Sometimes the valley in between mountains can be a hard place to travel. We remember the joy and peace perhaps of the time just spent on the mountaintop but when we going through those times in the valley, where we are attacked by the enemy, we sometimes lose sight of the preserving and purposeful work of Jesus in our lives.
In between the baptism of Jesus found in John 3:13-17 and the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry found in John 4:12, in just 11 short verses, Jesus experiences the full on attack and temptation of Satan. Christ was hungry and tired and coming off what we might see as a spiritual mountain top experience.
The “in between” times in our lives can sometimes be periods of struggle and discouragement. But do not lose heart. He is faithful! He is our strength! The apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:18:
“The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”
We long for the joy of seeing the Lord work in our lives in those amazing times of blessing. But we must never forget that during those “in between” times in our lives, during every attack and time of struggle, the Lord promises to deliver and preserve us for His purposes and glory.
When you hear “eurythmics” you might, if you are of a certain age, recall that it is the name of a musical group. What you might not know is that it is also a method for teaching and reinforcing musical rhythm. According to the website Dictionary.com, eurythmics is also “the art of interpreting in bodily movements the rhythm of musical compositions: applied to a method invented by Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, a Swiss composer, aiming to develop the sense of rhythm and symmetry.” In more generic terms, eurythmics helps folks understand and develop rhythm.
Why on earth did would I bother looking that up? Well, today while watching the incredibly talented drummer at our church seamlessly and passionately play the beats that provided a steady tempo and emphasized the words and phrases of our worship song, a thought…more like a concept…went through my mind. First, I thought how awesome it is when the drummer plays a consistent, unrelenting rhythm and sets the pace of the song and keeps us in sync with the worship leader. At other times the drummer will build in volume and stroke so as to reinforce and drive home the power and meaning of the words being sung. At other times he sits silently so that the words alone have an opportunity to be heard and their emphasis allowed to settle on our hearts without interruption or distraction.
While I stood listening and being led in song, I started thinking that there is a part of our spiritual lives that is a constant presence; a personal presence that helps us to keep in sync with the Leader, to grow through steady faithful reminders; a wise comforter that provides spiritual understanding and emphasizes spiritual truths and that is always providing a spiritual rhythm…a heartbeat…in our lives. That personal, living presence is the Holy Spirit.
John writes in his gospel letter: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26)
Later he writes “…when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” (John 15:13-15)
The Holy Spirit teaches us and guides us in truth. His work in our lives helps us to understand the mind of God himself. Much like the drummer that helps to keep rhythm and provide emphasis, the Holy Spirit works in our lives to provide a constant presence and heartbeat of God in our lives. He works in our hearts and minds to disclose the truth of God and emphasize the areas in our lives that need to grow in understanding.
Praise God for the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another..." 