Peculiar Pilgrims
This has been an eventful winter with changing weather patterns, the clamor of elections, and warnings of viruses bombarding us. I am so grateful that I can take a deep breath,… be still … and know that God is God. One of my favorite hymns is “O Worship the King.” It grounds me as I sing the truth: “Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail. Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.” God is indeed our defender and our friend.
We are His Peculiar People
While we live out our days as salt and light, it is comforting to remind ourselves that we are peculiar. As we zealously live out our faith and point people to Jesus, we will never become acclimated in this present world for we have been redeemed and set apart for Him.
“Our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:13-14 KJV)
Some days it seems like I fit right in with my friend and neighbors. When I am talking to them about the weather, their children, cutting the grass, or their favorite local restaurant, we discover that we have much in common. Other days I know that I am a stranger and pilgrim living in a strange land. I am comforted knowing that the men and women of faith found in Hebrews 11 were also peculiar. They were not in sync with their culture. What made them different, and special, was not how they dressed or their customs, but their fixation on the next life. Their hearts and minds were locked in on Him who is invisible.
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13)
“It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27 NLT)
If They Only Knew
I met one of my neighbors at the local auto mechanic’s shop. We discovered we lived only a few hours away from each other. I commented that I knew exactly where she lived for I passed her home on my regular walks. She was quite relieved to know I was the mysterious tall man who walked around the neighborhood at night with a little flashlight.
Little do my neighbors know, this is a prayer walk where I sing, pray, give thanks and commune with the invisible God. I like the stillness of night, when it is just me and my Dad.
Singing Son, Smiling Dad
Our son John sometimes sings in His room when he is particularly happy. My wife and I look at each other and smile. It blesses us to hear him. Perhaps It blesses God’s heart when He hears me singing the truth and worshipping Him. I like to think of God smiling as I walk around my neighborhood singing His praises and coming close to Him.
I can sing by faith because Jesus is seated on His throne, alone and unrivaled, and everything is under His control. I imagine I am not only a worshiper but a cheerleader. I want God to know I am on His team and a part of the peculiar and grateful people of God who are cheering Him on! I am believing for His kingdom to come on this earth just as it is is heaven. I do not want to be a complainer or a fist shaker, but a big Amen to His will and purposes.
David put it best: “My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! .” (Psalms 57:7 NLT)
Someday we will all be gathered around His throne and it will be as easy as breathing to give Him praise then. I like to think we get extra credit for praising Him even when outwardly we could be worried or complaining. Someday we will all be gathered around His throne and it will be as easy as breathing to give Him praise then. I like to think we get extra credit for praising Him even when outwardly we could be worried or complaining. It is a privilege to offer up a fragrant offering and a sacrifice of praise as we walk by faith.
“Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
Loving Jesus
Another characteristics of peculiar people is that we deeply love someone we haven’t seen with our physical eyes. There will come a day when we shall see Him as He is. Until that blessed time, we still love Him and cling to Him, by faith.
“You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” (1 Peter 1:8 NLT)
Some time ago, I asked God the Father to deepen my understanding of Jesus. I want to know Jesus more love and appreciate Him more. The Spirit quickened two verses to my mind, both from the first chapter of Colossians. I hope you will be as edified as I am as I mediated on these inspired words. God the Father certainly delights in magnifying His Son.
“He (God the Father) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:13-20)
Prayer for God’s People
May “God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (to) give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him.” (Ephesians 1:17-19 NLT)
Spring Conferences
I am looking forward to seeing many of you at conferences this Spring,
March 12-14 Fort Worth, Texas
March 19-21 Greenville, South Carolina
March 26-28 St. Louis, Missouri
April 16-18 Cincinnati, Ohio
Laborers Who Deserve Their Pay
I am looking for a few more Co-Laborers to work with at conventions promoting Stewardship, Family Worship, the Hymnbook, and other BFF resources. You will be recompensed for your time. If you are interested email me sdemme@demmelearning.com
Steve