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Last night, after a beautiful Maundy Thursday service at Christ Church, we all as a group walked around the Old City, past the Kidron valley and up to the Mount of Olives. It was a solemn yet beautiful walk, the light of stars above and twinkling lights of city below, everyone silent remembering that night when Jesus prayed, and wept, was betrayed. Yet amidst the darkness, and the appearant hopelessness of it all, Jesus did not flinch...though he could have stopped the whole thing with a word. Yet he "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Strong as the darkness of that night was, there was a joy that was stronger! And it was the joy that through this death, those he loved who were far might be brought near by his blood. Those who were stained with sin and shame would be presented blameless to the Father in the light of his righteousness. That in this darkest moment would shine such a light that would never be put out, "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Cor. 4). And that through his blood we would be redeemed, and that when we stand overwhelmed in the depths of his mercy we would praise him as our king.

This quote kept coming to my mind, and I think it's such a powerful reminder of how deceptive the circumstances this world can be! That no matter what happens or what darkness seems to reign, that God is sovereign,he is always good, his faithfulness endures forever and forever he shall be our king.

"When Christ uttered, in the judgment hall of Pilate, the remarkable words, "I am a king," he pronounced a sentiment fraught with unspeakable dignity and power. His enemies might deride his pretensions and express their mockery of his claim, by presenting him with a crown of thorns, a reed and a purple robe, and nailing him to the cross; but in the eyes of unfallen intelligences, he was a king. A higher power presided over that derisive ceremony, and converted it into a real coronation. That crown of thorns was indeed the diadem of empire; that purple robe was the badge of royalty; that fragile reed was the symbol of unbounded power; and that cross the throne of dominion which shall never end."
-JL Reynolds

Mining for Wisdom

This morning I walked down sunny Jaffa street (crazily busy during the holiday!) and found my way to the Coffee Bean where I enjoyed a cold ice coffee and (even more delicious) a new book! It's a study guide that goes through the book of Job, called "Mining for Wisdom" by Derek Thomas.

I'm only a few chapters into but am already so encouraged and really excited to learn more from this book...and to learn from the amazing story of Job what it means to believe that God is good, whatever the circumstances of life, and to trust in his faithfulness even if "all the lights go out".

One bit stood out to me in the first chapter, where Derek Thomas is defining wisdom, according to the Bible. He says:

"Being wise, in Bible terms, is set against the backdrop of our relationship to God. Unless we 'know God' (through faith in Jesus Christ alone) and walk in his ways, we are fools. As Jesus said: 'And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand' (Matt. 7:26.)

Reverencing God is crucial. Depending upon him, walking humbly before him, worshipping him at every point of our lives is the way of wisdom. Wise people, the Bible insists, glorify God and enjoy him in all circumstances.

Even in Pain!
Even when life turns bitter!
Even when dreams are shattered!
Even when nightmares become reality!
Even when we secretly think that God is a 'cosmic sadist',
as C.S. Lewis once confessed."

Later he mentions again Job's reverence, and fear, of God. He said, "Job had a great God and he knew it! When we fear God, as a rendition of Psalm 34 by Isaac Watts puts it: 'we will have nothing else to fear'!"

I pray that God would teach me what means to fear him, to every moment be an awe of his greatness and his love. To remember how small I am, how short are my days and yet how full of grace he is towards me! How weak I am, yet how strong and steadfast is his love. And that my heart would worship him joyfully, whatever happens in this life, however dark things seem to be.

"If I say,'Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,'
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you."
(Psalm 139:11-12)

How seet the name of Jesus sounds

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.

Dear Name, the Rock on which I build,
My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace!

By Thee my prayers acceptance gain,
Although with sin defiled;
Satan accuses me in vain,
And I am owned a child.

Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
O Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy Name
Refresh my soul in death!