Working on My Knee Bends

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Pete

Solomon pled it. The LORD established it. Rehoboam tested it. I’m chewing on it.

Repetition. It again rules the day (or at least it’s what catches my eye). If you want someone to get something, then tell ’em what you’re gonna tell ’em, then tell ’em, then tell ’em again what you just told ’em. That’s how repetition works.

So, what’s the echo reverberating throughout 2 Chronicles 12? They humbled themselves.

Back in 2 Chronicles 6, at the dedication of the temple, King Solomon repeatedly asked the Lord to “hear from heaven” the prayers of His people when, after sinning, they acknowledged their sin and turned again to God. And the LORD, in 2 Chronicles 7, says, in effect, “Okay.”

“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

(2Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

Solomon’s successor, his son Rehoboam, is then the first recorded test case for Solomon’s plea and the LORD’s promise.

King Rehoboam — the doofus king. Ignored sound advice, embraced foolish bravado, and lost most of his kingdom (2Chron. 10). But while it was of his own making, the dividing of the kingdom was also “a turn of affairs brought about by God that the LORD might fulfill His word” (2Chron. 10:15). So, Rehoboam works with what he has left, and with “those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel” (2Chron. 11:16), and things come together pretty well (2Chron. 11:13-17).

But — and here’s the real doofus part — “when the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD” (2Chron. 12:1). And thus, the LORD abandons Rehoboam to a guy named Shishak and his band of marauding, oppressive Egyptians (2Chron. 12:2-5). Heavy sigh!

Now, cue the echo . . .

Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is righteous.” When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.”

And when he humbled himself the wrath of the LORD turned from him, so as not to make a complete destruction. Moreover, conditions were good in Judah. So King Rehoboam grew strong in Jerusalem and reigned.

(2Chronicles 12:6-7, 12-13a ESV)

So, I pick up what the Spirit keeps laying down . . . they humbled themselves. They brought themselves low. They put themselves into subjection. They bowed the knee.

Bending the knee. Not the most natural, reflexive action for many of us . . . at least not for me. And not just because I have aging knees. But because I too still have a powerful propensity towards a doofus heart (aka the old man . . . aka the flesh). A heart, like Rehoboam’s, which finds itself wandering — especially when enjoying relative ease brought about by the LORD’s blessing.

So, I’d do well to work on my knee bends. Ready to humble myself when (not if) my haughtiness impacts my holiness. In lowliness drawing near to God (James 4:8a). With contrition cleansing my hands at the foot of the cross (James 4:8b). Quick to get down on my knees as the only way of getting back on my feet again (James 4:10 MSG). Knowing that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9 ESV).

Knee bends. Something I need to keep working on.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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More and More

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Pete

It’s repetition that catches my eye and captivates my thoughts this morning.

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more.

(1Thessalonians 4:1, 9-10 ESV)

As you are doing . . . do so more and more. What you are doing . . . do this more and more.

More and more . . . that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

In some ways, I fear that the “doing so” which the church is to be doing, is, in fact, being done less and less rather than more and more. That how we ought to walk is being shaped too much by cultural norms and polarizing ideologies and not enough by what were once considered as Christ-like norms received through Paul’s inspired writings. That being taught by God to love one another is subtlety being filtered through lenses other than the gospel and our common salvation. So that, in our zeal to contend for the faith, we’ve perhaps lost some focus on loving the faithful (not the perfect . . . not just those aligned on all matters of opinion . . . but those who are born again and faithful).

And so, Paul’s words land forcefully this morning . . . Live to please God. Love one another. Do so more and more.

But if I’m honest with myself, I’m also battling, to some degree, the effects of “senior-itis” — that, as I get older, there’s the reality of waning energy. And, if I keep being honest with myself, it can spawn a temptation to settle for less and less. A temptation to think that having “put in my time”, I should be okay to now “put up my feet.” But if I have ears to hear, the Spirit wants to prompt my spirit by whispering afresh, “Do so more and more.”

And so I desire to keep running the race. To keep pressing towards the prize. To keep on keepin’ on. More and more . . .

How?

Only through His power made manifest in my weakness. More and more.

Only by the Christ who lives in me. More and more.

Only as I abide in Him. More and more.

Only by His grace. More and more.

Only for His glory. More and more.

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Paul’s Win (2016 Rerun)

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Pete

He couldn’t take it anymore! Twice Paul says that he “could bear it no longer.” What was it that caused such anxiety for the beloved apostle? What was so taxing that this man who had been beaten with rods, stoned at the hands of his enemies, and had suffered shipwreck multiple times, was almost at a breaking point.? What was it that was beyond enduring for this one who lived in constant danger on multiple fronts and was accustomed to sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, and cold and exposure? It was not knowing how his children in the faith were fairing.


For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

(1Thessalonians 3:5 ESV)

Paul had only been permitted three Sabbaths to proclaim the gospel in Thessalonica before he was run out of town (Acts. 17:1-10). While he had spent months, even years, in other places, in this place he was able to only to plant the seed, and to see only the early evidence of life before he was forced to leave the tending of this fertile ground to others and to the Spirit of God.

What I find so interesting is that Paul’s view of what it meant to win appears to have nothing to do with numbers or markers. There was obviously something beyond “professions made” or “souls saved” that drove Paul’s view of “winning.” Setting a record for the church most quickly established in the shortest amount of time amidst the most hostile of climates wasn’t the sort of statistic that Paul used to measure “success.”

Instead, what Paul needed to know–what he could not bear not knowing–was whether or not their confession of Christ bore the fruit of consecration to Christ. Having received Jesus as Savior seemed to mean little to the apostle if it were not also evident that they had given themselves to Jesus as Lord. He knew, given the hostility toward the gospel in Thessalonica, that if the believers there were not feeling the heat of opposition they probably were not living out the light of the kingdom.

He feared that the tempter would get the best of them, convince them that the cost they would need to pay was not worth the prize promised them. And so, unable to deal with not knowing any longer, he sent Timothy to learn about their faith and to “establish and exhort” them in their faith (3:2).

What grabs me this morning is that Paul seems to view a salvation which does not bear the fruit of salvation as no salvation at all. Had he not heard that their faith had resulted in them turning “to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1:9), he would have considered his time there in vain. Had the report not come back indicating that now these brothers and sisters directed their lives in anticipation of the Son’s imminent return (1:10), Paul would have considered his work there useless. Given the hatred and opposition toward the gospel in that place, if Paul had heard that his children in Christ were not feeling the heat of opposition and suffering for the sake of the kingdom (3:3-4), he would wonder if they had, in fact, really entered God’s kingdom.

Paul’s end game was not about the number who came forward for the altar call. The win wasn’t in simply planting a church. Rather, it was about disciples who lived out the faith. Followers who followed. New creations in Christ who lived as if Christ lived in them.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. . . . And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

(1Thessalonians 1:4-7 ESV)

Imitators of Christ. Examples to other believers. That was Paul’s hope and joy. That was Paul’s “crown of boasting” (2:19). That was Paul’s win.

The fruit of grace. For the glory of God

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They Became What They Worshiped (2021 Remix)

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Pete

According to the inspired songwriter this morning, you become what you worship.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
       the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
       they have eyes, but do not see;
they have ears, but do not hear,
       nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them become like them,
       so do all who trust in them.

(Psalm 135:15-18 ESV)

Precious metals fashioned by human hands. They are attractive. They do nothing. They gleam in the light. But they are lifeless. They have mouths, eyes, and ears. But they are without senses. They look fine. But they have no hope of flourishing. Build them, invest in them, pursue them, trust in them — become like them.

You become what you worship.

Bad news for those who worship idols and inanimate objects. Bad news for those who worship any created thing. But really, really good news for those who worship the Creator.

I’m reminded of that as I also started into Thessalonians this morning.

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

(1Thessalonians 1:9-10 ESV)

They turned from idols to serve the living and true God. They cashed in the gold and silver of earth for an inheritance in heaven. Rather than servicing things created by their own hands, they waited on the One who created all things and promised to return one day. They believed the promise. They trusted in the Promiser. And they become what they worshiped.

They became imitators of the Lord (1:6). Examples for other believers (1:7) in faith, love, and hope (1:3). To see them in action was to see Jesus in action. To hear their heart, understand their ambitions, and comprehend what compelled them was to know something of the heart, ambitions, and purposes of the One they worshiped. They became what they worshiped.

So do we.

Yeah, I know it often seems like two steps forward one step back. But, having entered the dynamic of transformation through worship, we can rest in the promise that He who has turned us to Himself, who has begun a good work in us, will make us like unto Himself and complete the work (Php. 1:6).

By His grace. For His glory.

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More In Tune

Posted on July 6, 2026 by Pete

I’ve mentioned before that this year I’ve added a “bonus reading” to my morning plan, Dane Ortlund’s devotional on the Psalms, In the Lord I Take Refuge. This morning, his thoughts on Psalm 133 have given me something to chew on.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is
       when brothers dwell in unity!     (Psalm 133:1 ESV)

Pretty well-known verse. Pretty amazing assertion of what is good and pleasant in the eyes of God, “for there the LORD has commanded the blessing” (v.3b).

But, pretty elusive, if we’re honest with ourselves. For, according to Ortlund, the joy of “real unity” is “to know and to be known by others, to enjoy a shared heart in some endeavor, to sense the deep resonance of oneness that comes from loving and being loved . . . when all divisiveness, strife, and harsh agreement” melt away.

Not unity because there is unanimity — complete agreement on everything. Nor unity as a facade for surface level uniformity — where our oneness is a “mile wide” only because we refuse to go beyond “an inch deep” with others. But unity which is founded upon our union with Christ, so that just as we abide in Him in oneness, we too abide with our brothers and sisters in oneness. As Ortlund puts it, a “unity that comes from the Lord — that is, not from pursuing unity itself but from pursuing God.”

Ortlund then quotes Tozer:

Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So, one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. (The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer)

As we grow in maturity, being conformed to the likeness of Christ — becoming more like Jesus — shouldn’t we also be growing in the freedom of openly and transparently and safely being comfortable with the uniqueness of one another?

More authentic? More gracious? More in tune?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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A Whole Heart, A Single Mind

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Pete

I’m no soldier.

I never marched in an infantry or rode in a cavalry. I’ve never shot any artillery nor flown over the enemy. But . . .

Can you finish it?

I’m in the Lord’s army . . . Yes sir! (click here and check this out if you have no idea what I’m talking about)

So, what’s with the Sunday School flashback this morning? 1 Chronicles 12 of course!

I’m reading this morning about “the men who came to David” (12:1). Mighty men. Fighting men. Soldiers’ soldiers.

They were men of valor from every tribe, pledging their allegiance to David the king.

For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God.

All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king.

(1Chronicles 12:22, 38 ESV)

With a whole heart . . . of a single mind . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Like I said, I’m no soldier. Your not gonna find me wearing a “Mighty Man of Valor” t-shirt. But I’m in the Lord’s army. Yes sir!

By God’s grace and through the Spirit’s awakening I’ve come to the greater David, Jesus, the King of kings. Thus, I too am part of a great army, like an army of God.

And while I may not be much of a soldier (no marching, riding, shooting, or flying), how I desire to come each day with a whole heart and be of a single mind to own afresh this greater David as king.

To have a holy determination to wholly be His. To be focused this day on being faithful for another day.

Not for my own purposes, but for His. Not wanting to build my own kingdom, but wanting to be part of building His.

Not by my own power, but only through His.

Only by His grace.

Only for His glory.

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Holding Fast to the Head

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Pete

While we know that it’s what we believe that counts, how wired are we to frequently follow-up by asking the question, “Yeah, but what shall I do?” Pretty wired, I’m thinking. The Colossians too, it would seem.

These believers in Jesus were in danger of being taken “captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition” (Col. 2:8) as they sought to figure out how to live for Jesus. There were those who would tell them it was about “food and drink” and about how they observed festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths (2:16). That it was also about self-denial, and supernatural experience (2:18). But at the end of the day, says Paul, no “to do” list, or “to don’t” list, was up to “stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (2:23) — nothing the flesh could do could stop whatever the flesh might want. Bottom line? “Self-made religion” (2:23), based on “human precepts and teachings” (2:22), were of “no value” (2:23).

Instead, what mattered the most is what these false proclaimers of piousness valued the least.

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

(Colossians 2:18-19 ESV)

Holding fast to the Head . . . that’s what I’m chewing on this morning . . . that’s what brings about a growth that is from God.

If we are not holding fast to the Head, then holiness is wholly on us. Thus, we need to be preoccupied with the details of our diet, the ways of our worship, and the correctness of our calendars in order to have any hope of measuring up. If rather than holding fast to the Head, we are self-reliant for righteousness, then we must “bow and scrape” (MSG) in hopes that our self-sacrifices will be sufficient. Without holding fast to the Head in order to not indulge the flesh, then we’re left to constantly trying to “check the boxes” in order to have any expectation of winning the prize when we finish the race.

But, if we are holding fast to the Head, then we rest in our union with Christ for our victory over the flesh. For the traditions concerning what we eat, where we celebrate, and what holy days we keep are just “a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ” (2:17) — and because we are in Him, that substance is already ours. Our concern is not with how disciplined we can be in punishing the flesh, for we have already been baptized into Christ’s death so that, “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). And so, we rest in the reality that whatever “to do” list is put before us, Christ has already “to done” it — it is finished!

Holding fast to the Head, as a member of His body. Abiding in the Vine (Jn. 15:5), as a branch bought by the blood. No longer living life on my own because I know that Christ lives in me, “and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). So that, just as “in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (1:19), I also can know that fullness because I “have been filled in Him” (2:10).

While there are certainly “to do’s” in the Christian life, my doing is founded in, and fueled by, the daily, mind-blowing truth of who I am in Christ. And my greatest “to do” is holding fast to the Head. Laying hold with a tight, two-fisted grip, of Him who has already laid hold of me.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Extreme Giving (2011 Remix)

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Pete

Kind of interesting to go back and read the following thoughts when, for many today, tithes are no longer given through the taking of a weekly offering, but more likely through the automated execution of a recurring online transaction. At our church, we’ve relatively recently decided to address that reality — the reality that online giving has, for most in our congregation, created a disconnect between our gathering and our generosity. So, because 90% of us are now giving through an app, we have added to our Sunday morning liturgy a time to pause, reflect, and thank God for the joy of generosity. Good move, I think.

As I noodle on these thoughts from 15 years ago, I’m grateful that we’ve taken a small step towards fostering the thrill of “extreme giving.”

I heard a sermon years ago on cassette tape (. . . tells you how many years ago . . . ). It was entitled “Legions of the Unjazzed.” The preacher used a surfing analogy to contrast the difference between the ho-hum Christianity of the “unjazzed” and the joy and excitement of the “jazzed”, those who know the thrill of “catching the big waves” as part of traveling this pilgrim path. He talked of the difference between the blandness of just going through the motions of “living for Christ” and the passion ignited when we do the same stuff with a heavenly perspective. And, as I hover over the latter part of Philippians 4 this morning, it occurs to me that the giving of my treasure (and my time and my talents) can also be an act of jazzed or unjazzed worship.

“Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

(Philippians 4:16-18 ESV)

The Philippians had determined to support Paul financially. They were faithful to write the check (aka cheque). But notice the perspective Paul had on the gift he received. It was “fruit that increases to your credit” . . . it was “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” Their gift was so much more than just going through the weekly routine of dropping an envelope into an offering bag . . . it was more than just reaching into their pocket and mindlessly dropping a couple of bucks onto the plate . . . instead, it was part of “catching the wave.”

Their gift was an investment. For every dollar they purposefully put in the offering, a greater deposit was being accrued to a heavenly account. Jesus called it “laying up treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20). Paul would tell Timothy that “to be generous and ready to share” was to store up treasure “as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1Tim. 6:18). Doesn’t that sound like the language of the jazzed? How I give is part of laying hold of true life. Tithing was an Old Testament obligation . . . cheerfully giving an offering is an act reflective of the grace and gift we have received. And, let’s be clear, it’s not about the amount . . . it’s about the mindset. That which is accrued for us in heaven is not some factor or multiplier of every dollar we give away . . . the “interest” accrued for that day when we are with Him is determined by Him out of the abundance of His grace. Ours is to make the deposit . . . His is to give the increase.

Secondly, the gift is an act of worship. We use the phrase, “Take up the offering” . . . but how often do we really see it as an act of glorifying our God . . . of ascribing to Him immeasurable worth . . . of trying to express in some feeble way our love and awe of Him? I’ve often thought we lose something when we separate the offering from the singing during our Sunday morning meetings. If it were up to me, I’d be passing the plate in the middle of a song . . . I’d be sending around the bag or the bucket or the whatever while the sacrifice of praise is pouring out from our lips.

When’s the last time I wrote the cheque (aka check) and thought of it as a fragrant offering . . . an acceptable sacrifice . . . an aroma pleasing to God? Instead, it’s most often just fulfilling my “commitment” . . . or it’s just part of being faithful will “my little” or faithful with “my much” . . . it’s just being obedient as a good steward of that which God has blessed me with. Not that there’s anything wrong with any of those perspectives . . . they’re biblical . . . but, honestly, not much jazz factor there. But to pause just a moment before placing the envelope in the bag . . . to actively engage in the “let’s pray for the offering” part of the service and reflect on the sacrifice I’m about to make . . . that kind of takes it up a notch. To consider that it pleases God . . . hmmmm . . . that’s kind of exhilarating!

An investment in an account in the treasuries of heaven . . . an aromatic sacrifice ascending to heaven itself, pleasing to God. That’s catching the wave . . . that’s the way of the jazzed . . . that’s “extreme giving!”

By His grace for His glory.

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Casting Shade

Posted on June 24, 2026 by Pete

Met with a friend yesterday. He’s going through it. Through the gauntlet. Through the storm. Through the fire. The crucible burning hot, he’s intensely feeling some purifying heat. Maybe that’s why shade hits my radar so brightly this morning.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
       From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
       who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
       He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
       the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
       nor the moon by night.

(Psalm 121:1-6 ESV)

The LORD is your shade . . . That’s what I’m hovering over this morning.

This song is a song of ascents. A song for the trip up to Jerusalem. Lyrics to be sung while traveling the road to the place where the glory dwells. Part of a playlist for a journey filled with uncertainties, possibly even unforeseen dangers. And yet, a song of confidence that the trek begun will be the trek completed. A song to assure the pilgrim that he can keep on keepin’ on because the LORD is his keeper and because his helper is the LORD who made heaven and earth. A tune which testifies that even in the scorching heat of the day — or the withering temperatures of a crucible of testing — the LORD is your shade.

Casting shade. That’s what our God does.

While He may not remove the furnace, His abiding presence allows the pilgrim to endure the heat. Without necessarily cooling down the temperature, His presence brings not only respite but even refreshment and renewal. Even though the day may be anything but cool, if we walk with the LORD we’ll always walk in the cool of the day. The LORD is your shade . . .

What a song for the faithful, though perhaps weary, pilgrim who feels again the heat of another refining fire. What a reality for those who, by faith, sing to themselves, again and again, the LORD is my shade.

The LORD is your keeper;
       the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
       nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all evil;
       He will keep your life.
The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in
       from this time forth and forevermore.

(Psalm 121:5-8 ESV)

Amen and amen.

By His grace. For His glory.

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At Hand or At Hand? Yes and Amen!

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Pete

Reading the first few verses in Philippians 4. Pretty familiar stuff so I’m pretty quick with the colored pencils to mark it up. Pretty quick with the dark-green colored pencil to highlight a reminder that Jesus is coming soon. But then something (Someone?) causes me to pause and ask myself, “Self, is Paul saying Jesus is at hand, or, that He is at hand?”

Paul begins to wrap up his letter to the Philippians with seven, rapid-fire commands-to-obey. Rejoice always and rejoice again are the first two (4:4). Then Paul commands this body of believers to be gentle with everyone (4:5), anxious about nothing (4:6a), and to pray about everything (4:6b–7). He concludes with an exhortation to think about excellent things (4:8) and to put into practice all the things they had “learned and received and heard and seen” in Paul (4:9). And in the midst of this list of divine directives – as apparent fuel for the fire of obedience – is a not to be forgotten truth.

The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:5b ESV)

Most other translations render it, The Lord is near. Philips says, “Never forget the nearness of your Lord.” And the NLT and The Message lay their interpretive cards on the table: “Remember, the Lord is coming soon”; “Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!” (I’ll let you guess which is the NLT and which is the MSG).

And, as I read this phrase this morning, I immediately sided with the interpreters, underlining the phrase with my dark-green colored pencil. Jesus is coming soon. He is near. He is at hand.

Fair interpretation. Likely the most common interpretation. But not the only interpretation. For while it could be (and probably should be) read in a temporal sense, that Jesus’ return is closer now than ever before, it could also be read in a proximity sense, that Jesus is as close to me now – He is at hand – as He’s always been. At hand and near to me now because I am in Him.

That’s why I can rejoice always, because I rejoice in the Lord (4:4a). It’s how He promises to guard my heart and mind with a peace that passes all understanding, guarding it in Christ Jesus (4:7b).

In Him. In union with Christ. A branch abiding in the Vine (Jn. 15:5). The divine connection providing the power to do what He commands. The transcendent truth infusing the desire to obey. For just as the Son delights to do the Father’s will, so do I.

The Lord is at hand.

Out there and coming soon and very soon.

In here, through His Spirit, Christ living in me (Gal. 2:20).

At hand and coming soon? Or, at hand and ever present?

Yes!

And amen!

By His grace. For His glory.

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