Thoughts
It’s Always Been You, God
Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, ‘Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.’
So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up.
So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.”
Exodus 17: 8-13 (NLT)
We’ve all been there.
With yet another task, responsibility, or plan before us to complete.
Maybe something we’ve never done before, or leading others into an uncertain opportunity, project, or mission.
Maybe at home as a spouse or parent, or at work as an employer or employee, trying to meet our responsibilities of support.
Perhaps as a coach, teammate, in ministry or another role where expectations are high, and others are counting on us.
Whatever it is, whatever the responsibility before us, we find ourselves at times needing help to go on, and often don’t know where to turn.
We’ve all been there.
Right where Moses found himself.
Needing to keep his staff high so the Israelite army could prevail over the attacking army of the Amalekites, but he was too weary to hold his arms and hands up.
So his brother, Aaron, and friend, Hur, sat him on a rock, stood on each side of him and lifted his arms and hands so the staff could be held high. And the mission was completed, and the Israelite army prevailed over the Amalekites.
Aaron and Hur were there when Moses was in need, to stand by him, to help him calm the storm within and around him, shine a light in the darkness which began to overtake him, and carried Moses on to lead the Israelites to a victorious end.
They were always there. And there are those who are there for us as well.
But behind and above Aaron and Hur for Moses, and behind all those there for you and me, is the One who saw each of us first. The One who saw us at our worst, deep in fear, surrounded with uncertainty, with darkness all around—not sure what to do next.
The One who always stood with us, guarded and guided us, carried, and pulled us up out of wherever we were, to where we needed to be. The One who sends others into the battle to help, and to “lift our arms and hands” to help us to press on.
Listen to these words by Phil Wickham in his song— “It’s Always Been You”—
“You saw me first, You let me in when I was at my worst.
The moment when I heard You say my name,
It’s the first time in so long I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid.
You are the voice that calms the storm inside me,
Castle walls that stand around me, all this time, my guardian was You.
You are the light that shines in every tunnel,
There in the past, You’ll be there tomorrow,
All my life, Your love was breaking through.
It’s always been You, and it’s always been You.
Who stood with me in the fire? It was You, it was always You.
Who pulled me out of the water? It was You, it was always You.
And who carried me on their shoulders? It was You, I know it’s You, You.
It’s always been You, and it’s always been You.
It’s always been You, It’s always been You, It’s always been You.”
It was God before all time, before He created it all, and you and me.
And ever since, in whatever we found ourselves, or find ourselves today—He is always there for us.
Seeing us wherever we are, He is the One calming our storms, standing as our guardian, guide and light shining in every tunnel.
It’s always been God, and always will be God.
And all His arm lifters.
In His Name–Scott
Be lifted and energized by this music video with Phil Wickham singing his song “It’s Always Been You.”
Recent Thoughts
True North – Christ
The 3rd habit Stephen Covey laid out was to “Put First Things First.” It emphasized the need for the discipline and commitment to distinguish between the “important” things of life, and those that are simply “urgent” or “not important.” And to set our priorities in life based upon what is important, the “true north,” or as Jesus would say on the eternal things and people, not the worldly or temporary things of life.
Easter – Beneath the Crust
As the pilot navigated toward the center of the island he banked the helicopter hard to the left and kept it banked for a few moments, and pointed for us to look down through an opening to deep beneath the surface of the island, past the gray and black crust of hardened lava we could see on the surface. And what we saw, deep down beneath that gray outer crust—was beautiful red flowing lava.
His Power Within
There’s one scene where Eric Liddell is speaking in the rain and against a backdrop of umbrellas, to a group who stayed to hear him share after he had competed in the event. As the rain falls steadily on those assembled on the now-quiet track, he compares faith to running in a race, as he asks…
“Where does the power come from to run the race?”