Month: September 2018

Conditions and Promises

On By Michele Huey, Author & SpeakerIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
The view from my back deck – my quiet place

But those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. – Psalm 37:9 NIV

My life is a witness to the faithfulness of God.

Back when we were poor and renting an apartment in town, we longed for a house in the country. But circumstances being what they were, the only chance we had of attaining that dream was a prayer.

But prayer, as we’ve learned over the years, is the most powerful force in the universe. Because sincere prayer unlocks the power of a God who loves us, has a plan and purpose for our lives, and wants the best for us – His best.

Back then Psalm 37 attached itself to my spirit, particularly verse 9: “Those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”

And, oh, how we desired land – wide open spaces to roam and grow and raise our family.

Dean grew up on a 90-acre farm, and times spent visiting his parents in the country brought a spring to his step, a gleam to his eyes, and a joy in his heart that nothing else could. I saw a side of him I didn’t see when we were in town. I loved this side of him, and being the good wife that I am, longed for a home in the country even more.

But – the great “buts” of life – the obstacles, the mountains we cannot climb, the impossible dreams.

But nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:37).

Ever notice the “but factor” in the Bible? First a statement of distress, then “But God . . .” There’s neither time nor room to explore all the places in the Word this statement appears. But let’s just focus on one psalm: Psalm 37 – the psalm the Lord gave me when I felt hopeless, the psalm I clung to over the years, the psalm I believed was God’s promise to me.

I particularly latched onto verse 4: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

The desires of my heart can be dangerous if not in line with what God wants for me. So my prayer became, “Lord, place Your desires in my heart, so I want what You want me to want – what You want for me.”

As I studied the psalm further, I saw it was a condition-promise psalm. There were certain conditions I am to fulfill for God to act on my behalf. Let’s look at them.

I am to:

  • not fret
  • trust in God
  • do good
  • live in dependence on Him
  • delight in Him
  • commit my way to Him
  • rest in Him
  • refrain from anger and forsake wrath
  • depart from evil
  • wait on the Lord
  • keep His way

And God will:

  • give me the desires of my heart
  • act (bring it to pass, answer prayer)
  • bring forth righteousness and justice
  • cause me to inherit the land
  • give me an abundance of peace
  • uphold me with His hand
  • be my strength in times of trouble
  • deliver me

I especially love verses 23–24: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”

As I look back on my life, I see the faithfulness of a God who keeps His Word, who cares intimately for me, who guides and directs my steps and makes them firm, who gives me the desires of my heart.

Yes, we inherited the land. We have a beautiful home in the country on 13 acres, a family we delight in, faithful friends we can depend on for prayer support, and a God who blesses us exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Read and meditate on this psalm.

What verses speak to your heart? What situation in your life do these verses address? And, most important, what is God saying to you?

Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. Amen.

Read and meditate on Psalm 37. 

© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.

To My Husband on His Retirement

On By Michele Huey, Author & SpeakerIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
Dean, beaming, on his last day at work after his co-workers presented him with this cake

When the time of his service was over, he returned home. – Luke 1:23 NIRV

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24 ESV

Finally, the day has come. Your retirement. We’ve dreamed, planned, worked, and prayed. For years.

I have to admit: I’m a little scared. Because, after over forty years, there won’t be a regular paycheck every two weeks. Time to test the faith we profess: that God will supply everything we need (Philippians 4:19), so we don’t need to worry about tomorrow or the tomorrow after that or all the tomorrows God has in our future here on earth (Matthew 6:25–33).

My heart and spirit know this, but I’m having a little trouble convincing my head, which has always been the practical part of me. The part that wants to see before I believe.

But how much more do I have to witness?

God has always been there for us. Remember how He provided the heating oil we needed the first year in the “house”? Or a repairman for the recycled furnace?

I used quotation marks around house because it wasn’t really a house yet. It was a concrete block cubicle, an unfinished basement into which we moved when our first child was four and our middle child was 11 months old. The third one, a surprise, came along four years later when we’d just moved the bedrooms upstairs.

Dean takes a break from building the deck.

Our house-in-progress took over 30 years to complete. But complete it you did – while working 11-, 12-, sometimes 14-hour days. And finding the time to take us camping and being the husband and father we needed. Not only did you teach our children by example the value of hard work, you showed us all patience and steadfast love in action.

I’m so looking forward to the time together. At last!

It took me several weeks to get out of a funk after spending every day with you during the 10-day vacation we took exploring Michigan this past summer. I missed you terribly when we came home and you went back to work.

The high point of my day has always been the moment you walk in the door after work.

And now I get to be with you all day, every day. Except the days you go hunting or fishing. Or when I push you out the door so I can get some writing done.

My brother cautioned me to “be gentle, understanding, and patient” as you transition to retired life. To which I answered: “All of which I am not.”

And now, after four decades of faithful, loyal service to your employers, you deserve a long, healthy, happy retirement doing the things you didn’t have time to do all these years – hunting, fishing, going for long walks in the woods with your camera, and heading out with the camper (and me) to explore this beautiful country of ours.

I love you. Always and forever.

Bless this wonderful man, Lord, exceedingly abundantly above all he can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He deserves it. Amen.

Read and meditate on Psalm 92:12–14

© 2018 Michele Huey. All rights reserved.