That those things which cannot be shaken may remain (Hebrews 12:27) – c.h. spurgeon

We have many things in our possession at the present moment which can be shaken, and it ill becomes a Christian man to set much store by them, for there is nothing stable beneath these rolling skies; change is written upon all things.

Yet, we have certain “things which cannot be shaken,” and I invite you this evening to think of them, that if the things which can be shaken should all be taken away, you may derive real comfort from the things that cannot be shaken, which will remain.

Whatever your losses have been,
or may be,
you enjoy present salvation.

You are standing at the foot of his cross,
     trusting alone in the merit of Jesus’ precious blood,
and no rise or fall of the markets can interfere with your salvation in him;
     no breaking of banks, no failures and bankruptcies can touch that.

Then you are a child of God this evening. God is your Father. No change of circumstances can ever rob you of that.

Although by losses brought to poverty,
     and stripped bare,
          you can say,
“He is my Father still.
     In my Father's house are many mansions;
          therefore
               will I not be troubled.”

You have another permanent blessing,
namely,
the love of Jesus Christ.

He who is God and Man loves you with all the strength of his affectionate nature — nothing can affect that.

The fig tree may not blossom,
     and the flocks may cease from the field,
          it matters not to the man who can sing,
               “My Beloved is mine, and I am his.”
Our best portion and richest heritage we cannot lose.

Whatever troubles come, let us…show that we are not such little children as to be cast down by what may happen in this poor fleeting state of time.

Our country is Immanuel's land,
     our hope is above the sky,
          and therefore, calm as the summer's ocean;
we will see the wreck of everything earthborn,
     and yet 
          rejoice
               in the God of our salvation.

At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  The words “once more” indicate a removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Hebrews 12:26-27

And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good (Genesis 32:12) – c.h. spurgeon

When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and Esau was coming with armed men, he earnestly sought God's protection, and as a master reason he pleaded, “And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good.”

Oh, the force of that plea! He was holding God to his word — “Thou saidst.” 

The attribute of God's faithfulness is a splendid horn of the altar to lay hold upon;

     but the promise, which has in it the attribute and something more, 
     is a yet mightier holdfast—

          “Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good.”

And has he said, and shall he not do it?

     “Let God be true, and every man a liar.”

          Shall not he be true? Shall he not keep his word?
Shall not every word that cometh out of his lips stand fast and be fulfilled? 

Solomon, at the opening of the temple, used this same mighty plea. He pleaded with God to remember the word which he had spoken to his father David, and to bless that place….

It shall never be said that God dishonours his bills. 

The credit of the Most High never was impeached, and never shall be.

He is punctual to the moment:

     he never is before his time,

          but he never is behind it. 

Search God's word through, and compare it with the experience of God's people, and you shall find the two tally from the first to the last.

Many a hoary patriarch has said with Joshua, “Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass.”

If you have a divine promise, you need not plead it with an “if,” you may urge it with certainty.

The Lord meant to fulfill the promise, or he would not have given it.

God does not give his words merely to quiet us,

     and to keep us hopeful for awhile with the intention of putting us off at last;

          but when he speaks,

          it is because

          he means to do as he has said. 

But You have said, “I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.”

Genesis 32:12

As I went down to the river

Every now and again, I go down to the river.  Literally.  I get in my car and drive for a couple of miles out to where the old country road T’s and, after a short hop over the railroad tracks, I could dip my toes in the not-so-mighty Susquehanna.

I take this pilgrimage every few months or so…more in the milder months…less in the colder, icier ones.  It is good for my soul. 

Ironically, I discovered this soul-soothing pathway while test driving my turbo-engined Saab 900 at 80 mph.  (I needed a country road for this.  I was young and the guy selling me the car thought it was a great idea.  I don’t do this kind of thing any more.)

It’s been a little while since I ventured down that way last, and I went today on a whim.  It was a gorgeous day.  The kind where Heaven seems to touch Earth and all is well. 

In my soul, this was not the case.  I needed the solace, the rest that comes from meandering down a little winding, hilly, bumpy, narrow, field-lined road.  (And—this is very important—manure has not been spread on the fields nearby recently.)

I live in the suburbs but within a stone’s throw of farmland.  Except for one, terrible five-year stint, this has always been the case for me.  And I love it! 

(My people are farmers.  Well, some of them, at least.  In the last couple of generations.  Not so much in mine.  It is a miracle that my brother and I weren’t raised on a farm, as my dad thought that mucking barns was a great way to instill responsibility…the same way he learned it.) 

I plugged in one of my favorite CDs.  Margaret Becker’s Immigrant’s Daughter from 1989.  Bliss.  Pure bliss for this girl-raised-in-the-eighties. 

I can’t remember anytime I’ve taken this drive and listened to something besides Christian/gospel music.  The jaunt is part of a spiritual journey, and somehow Bon Jovi or Michael Bublé or Skynyrd just don’t seem to set the right tone.  (Call me crazy.)

Here’s what I saw as I drove.  (Pardon the photos—I had only my cell phone with me.)  At times I stood on farm lanes, where corn grew on one side of the road and on the other stood a wheat field.  

At one point, I turned onto another little road and found this old church settled among pre-Civil War era homes.

It’s still in use, 

but the cemetery dates back to at least the early 1800s.   

God’s not afraid of your honesty.  He can heal your heart if you speak honestly.  

Humble sorrow and an honest cry—He will not pass by. *

These crosses stand behind a white municipal building-cum-church in the middle of corn fields

Just come in, lay your heart right here.  You should never fear. 

Look at the sky—the east to the west.  I will forgive you no matter what you’ve done.**

Written on the sky, I see Your reply.  You say, ‘I stand with the meek.’ ***

(Used sepia tone effect here because this hillside reminded me of Tuscany!)

 So I wail for wisdom, and I cry for a cure.  

I need less of me, and I need You more and more.  ***

This is what I do to get away for a short time when my soul needs refreshment.  This is my 30-minute rejuvenator, reminder, resetter.

Where do you find retreat?

One of my girlfriends heads out on a solo hiking/camping weekend.  She is the outdoorsy type and finds God’s voice in the wind, the sun, the trees, the Creation.

Some of my favorite gals convene in locations where they can enjoy activities as well as spiritual retreat.  Sandy Cove Ministries is one of these places.

Perhaps you enjoy silent prayer at a retreat center such as a Jesuit Center (such as this one located in Wernersville, PA).  

Where do you find rest?  Perhaps I’ll see you on the road to the river someday.

* "Honesty" by Margaret Becker, (c) 1989 His Eye Music (SESAC) on Immigrant's Daughter (Sparrow Records)

** "Just Come In" by Margaret Becker, (c) 1989 His Eye Music (SESAC) on Immigrant's Daughter (Sparrow Records)

***"This Is My Passion" by Margaret Becker, (c) 1989 His Eye Music (SESAC) on Immigrant's Daughter (Sparrow Records)

The Lord taketh pleasure in his people (Psalm 149:4) – c.h. spurgeon

How comprehensive is the love of Jesus!

There is no part of his people's interests which he does not consider,
     and there is nothing which concerns their welfare which is not important to him.

Not merely does he think of you, believer, as an immortal being, but as a mortal being too….  

     “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

          “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” 

It were a sad thing for us if this mantle of love did not cover all our concerns, for what mischief might be wrought to us in that part of our business which did not come under our gracious Lord's inspection!

Believer,
rest assured
that the heart of Jesus cares about your meaner affairs.

The breadth of his tender love is such that you may resort to him in all matters;
     for in all your afflictions he is afflicted,
          and like as a father pitieth his children, so doth he pity you. 

The meanest interests of all his saints are all borne upon the broad bosom of the Son of God.

Oh, 

what a heart is his, 

that doth not merely comprehend the persons of his people,
but comprehends also the diverse and innumerable concerns of all those persons! 

Dost thou think, O Christian, that thou canst measure the love of Christ? Think of what his love has brought thee—
     justification,
         adoption,
               sanctification,
                   eternal life!

The riches of his goodness are unsearchable;
     thou shalt never be able to tell them out or even conceive them. 

Oh, the breadth of the love of Christ! Shall such a love as this have half our hearts?

O my soul, tune thy harp to a glad song of thanksgiving!

Go to thy rest rejoicing,
     for thou art no desolate wanderer,
          but a beloved child, 
     watched over,
          cared for, supplied,
               and defended by thy Lord.

For the Lord takes delight in His people. 
Psalm 149:4