A CHRONICLES VICTORY

Daily Reading

2 Chronicles 20 could have ended in tragedy as a result of the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites approaching to cause destruction to Judah. Thanks to the king’s response, it ended in a miraculous victory that they could rejoice in for the rest of their lives.

I love the way king Jehoshaphat immediately turned to the LORD, drew all his people together to corporately fast and inquire of the LORD. People came from every town to seek God. How exciting not only to read about the mighty deliverance God rewarded the people with, but their obedience as soon as they were faced with alarming news. May my life reflect such devotion and this same heart of seeking him daily!

A CONVERSATION WITH MY SOUL

Psalm 42

The psalmist's appetite for God in this psalm is the benefit of his trials. He is clearly suffering and mourning over troubling circumstances, "all your waves and breakers have swept over me", yet before falling into despair he catches hold of himself by speaking truth to his soul and praise about the one his soul loves. "By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life"

How much more do we need to take the reigns of our thoughts and command our souls the way the psalmist does. "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

ASCRIBING TO HIS POWER

Psalm 29

David took time to write this beautiful psalm solely worshipping God for who he is. The same voice that spoke us into existance is the same voice that controls the elements. Here is the picture of a frightening thunderstorm, yet David finds this an occasion to ascribe this kind of power to God’s majestic voice.

I’ve had the blessing of experiencing several mighty thunderstorms in Australia as a child and they truly are frighteningly majestic! We may not see many thunderstorms here, but we can set aside times of praise like this. If we have our eyes open like David, we can see this same voice of his power and glory evident and actively working all around us.

I’m glad that God’s splendor and power doesn’t end with the elements but it also touches our lives, benefiting us with peace and strength. I take comfort and joy today in knowing that this same kind of powerful hand is on my life.

A CHRONICLES CELEBRATION

I am reading through the Bible and have started commenting on a passage here and there. Today it's on 1 Chronicles 29

The joy and excitement in the air of these few days for the Israelites is quite contagious. “They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD that day.” (1 Chron 29:22a) How could one not have great joy in the presence of the eternal king! This meal was the culmination of their prior activities of wholehearted giving to the treasury of the temple, of David’s memorable prayer, the assembly’s corporate praise, and abundant sacrifices to the LORD.

It’s interesting that David’s prayer preceded these events, setting a wonderful tone for all that followed.

11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Several years ago I memorized this prayer, and these words have been timely reminders to me again and again of who truly owns all wealth, greatness, power, and strength. It has influenced how I give. May our lives mimic this picture of Israel’s obedience and wholehearted devotion to God. And may our giving reflect the heart of David’s prayer!

PEACE

Yesterday I read this devotion & journal entry by Hannah Whittal Smith (below) and since then her prayer has become my own. Thanks to the trials God has graciously allowed in my life over this past year, this is more my heart's desire than ever. Some circumstances may never change (there's no guarantee because we can't see around corners) but praise God that our hope is not in them; it is in the Sovereign God who holds the universe in his hands! How I have wasted time and strength giving in to anxiety over my unmet desires, in other words, saying I trust him, but not living it out. I want to be completely moldable and in his hands so my life will glorify him in the way he intends. He is the one who has overcome the world so I choose to trust him with my whole heart! Just like Horatio Spafford could say, "It is well with my soul" after his four daughters drowned, we can claim this same "supernatural" peace too!

Won't you join me in owning this prayer this too?

ALL ON THE ALTAR
As much as I have objected to it and disapproved of it in the past, I have been brought to the point of entire consecration. I find that the soul which wants to live the life hid with Christ in God must be entirely given up to Him—and definitely given up too. I must present my body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him, which is my reasonable service.
And I do! Lord Jesus, here and now I definitely yield myself up unreservedly to you. All that I have and all that I am, both now and in the whole future of my life, I lay upon your altar. Everything is yours, and I am yours to follow you wherever you may lead me.
Oh Lord Jesus, let this be a reality! Bring this consecration about in me and through me, and keep it. You know my utter weakness, and to you I commit myself in this. Oh I ask you, let me never, never, never, draw back from the transaction of this moment. Let me never for a moment take back the slightest thing of all I have now consecrated or surrendered to you. Make it a reality.

—Journal, March 30, 1868

Smith, H. W., & Dieter, M. E. (1997). The Christian's secret of a holy life : The unpublished personal writings of Hannah Whitall Smith (April 6).



IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Ho­ra­tio G. Spaf­ford, 1873.

SISTER'S WEDDING . . . SYDNEY FAMILY

A FEW SYDNEY MEMOIRS

Well here we are, so happy and rested in Australia. Yes I survived the 14 hour plane ride with our three children but could not have been more relieved to see family on the other end. Eric arrived one week after us and every moment has been quite an adventure.

So far we have been roaming around Circular Quay and the Opera House; spent an afternoon splashing around the impressive Olympic Aquatic Center & parks, where we learned what a water baby Jack is; experiencing Sydney's NYE fireworks from my sister's rooftop; visiting churches (there is truly no place like our CBC home), enjoying the beautiful beaches here; savoring each great thunderstorm; snorkeling; preparing for my sister's wedding tomorrow morning; and plenty more.

Of course we were delighted when my cousins, Bernard & Tanya, offered to loan us their extra car for the month. God is so good! While I am learning not to panic through Sydney's extremely narrow lanes, Eric is doing a stellar job driving on the left side and finding his way around these complicated city streets.

The children adore being with my Australian family. What a blast they are having exploring my mum's backyard; gathering veggies, discovering giant spiders (ten times the size of our Calif. ones), and avoiding the "mozzies" (mosquitoes). Jack quickly learned to sleep in a bed, even though we do find him sleeping in odd places at times. Sofia-Maree turned a corner with the ocean and learned to jump waves at Manly beach. Braydon turned three and enjoyed all the attention from having his first real family birthday party (with cousins & all).

And how could I not add that today is extra special . . . my man and I celebrate our nine year anniversary! I love you Eric!

We are praising God for this wonderful time and can't wait to be back with our CBC family again soon.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We are celebrating so many good things God has done in our family in 2007. Here are a few . .

~Sofia-Maree, who just turned five, started kindergarten in the fall and is a great pleasure to homeschool. She loves to read and blesses us daily with her art creations. In November she entered an American Airlines coloring competition and won first place! This sweet servant-spirited child is always helping at home!

~ Braydon is almost three and keeps us humored daily with his endless energy, clever imagination, and his funny little animation voices. He is always happy to play his much-esteemed sister's games. They are the best of friends! We are reminded daily that Jack is "his" baby brother.

~ Jack , is almost 18 months and has a language all of his own. He is such an easygoing, friendly, hugable, loveable little guy; just the kind of baby that makes you want another.

~ It has been a topsy-turvy year for Eric work-wise, and despite the long, crazy hours of working, his perserverence without complaint is truly admirable. Such humbling circumstances have found us more grounded than ever in the things that count the most; our dependence on the Lord in prayer, and gleaning from the word together. These are the times we are cherishing the most.

~ Yvonne is loving the new adventure of homeschooling, the rewarding work of coordinating the Partners ministry, her Women's Bible Study is a favorite day of the week, park dates with friends, and Voice Over classes.

~ Yvonne and the children are also looking forward to visiting family in Sydney, Australia for the month of January. We are so excited for God's provision so that Eric can now join us, yet we are still trying to get a seat for him (January is completely booked to AU). God-willing we will be able to celebrate our anniversary in Sydney where Eric proposed nine years ago. Other great news is that we will get to meet our newborn nephew (Glen & Nikki's 2nd child).

~ Lastly we can't express enough just how thankful we are for our friends and our church family at Compass Bible Church.

Have a wonderful Christmas and may you burn brightly for Christ in 2008!

The Foust Family

God grant you
The light in Christmas, which is faith.
The warmth of Christmas, which is love.
The radiance of Christmas, which is purity.
The belief of Christmas, which is truth.
The all of Christmas, which is Christ.
-Wilda English