Tuesday Tidbits

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1Peter 2:10

The question from the pastor on Sunday morning was, “Who are your people?” My mind flashed back almost fifteen years sitting across from my new boss. The dental practice I worked for had been sold, and now the new boss was trying to get to know his new staff. Not too far into the conversation, he asked me why I had worked for the previous owner for almost seven years. I remember wondering if it was a trick question to manipulate me into revealing any office discourse. So I kept my reply very generic and empathically replied, “Because these are my people!” He asked me to explain myself. I said my co-workers were my friends, and many of my patients were people I lived with in the community, church, school, Girl Scouts, and neighborhood. How would you answer that question? Who are your people?

In this new season of life called retirement, one of our most pressing prayers is for the Lord to show us our people. It’s hard to leave friends, neighbors, and colleagues behind, and finding new people when called to move is tough. After numerous military moves, you would think finding my people would be easy. But it is not, and according to the scriptures, I don’t know if easy is the right word. The process should be intentional and God-driven for sure. In Mark 3:31-35, Jesus describes who our people should be and the criteria required for them to be our people. Jesus is among a crowd, and someone relays the message that His mother, brothers, and sisters are asking to speak to Him. And Jesus replied, “Who are My mothers and My brothers?” I can only imagine the look on the faces of the crowd. In the passages just before this account in Mark, the scribes were accusing that Beelzebul or Satan possessed Jesus. Jesus was not helping his case here by asking the crowd who His mothers and brothers were. On top of being possessed, they can accuse Him of being demented. But He goes on to answer His own question and redefine the meaning of family. He looks around the circle and declares, “Here are My mother and brothers! Whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother.” I imagine a sweet, gentle look on Jesus’ face, arms sweeping wide to include all sitting around Him and inviting them if they were not already to be a part of His family. As Christians, we are Jesus’ people!

So, what does that mean for us when we define our people? I believe every person that crosses our path in this life is a divine appointment. There are no coincidences. Some people are in our circle for many years, and some for only a brief time, and it is all under the sovereignty of God. Hopefully, many are Believers because we need fellow Believers in our circle for support and uplifting (Hebrews 10:23-25). But some will be unbelievers so that the world may see and know Jesus through us (John 17:23). I’m blessed to have many people with whom my life circle has intersected. Still, I have learned that only Christ’s definition is true when defining “my people,” not the one I gave to my new boss over a decade ago. It is those that do the will of God. And what is the glorious end to knowing who your people are? The answer is found in Revelation 21:3: Look! God’s home is now among His people. He will live with them, and they will be His people. We will all live together someday with God! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture, taken this summer before leaving VA, is of a few of “my people.”

“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:40

I was excited when the church emailed that a Christmas caroling and chili night was planned. It had been a long time since I had gone caroling, and it has always been one of my favorite things to do at Christmas. The best part was always seeing the faces of the recipients as the familiar tunes were sung. There were always smiles of appreciation despite the quality of the concert. I didn’t know many details about the upcoming event but put it on the calendar. Ironically, North Carolina was experiencing an unusual cold snap, so I had to dig out the winter coats, scarves, and gloves. The cold weather only added to my excitement and anticipation.

We headed to the host’s home when the evening arrived, with chili in hand and bundled up for the cold. When we arrived, I could immediately tell something was wrong. My first clue was that there were no other cars at the house, and the second was the somewhat odd look we received as the door was opened. Remember, we are very new to the church, and many folks don’t know us. We saw this as an opportunity to participate in a service event, fellowship, and get to know our new church members. We learned we were one hour early for the chili event and that the caroling began at another home several miles away. Yep, I totally missed those details! After recovering from embarrassment, my first instinct was to leave the chili and go home, but the sweet hosts encouraged us to find the carolers. Driving down the road, I made the battle plan. Once we arrived and found the group, I would scout them out to see if I recognized anyone and evaluate if it would be too embarrassing to join in late. If so, we would drive back very slowly to the chili house and hang out on the street until everyone else showed up after caroling. In light of how the evening unfolded, I can only imagine God looking down on me, shaking His head, saying, you silly, prideful woman. Do you really think you can out-battle plan Me? And, He probably said, I thought this evening was supposed to be about blessing others and fellowship and not strategizing to save face. Not my best moment, for sure.

We found the group standing in a driveway; they hadn’t started yet. As we walked up, they welcomed us in and gave us song sheets. I was excited to knock on the first house’s door and work our way down the street. But I soon learned that was not the plan. We were told that the lady inside the house was a long-time church member and she was dying. The cancer had returned with a vengeance, and her life expectancy was very short. Her husband came outside to greet us and told us that his wife was feeling well enough for us to come inside. She wanted to meet us. She graciously welcomed us as we crossed the threshold and gathered around the kitchen island. The couple stood, arms entwined for strength, and joined us in song. At the finish of each song, she would share a little glimpse of her overwhelming hope in Jesus.  By the time we ended with Silent Night, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I’ve contemplated how to express the feeling of standing in the presence of someone with one foot in Heaven and witnessing the radiant joy on her face with every sense of my body. But there truly are no words.

I love it when God takes the simplest things, like Christmas caroling, and unexpectedly turns them into one of the most inspiring moments of our lives. And to think I almost missed it because of silly pride! We worship a big God who deeply loves the small, simple things and uses them to change our lives. God used very small stones to change David’s life forever. He used a tiny baby to bring salvation to the world. He can change the course of our biggest trial with a mere gesture.  In this New Year, I pray we can anticipate and expect God to show up monumentally in the “little things of everyday life.” And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:16-19.

In my opinion, Christmas movies are in a class of their own. There are many kinds of Christmas movies that all end happily, but the irony is we already know the ending because we have seen it a dozen times. It is the only time of year when I will sit for hours and watch a movie I have seen so many times I practically know the lines. But even though I think I know all there is to know about the show, something seems always to catch me by surprise. It happened recently as I was flipping through the channels and caught the end of the 1994 remake of “Miracle on 34^th Street”.  

A few years ago, a much younger friend enlightened me that most millennials and younger have never seen many of the classical Christmas movies I grew up watching and made my kids watch. And honestly, I had never seen some of the films she traditionally watches during the holiday season. So, if you have never seen Miracle on 34^th Street, this is your spoiler alert. Watch it and come back to the Tidbit later! In this classic, an older man named Kris Kringle claims he is really Santa Claus, leading to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity. I flipped the channel just as the judge declared that Kris needed a miracle to win his case. That line had never struck me like it did that night. Kris’s lawyer had exhausted all his defenses, but that was not enough to win the case. He needed help from another source. How often do we deplete all our human resources and finally look up for help?

The original 1947 version has the same final ending but arrives at it differently than the remake. The original uses the postal service and thousands of letters written to Santa Claus as a defense mechanism, and the 1994 version uses a dollar bill. In 1994, fewer people used snail mail, and the almighty dollar was much more relevant. The judge’s moving speech alluded to Kris’s freedom as he pointed to the words on the dollar bill that say, “In God we Trust.” He went on to say the “Federal government puts its trust in God. It does so on faith and faith alone.” Plot twist: who would have ever thought a movie about Santa Claus would end up pointing to God and our need for faithfulness?

The story of Jesus’s birth is a Bible story that, as Christians, we have heard, read, and watched portrayed many times. And just when we think we know the verses line by line, one will touch our heart, and we will be amazed all over again at the wonder of His birth. Just like the movies, we already know the ending, but we must yearn to hear the story again and again. We should never tire or think God can not renew our minds with a familiar passage of scripture. Jesus was definitely a plot twist for the Jews. They were expecting a King, but the Messiah came as a babe. They were expecting to be delivered by the Law, but Jesus fulfilled the Law and called us to put our faith in Him. The ending is the same as the movie: Faith sets us free. Read and ponder the story of Christ’s birth this week and ask God to enlighten you to see something new and be amazed.  

As she sees Santa Claus, the amazement on Susan’s face (in the picture) is heartwarming. We can only imagine the faces of the Wisemen and kings when they saw Jesus. But I’m sure the look was the same, awestruck wonder. May we experience awestruck wonder and amazement this Christmas and every day as we remember the sacrifice that was made on our behalf.  And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.        

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10

I admittedly am a last-minute shopper. But being retired, I have found myself out and about much more than usual this time of year. According to the cashier at the Hobby Lobby, whom I chatted with briefly after over twenty minutes of waiting in line, I am correct in saying the hustle and bustle of the holiday season seems to be in full gear, and December has barely started. I love everything about Christmas and can be guilty of getting caught up in my to-do list, and my focus can get off-target. So I love it when God, in His infinite wisdom, unexpectedly guides me to a devotional, sermon, or something in everyday life that reminds me to adjust my priorities. The true joy of Christmas is found in God’s presence. When we step back from the busyness of Christmas or even the busyness of life and focus on the gift we were given, in Christ Jesus, the joy of the season will be found.

Busyness at any time, particularly at Christmas, can rob us of joy and is a genuine spiritual threat. As Christians, our lives should exude joy. Paul’s admonition to the church at Philippi was to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). To the church of Galatia, he listed joy as one of the fruits of the Spirit that evidenced their freedom in Christ (Gal 5:22). When unbelievers see us, especially during the holidays, grumbling and stressed out wearing the tee-shirt that shouts “Jesus is the reason for the season,” I’m sure they are questioning more than our wardrobe selection. Jesus tells us in John 15:11 that we should be filled with the fullness of joy. Busyness attacks all that. As wonderful and fun as present wrapping, cookie baking, and holiday parties, all done in the name of Christmas can be, they tend to bombard our joy when we become overwhelmed and lose our focus.

Imagine the joy on parents’ faces as they welcome their newborn baby into this world. Then multiply that by tenfold. That is the joy we should feel when we focus on the source of our salvation, which came wrapped in swaddling clothes. David wrote in Psalm 16:11, “….in your presence there is fullness of joy.” Joy comes from living in the presence of God. And we should celebrate Christmas remembering what God did to make Himself known to us through His Son. That’s the real and everlasting Christmas party!  Don’t let the busyness of the season steal your joy. If you feel it slipping away, stop, take a deep breath, and sit in God’s presence for a while. Dig into His Word, listen to your favorite Christmas hymn or podcast, pray, or just be still and reflect on the gift you have been given and the joy it brings to your heart. Christmas is a season of great joy, and God wants us to enjoy it. It is His gift to us. And there is no better gift to be had. Joy to the world, the Lord has come! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of geese that decided to cross the road in the middle of a busy intersection right in front of my car. Our only option was to sit and wait. It reminded me that sometimes, in the middle of the busiest times, we must stop and slowly waddle!

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

The story of Abraham and Isaac that was recounted in the last tidbit has many teachable truths, and almost every verse reveals a life lesson in righteous living. Throughout this week, I pondered Abraham’s three-day journey to where God had told him to go. He told Abraham not only the destination but also the mission. God didn’t call out to Abraham, tell him to go to the land of Moriah with Isaac, and then tell him He would let him know why he was called to go there after he got there. I believe that Abraham revered God so much that he would not have even questioned Him had that been true. But God told him straight up what had to be done, and I can’t even imagine the questions and pain Abraham experienced knowing for three days what he had to do. The scriptures don’t tell us that Abraham even uttered a word of response to God, not even a “why.” Instead, we witness Abraham’s amazing faith in that “he got up early the next morning” and prepared for the journey (Gen 22:3). When we know the coming day is going to be a difficult one, how often do we hit the snooze button to delay the inevitable a few more minutes? Not Abraham, and I can’t think of any day that is more difficult than the day that lay ahead of him. He knew that day, and the next two were going to be the worst days of his life, but his faith carried him forward despite the pain. When we trust God in the midst of our pain, He will help us move forward and reveal Himself to us as we walk in tangent with Him.   

I do have to wonder if thoughts of sacrificing Isaac constantly plagued Abraham or if he walked the three days in deep communion with God. Relying on the promises and believing that God would raise Isaac from the dead still didn’t absolve Isaac of the pain that he would have to endure. Watching a child endure pain that we cannot remove as a parent is heart-wrenching. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” During the three very long days, the Lord was with Abraham in his sorrow as He is for us in our hour of need. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.” God is our peace in the desolate valleys of life.

“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance” (Gen 22:4). I picture Abraham going along the dusty, dirt road with his head hung in prayer and sadness. But when he came to the precise spot God appointed, he looked up. He pulled his head out of the slump and lifted his eyes upward. Sometimes, even when the road ahead is difficult, we have to look up and move forward in faith to receive the blessings that God has to offer. How often do we keep our eyes on the ground and the dire situation and forget to look up?  How often do we miss what God has waiting for us: the more profound knowledge of Him, glimpses of His glory, and being propelled into His arms? When we “look up,” we don’t have to seek the “why” in our circumstances because His goodness and faithfulness are steadfast. He has the situation covered with the perfect plan, just like He did for Abraham and Isaac. As this Christmas season unfolds, I pray we remember Jesus is not just the reason for the season; He is THE REASON. Look Up! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.   

The picture of the lamb was taken at Nazareth Village in Israel.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalm 36:5

I learned that “Godwink” carries a definition thanks to a Hallmark movie. Yourdictionary.com and the movie define it as an event or personal experience, often identified as coincidence, so astonishing that it is seen as a sign of divine intervention, especially when perceived as the answer to prayer. SQuire Rushnell coined the term, and it has gained widespread usage. Personal descriptions of when God shows up in our lives can help alert our senses to His presence. Mine is in the name of this blog; a tidbit. But no matter the word you use, it depicts God’s faithfulness in our lives.

Realistically and at the human level, we are deeply needy people. On any given day, we require emotional and spiritually uplifting, financial help and reassurance, physical needs met, or resources related to an emergency or crisis. We rely on Godwicks and tidbits, God and His faithfulness for comfort and peace. The story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 is a profound example of God’s faithfulness. God asks Abraham to kill his only son, and he offers no objections. One can only imagine how agonizing the three-day journey was for Abraham and the feeling he experienced on the third day when he looked up and saw the place in the distance (vs. 4). All the while, as they climbed the mountain, carrying the knife and the fire, Abraham’s heart must have been breaking. At the same time, he believed in God’s faithfulness. Hebrews 11:19 says, “Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again.” So, he trusted that God had a plan and would remain faithful to His promises. When young Isaac asked where the sacrifice was, Abraham reassured his son by replying that God would provide (vs. 8).  And while Abraham may have been calm and collected for the sake of Isaac as he laid him on the altar, I can’t imagine that Isaac was not frantic when he realized he was the burnt offering, which made it all the more difficult as he raised the knife that would slay his son. But God looked upon Abraham’s obedience, and the angel of the Lord called out to him and commanded him to stop (vs. 11-12). Then Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horn. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place “The Lord-Will-Provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided” (Genesis 22:13-14).

In Hebrew, “The Lord-Will-Provide”is Jehovah-Jireh. The Lord always provides. Like Abraham, we may think we know God’s plan. God didn’t have to raise Isaac from the dead because God had another plan. He shows up and demonstrates his faithfulness to us through Godwicks or tidbits. But we must believe He will always show up, and His plan will be perfect for us. This account has a much deeper meaning, for Abraham’s son was a symbol of Christ. But this tidbit is to help us to be thankful for God’s faithfulness and always providing for us. As you celebrate Thanksgiving, bring to the table remembrances of Jehovah-Jireh and His faithfulness in your life. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.      

But here on this mountain, God-of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, a feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts. And here on this mountain, God will banish the pall of doom hanging over all peoples, the shadow of doom darkening all nations. Yes, he’ll banish death forever. Isaiah 25: 6-8 (MSG)

I recently volunteered alongside my daughter, Brooke, at the Food Bank of central and eastern North Carolina. I humbly admit I was unfamiliar with the Food Bank organization, so I had no idea what I would do during my four-hour time slot. I have since learned that the Food Bank is an affiliate of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. The massive, completely self-reliant facility was built to withstand a category-five hurricane, and I can honestly say that I have never seen anything that compares to it. The gigantic refrigeration and freezers allow them to distribute over 97,000,000 pounds of food yearly. That equates to over 80,000,000 meals to those in need. The Food Bank partners with an average of 700 food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and group homes. They depend heavily on volunteers to help prep and prepare the food, load it into disposable food containers, vacuum seal, box, and store it until ready to be distributed. At any one time, no less than 10,000 meals are in storage, ready for distribution. Their vision statement simply says, “No one goes hungry.”

Last week, I assisted with sealing and boxing the food containers. It was interesting to see the variety of meals, but I also noticed that the portion size was very modest. It was about the size of your typical “Lean Cuisine” frozen meal. And I wondered if that was enough to make sure that the recipient would not still be hungry. Would it be enough food to satisfy their hunger? In the book of Mark, Jesus had the opportunity to feed many people with only a little bit of food. He had thousands of hungry mouths to feed with only five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:35-44). “Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.”  Not only were the people no longer hungry, but there were leftovers!  This miracle reveals many Biblical truths, but the one we don’t often recognize is an important aspect of God’s character: He always gives in abundance!    

We often give God our leftovers. Our leftover time, our leftover resources, our leftover minds and bodies after the day has physically and mentally drained us. But God only gives in abundance. He doesn’t supply just barely what we need and call it a day. He goes over and above, sometimes beyond anything we can imagine. His mercy abounds, His love is never-ending, His grace is unfathomable.

And in the most important demonstration of His abundance, God went so far as to send his Son to earth as a lowly human, to die on a cross to redeem rebellious, undeserving humanity. His gracious abundance provides us a pathway to eternity to live with Him forever. A place where hunger will not exist. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit. 

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. Ezekiel 34: 11-12

Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well is a familiar passage to most of us (John 4:1-26). The Samaritan woman was a hot mess needing a lifestyle change for sure. Jesus offered her a drink of the Living Water, and she accepted and went on to tell the entire town. It is an amazing example of God’s grace to an undeserving soul. It reminds us that we all are undeserving souls dependent upon God’s grace and mercy for salvation. But this time, studying this passage, one little word caught my attention and took my thoughts in a different direction.

Chapter 4 of John opens with Jesus and his disciples traveling from Judea to Galilee. He left Judea and went again to Galilee. He had to travel through Samaria…..(John 4:3-4)   The little word I referred to is the word “had.” The scriptures said Jesus had to travel through Samaria when, in fact, He didn’t have to. Though it was the most direct route, most strict Jews traveled across the Jordan and bypassed Samaria. They did not want to risk defilement by being anywhere close to a Samaritan. To the Jews, a Samaritan was more revolting than a pagan Gentile. Sometimes, I believe when we hear the word Samaritan, our mind settles into the story of the Good Samaritan, and we forget how deep the hatred ran. The story of the Samaritans and how they came to be can be found in the book of 2 Kings. The king of Assyria captured the cities of Samaria and deported most of the Israelites to Assyria (2 Kings 17:6). The King of Assyria brought people from all the surrounding areas and settled them in place of the Israelites in the cities of Samaria. They brought their foreign gods with them, and together with the Jewish remnant that remained in Samaria, they created a religion for themselves that the Jews considered heresy. The Samaritans not only intermarried with the foreigners, but they defiled all Jewish customs and laws.  

But despite the ongoing feud, Jesus “had” to travel through Samaria. Why? Because He was in pursuit. He didn’t care about what people would say about Him taking the wrong road or talking to not only a Samaritan but a Samaritan woman of ill repute. He was on a mission, and she was His mission.  From the very beginning, God has pursued us. After Adam and Eve sinned, they did not run toward God; they ran away, hiding among the trees (Genesis 3:8). But God pursued them, calling out, “Where are you?” God’s passionate pursuit of us required Him to send His beloved Son to die in our place. And Jesus’s earthly mission was to seek and save that which is lost. He never gives up, even when we are stubborn and rebellious. His pursuit is relentless. And He continues to pursue us after we have trusted in Christ for salvation. He pursues a deeper commitment from us so that we may be conformed to the image of Christ. Jesus pursued a woman who was a hot mess in every way and made her kingdom worthy. There is no greater honor than being the object of the Lord God Almighty’s pursuit. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of the Sea of Galilee with the surrounding countryside. This would be Jesus’s destination when he went by way of Samaria.

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:35-37

I have shared in previous posts that my favorite season is fall. I love all things fall: the food, the pumpkin-scented candles, the cool, crisp weather, and the vibrant autumn trees. The kaleidoscope of fall foliage in Virginia and West Virginia is visually stimulating. People come from all over the world to see the beauty of the Shenandoah Mountains as the leaves turn spectacular colors to create a breathtaking palette along the mountain ridges. Despite knowing and remembering what a fall should look and feel like, it’s difficult to discern that fall has arrived in my new surroundings. The tall evergreens, palm trees, and warm temperatures don’t give even the slightest hint of the change in season, even though the calendar says otherwise. The calendar tells one truth, but my surroundings do not validate that truth. What is your plum line for truth? Is it the world (surroundings) or the Word (calendar)?

This world gives us ample opportunity to question what is truth or untruth. We are constantly bombarded with half-truths and lies in every venue of our lives. We can’t trust everything we read on the internet. Our politicians blur the facts regularly. Photographs can be manipulated, as well as statistics and comparisons. Even our minds and eyes can deceive us. But the word of God is entirely true, always has been, and always will be. That truth will never change.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm and contains the longest chapter in the Bible. It is a repetitive meditation on the magnificence and value of God’s word. This psalm is intended to function as an instruction manual and a plum line for living a godly life. It is a psalm that brings great comfort in times of trial. “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (Psalm 119: 49-50). We can look for comfort in many places. Still, the unshaken fact is all we really need to sustain us is the precious promise that the Lord is faithful to His word. Unlike my faulty senses that try to tell me it is still summer and not fall during my daily walk, the psalmist reminds us that God’s word is indisputable, “The statutes you have laid down are righteous, they are fully trustworthy” (vs. 138). God’s word is not affected by easily deceived human senses or time. “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations…your laws endure to this day” (vs 89-91).

Truth is a relative term to much of society; there is no plum line. When you need to know the truth about yourself, the truth about people, the world, the future or the past, the truth about what brings joy and happiness, and especially the truth about God, then there is only one source. It is God’s word (John 17:17). Ironically, the answers to all those questions we often ask ourselves can be found in Psalm 119. I would encourage you to spend some time this week reading and meditating on the many, many truths found within the verses that cannot all be expounded upon in the space of this tidbit. I tell you the truth: doing so will bring your soul joy! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of my Dad’s home and the beautiful West Virginia fall foliage on the family farm.    

Messengers told Jehoshaphat, “A large army from Edom east of the Dead Sea has invaded our country.”  Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he asked the Lord what to do.  2 Chronicles 20:2-3

After years of peace, King Jehoshaphat was simultaneously besieged by three armies. Jehoshaphat was not a perfect king, but a good king in many ways. But even valiant kings can become unsettled and fearful, especially when surrounded by three different “ites”: Ammonites, Moabites, and Meunites. In our world, there are all kinds of different ‘ites” to throw our lives off kilter and produce fear. World events, relationships, illness, finances, and many other things constantly play a role in the stability of our lives. Jehoshaphat leaves us with a beautiful example to follow. In his time of crisis, he turned to God.  He called the people together and instituted a fast. Then they traveled to the temple in Jerusalem to pray. (2 Chron 20:3-5). Christians do not need to go to the temple to pray. Our journey is much shorter. It is only as long as the length of your calf. That is the distance from the floor to your knees.

In King Jehoshaphat’s prayer (2 Chron 20: -12), he gets to the heart of the matter. He honestly and openly confesses that he does not know what to do. “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Is there any more beautiful way to bring ourselves to the foot of the cross than with this simple prayer that, more often than not, describes our reality? When we don’t know what to do, He does. When we are powerless, He is all-powerful. The world offers many solutions to our problems, but Jehoshaphat turned to the only source that can give us what we need. And that source is God alone.

Whatever we are facing can feel like a vast army. It can feel like every “ite” known to man is against us. We can be taking fire from all sides and feel like we are losing the battle. But when God enters the picture, the odds change. The battle is His, and no one can withstand the power and might of His hand. But like Jehoshaphat, we must turn the fight over to Him through prayer. Our challenges in life can bring us into a closer relationship with God. Our lives can be transformed as our faith and trust in Him grows. Each “ite” that the Lord knocks down on our behalf is another layer to our testimony to share with others.  Let the words of the Lord to Jehoshaphat bring peace and comfort to our “ite” filled lives. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s……Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you….Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you (2 Chron 20:15,17).  Take your position in prayer, do not be afraid or discouraged, and know that the Lord is with you, and the battle belongs to Him. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of prayer at the Jerusalem Temple’s western wall and was taken during my trip to Israel in March 2022.