These two lines are the turning point from my poem I Am Helped in the article From the Depths to the Heights. They really have intrigued my heart this month. Just what is this incense so sweet? Is it trust in the Lord? Is it the Lord Himself? Where does this incense come from? Where does it lead?
Author Archives: Karen Holland
Watchful Thanksgiving
After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. (Acts 16:23-26)
The Lords Delight
They spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them. (Numbers 14:7-9)
Lilies Dripping Liquid Myrrh
Serve the Lord with reverent awe and worshipful fear; rejoice and be in high spirits with trembling [lest you displease Him]. Kiss the Son [pay homage to Him in purity]; lest He be angry and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled. O blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him. (Psalm 2:11-12 AMP)
Take Off Your Shoes
“Earth is crammed with heaven,
And every bush is aflame with God
But only those who see, take off their shoes
The rest sit around it and pluck blackberries.” Elizabeth Browning
Clothed with Joy
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
Harp Songs in the Night
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night—A prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8)
Lift Up a Standard; A Standard of Praise
These different translations of the following verse caught my attention. The phrase ‘Lift up a standard or banner’ really stands out, especially in the Amplified Version. It seems that lifting a standard against the enemy puts the enemy to flight.
The Center of the Throne, the Lamb and the River of Life
After looking at the image of worship that John paints in Revelation 5, this phrase – ‘The Center of the Throne’ really caught my attention. The center of the throne is where God dwells, it’s where the slain Lamb stands, it’s where the praises of God’s people are directed and focused.
Desert Thirst
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland…I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. (Isaiah 43:19-21)