Grains of Sand

Pixabay David wrote: “ …I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands. ” (Psalm 31:14, 15a) Few of us understand just how vulnerable it feels to be completely at the mercy of someone else. David understood. How often the shepherd/psalmist/king/fugitive was forced to run for his life, pursued by those who, had they been able, would have left him bleeding in the dust. I wonder if he ever wished for more control over the circumstances of his life? Today, as we celebrate the resurrection, I marvel again at the One who has control over all things, giving over control to those who arrested, condemned, and crucified Him. But in the celebration of today, we are reminded that the control His enemies thought they had as they sealed the tomb and set a guard over it, was no control at all. He had never lost it—appearances to the contrary—even on the cross. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us that, “ There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under hea...

I cringe every time I hear someone headline Satan. He craves attention, feeds on our focus, delights when we make him bigger than life. That's why I like what James has to say about the struggles that we all face. Rather than making "good press" for the devil, James calls us to look beyond the minor players in the great drama of life to the One who gives us good gifts even when they come wrapped in dirty rags. " Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. . .Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him " –James 1:2-4, 12, NIV. Our tendency is to give Satan credit for what God is doing in our lives. We don't usually look on difficulties as "...