "Things" differentiated somewhat between the National Socialist reign and the Soviet Russia dominated reign of the Communist East German Government. Terror, however, was very much the same. There were varying degrees of this throughout the 9 Eastern European nations during the communist era, but essentially the the objective of the German Government of the 1930s and '40s was very similar to the communist reign of terror of the late '40s to 1989, viz., destroy, or at least, so pressure the Church of Jesus to the extent that only very small groups survived. One way or the other, the enemy of men's souls is out to destroy. Thanks be to God, however, the truth/power of Jesus Words, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
What do we understand really about what has gone on here or what is going on here? What do you and I really "understand" about our individual situations, families, work, communities? If you find people who have answers to your problems, trials, temptations, etc., then as the saying goes, "more power to you." But there is no doubt in me that some of life's "deepest" issues are a mystery, e.g., what to do, how to act or react, even how to pray (Thank our Lord Jesus for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit). Our text does not give a "revelation" into this, but it does admit to something which you and I would be well advised to accept, "[Jesus'] way was in the sea, [Jesus'] path in the great waters, and [Jesus'] footsteps were not known." It should be enough for us that in and through it all, Jesus' "footsteps" were always there, going and taking us with Him in His purposes for us and His Church. My friend, maybe His, "footsteps were[are] not known," or His "direction," but we know Jesus, and we are known of Him? Let Him "step" where He may.
If you want a little "more" on this, I suggest you read "My Utmost For His Highest" for March 15. If you do not have a copy, go to Google and type in, "My Utmost for His Highest," and click on the calendar for the devotional of March 15. It never ceases to amaze me how our Lord Jesus Christ gets His Words into us.
Father, in Jesus' Name, maybe we don't have to "understand" as much as most want. It is enough for me that, "Your way was in the sea," and, "Your path in the great waters." Thank You that in Christ, "Your footsteps," are written in my heart. Amen.
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We leave tomorrow for Prague, then Tubingen. Please pray for us and an infection which "caught up with me." I'm doing some better, but still have a way to go. Thanks.
We leave tomorrow for Prague, then Tubingen. Please pray for us and an infection which "caught up with me." I'm doing some better, but still have a way to go. Thanks.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
