Like: The Next Door of Opportunity
When attempting to describe a person or convey an experience, you might say something along the lines of, “Well, it’s like …”
One of the freedoms of human communication involves the combination of language and imagination to illustrate a reality yet unperceived by the hearer. It is often helpful to reference a familiar point of orientation and go from there. “The shops along main street look like a postcard scene” … “That dessert tastes like grandma’s French silk pie” … “She reminds me of so-and-so.”
It’s no surprise, then, that God depicts Himself in various terms and likenesses. The human mind cannot comprehend His fullness, so He relates Himself to lesser concepts more easily grasped.
For example, Scripture paints God as a sun, a fountain, and a rock.
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” – Psalm 84:11
“For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light.” – Psalm 36:9
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:2
His qualities are displayed like those of a father or mother.
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.” – Psalm 103:13
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” – Isaiah 49:15
He is everything that provides, protects, and preserves.
“I am the bread of life … If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” – John 6:48, 51
“I am the door of the sheep … If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” – John 10:7, 9
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” – John 10:11
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” – John 15:1-2
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12
Indeed, “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
All of these combined still portray a mere fraction of God’s existence … yet they help people like me relate to their Maker.
As He Himself declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13).
Abby
You may wake up to a house full of children, wave at your neighbor on your way to the mailbox, or engage in casual conversation with the cashier at the store. With people all around, it is easy to understand how life is a social activity.
The need for companionship and communion is deep and age-old. God made human beings to be relational from the beginning. “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him’ … So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man He made into a woman and brought her to the man” (Genesis 2:18, 21-22).
Psalm 133 expresses the beauty of community: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”
The fellowship of brothers and sisters adopted into the family of God is far more than good company or mutual benefit. It is oneness in Christ.
“ … maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:3-6
The saints are called to love, forgive, and serve one another, all while edifying, exhorting, and encouraging one another in Christ.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16
This beautiful privilege and process requires the gathering of believers, both in large congregations and small groups, as well as one-on-one relationships.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:23-25
In my own life, I am abundantly blessed when I sense God’s presence among His people, receive wisdom from their lips, and take comfort in their faith in the Almighty.
I could never do life on my own, and praise God, I wasn’t made to.
Abby
Some people are always on the move. Perhaps they are Type A leaders with ambitions and agendas, extroverted personalities with schedules and plans, or rambunctious children with endless energy.
In some capacity, I can relate. On the one hand, my brain is constantly buzzing and sitting still is a challenge. On the other, I grow weary running to and fro and recognize my needs and limitations.
God is not like that, though. He is always on the move, never idle and never tired. He never sleeps, takes a break, or gets distracted. And the works He does are far from frivolous, thoughtless, or random.
In fact, the glory and goodness of God are all around for those with eyes to see. His mercy is over all; His presence saturates creation. The hand of God is neither unable or unwilling; rather, His strong arm is quick to act on behalf of His people and His Name.
“The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.” – Psalm 145:9
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” – Isaiah 6:3
“Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You.” – Jeremiah 32:17
Eyes of flesh, however, cannot perceive movements of Spirit. So God crucifies the flesh with its passions and desires, softening hearts of stone and restoring sight to blinded eyes.
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Galatians 5:24
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26
The human role is simply to seek God and cooperate with His Spirit.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8
The Healer is in the business of opening blinded eyes, whether physically, spiritually, or both.
“The Lord opens the eyes of the blind” (Psalm 146:8) and “the blind receive their sight” (Luke 7:22), for “I came into this world, that those who do not see may see” (John 9:39).
May my prayer today be one for every day—that God would uncloud my vision and graciously enable me to witness His power and majesty on display in every aspect and area of life.
For Jesus’ words still echo: “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17).
Abby
You may treasure something worth remembering, like a family recipe generations old, this week’s grocery list, or the sweet words of a friend. You pull it out or bring it up when you need it, no matter how many times you’ve done it before.
Similarly, believers from the dawn of time have cherished God’s promises—memorized faithfully, recited repeatedly, leaned on heavily—not merely for show, nor a matter of religious obligation, but the fruit of a bountiful relationship that necessitates complete dependence.
When the world shouts the opposite, the people of God stake their lives on God’s truth. When life overwhelms, they recall what God is like and what He can do. When times are precarious and outcomes uncertain, they seek refuge in the Almighty God.
He never fails.
Scripture’s hope-filled promises are for each of God’s children.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.” – Psalm 121:7
“Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you.” – Isaiah 46:4
Even in weakness and sinfulness, the grace of God shines fiercely and brightly to uplift and redeem.
“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.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Wisdom He gives freely. Kindness He shares generously.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints.” – Proverbs 2:6-8
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.” – Isaiah 48:17
Indeed, “The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that he has made” (Psalm 145:9).
“All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.” – Psalm 25:10
“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.” – Isaiah 30:18
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16
God, full of goodness, defends, directs, disciplines, answers, equips, helps, loves, heals, and saves. He fights for, makes a way for, and watches over His own, all while filling, protecting, strengthening, and teaching them.
How extravagant is His love!
Abby
The constant pressure, frequent chaos, and unrelenting nature of life has many people longing for quiet. If they could just steal a moment of silence, catch their breath for a second, or escape for a weekend, maybe they could feel restored.
For me, rest calls to mind the green pastures and still waters of Psalm 23, whose sweet, poetic words have ministered to my heart upon multiple occasions—not only crises of exhaustion and anxiety, but of temptation and tragedy, despair and delight—drawing me back yet again to the peaceful presence of Christ.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The truth is, my wandering heart needs a guide to navigate the terrain of life. My wondering mind needs a voice to unravel the doubt of opposition. And my vulnerable soul needs a guardian to tackle the perils of the journey.
What shepherd is equipped, but the Lord? What leader is able, but the Lord? What father is willing, but the Lord?
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out My sheep, and I will rescue them.” – Ezekiel 34:11-12
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep … I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me.” – John 10:11, 14
“For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” – 1 Peter 2:25
The Good Shepherd is gentle, lowly, and tender, yet mighty, fearsome, and accomplished. Not one of His sheep will slip out of His fold, stray from His sight, or be consumed by the enemy. Indeed, He is “the great shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20).
In His wisdom and grace, He knows His people need rest … protection … security … hope … and He provides it all, in abundance, through green pastures and dark valleys alike.
I need nothing, fear nothing, nor prove nothing because I am safe with the Shepherd. He’s got it covered.
Abby
Most people treat good friends much differently than strangers, rivals, or individuals they don’t care for. They are inclined to give willingly and freely to those they love, but reserve disapproval and disdain for those who reject them.
Such could be said regarding God’s favor toward the righteous and enmity toward the wicked. Who stands between is His beloved Son Jesus.
All were enemies of God, lost in sin, and without hope in the world (Romans 5:10, Ephesians 2:12). But when Christ broke down the dividing wall of hostility, the way was opened for those who believe to be reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:14-16). Evil still exists, but no longer prevails (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
Jesus graciously offers a choice—everlasting life instead of everlasting death.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” – Psalm 1
“Though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever … For behold, Your enemies, O Lord, shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered. But … The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar … They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright … there is no unrighteousness in Him.” – Psalm 92:7, 9, 12-15
God loves even those who turn from Him, desiring “all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Nevertheless, because of His holiness, “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness” (Proverbs 15:9).
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:12
In rich mercy, God preserves His own through Christ.
“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” – Psalm 37:25
“The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment” – 2 Peter 2:9
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” – Psalm 116:15
Jesus, friend of sinners, advocates for the one who was once an adversary to become a dearly adopted child of the King.
Abby
The pages of a journal, photos of an album, and conversations of a family tell stories. Every once in a while, you may peek back in time for the enchantment of reliving precious moments. Looking back isn’t always pleasurable, but it always provides perspective.
Reminiscing can be organized, like when a loved one passes away, or spontaneous, like when a song catches you by surprise on the radio. I tend toward nostalgia at key periods in my life, but lately I have been reflecting more intentionally, for no reason other than to remember what God has done and praise Him for it.
Psalm 77 expresses, “I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, ‘Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.’ Then my spirit made a diligent search … I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds” (5-6, 11-12).
Scripture’s frequent command is to consider God’s fullness and call to mind His work.
“You shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not … You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” – Deuteronmony 8:2, 18
“Forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psalm 103:2-5
When Jacob appealed to God at a critical time, he cast his gaze backward too. “I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love,” he confessed, “and all the faithfulness that You have shown to Your servant” (Genesis 32:10).
Indeed, the prophets not only confirm God’s faithfulness in the past, but affirm it in the future.
“You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as You have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.” – Micah 7:20
Never once has God changed. Never once has God failed. He is perfectly consistent, lovingly attentive, and eternally enthroned. Whether I revisit prayers from years past or laugh with family about days gone by, I am reminded of God’s steadfast love.
In the midst of trouble, on the brink of change, or on a very ordinary day, God’s presence (and memory of it) sustains me … until one day I will know in full and never be apart.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” – Psalm 23:6
Abby
The word “rock” likely ushers a thought to mind immediately. You may picture a pebble in a bubbling creek, a boulder on a cliff, or a mountainous cavern. A soundtrack might start streaming through your head as you drift back to the 80’s. Or, scenes of the infamous actor could forever mark your association with that term.
In the Bible, though, “rock” means something entirely different. Of course, there were literal stones, clefts, and caves, featured in several stories. But those were a mere representation of their Maker, the true Rock.
“For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?” – 2 Samuel 22:32
“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God.” – 1 Samuel 2:2
“The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He.” – Deuteronomy 32:4
Like a rock, God is steady, sturdy, unmoving and unchanging.
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:2
The Almighty is a proven, trustworthy foundation—the bedrock and cornerstone.
“He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.” – Psalm 62:5-7
“Hear my cry, O God, … Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” – Psalm 61:1-3
“Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” – Matthew 7:24-25
“Rock” is but one of endless reasons to praise the King.
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” – Psalm 95:1
“The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation” – 2 Samuel 22:47
The people of the wilderness witnessed it, and believers today get to as well.
“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
May the hearts of God’s people always be softened and sturdied upon the Rock.
Abby
There’s nothing quite like today. The day ahead cannot be guaranteed, and the day behind cannot be changed. Yesterday is in the books, tomorrow is on the horizon, but today is here right now.
And Scripture speaks a lot about today. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 19:2 adds, “Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.”
Each day is a gift from God, and “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).
Oftentimes I find myself regretting yesterday or dreading tomorrow … but God’s Spirit encourages me to focus on the moment at hand.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” – Isaiah 43:18
“Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:34
In the wilderness, God rained bread from heaven in an abundance of provision for His people. Yet He commanded them only to collect enough for one day, and in preparation for the day of rest, enough for two. Any extra would spoil, except on the Sabbath.
Still today, God moves in much the same fashion. He gives enough for today, and then promises that tomorrow He will again give enough for today.
Lamentations 3:22-23 proves, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Second Corinthians 12:9 affirms, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Hebrews 3:13 instructs, “Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
With each dawn come divine blessing, strength, and hope from above.
“Because of the tender mercy of our God … the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:78-79
“God is in the midst of [the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High]; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” – Psalm 46:5
“I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in Your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promise. Hear my voice according to Your steadfast love; O Lord, according to Your justice give me life.” – Psalm 119:147-149
Despite what tomorrow may or may not bring, today is an open book and ready offering. May it be lived for the praise, glory, and good pleasure of the God who made it!
Abby
A major aspect of human life involves memory. You may fondly reminisce over your childhood, intentionally recall a friend’s birthday, or suddenly remember you have an appointment. To remember is to revisit.
While recollection is often contrasted to forgetfulness, it does not always imply or require it. That is, what is remembered has not always been forgotten—memories tucked away, people passed on, holidays annually celebrated. My mind understands God’s remembrance in a similar way: continual, voluntary awareness.
God remembers His people, His promises, and His plans. He remembers not because it has somehow slipped His mind or gotten overlooked … but because His heart is set upon it.
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” – Isaiah 49:14-16
God remembered His people even in slavery and rebellion.
“God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” – Exodus 2:24
“Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David His servant, since He promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.” – 2 Kings 8:19
God treasures His people not only collectively, but intimately and individually. He remembered Noah when He flooded the earth (Genesis 8:1), Abraham when his nephew was in danger (Genesis 19:29), Rachel when she was barren (Genesis 30:22), and Hannah when she pleaded for a son (1 Samuel 1:19).
God upholds His love, favor, and restoration, despite humanity’s sinful forgetfulness, hopelessness, and carelessness.
“He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.” – Psalm 98:3
“He remembers His covenant forever, the word that He commanded, for a thousand generations.” – Psalm 105:8
“The Lord is gracious and merciful … He remembers His covenant forever.” – Psalm 111:4-5
God is most familiar, and most gracious, with man’s condition. As Psalm 103:14 says, “He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
From beginning to end, God has never forgotten the finest detail. “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world … He created man in His own image … [He made known] the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things that must soon take place” (Ephesians 1:4, Genesis 1:27, Revelation 1:1).
Without a doubt, He knows … and He remembers.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Abby