Hope Cannot and Will Not Disappoint Us

March 12, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Hope Cannot and Will Not Disappoint Us SCOTTY SMITH   “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.” Eph. 1:18   Heavenly Father, if a sheriff knocked at our door with a subpoena, we’d take it seriously. And today, like every day, the Gospel is knocking at our door, summoning us to hope—at the end of a pandemic, in the middle of a war, long before you wipe away every tear. As the “God of hope” (Rom. 15:13), you call us to hope as surely as you called us to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Hope isn’t valium to numb us, but a re-valuing of all things from the perspective of eternity. It’s not “pie in the sky,” but grace for this moment. Hope cannot and will not disappoint us (Rom. 5:5). So, open the eyes of our heart, and show us everything you want us to see. Replace our spiritual-astigmatism and faith-myopia with 20/20 vision. Let us see the end of this war, and grant us a peak of the Day when the entire earth (including Russia and the Ukraine) will be filled with your glory. Show us more of heaven’s current joys (Rev. 4-5), and the amazing-forever reserved for us when Jesus returns (Rev. 21:1-22:6). Especially, show us more of Jesus—the author and perfecter of our faith, our perfect righteousness and constant intercessor, the ruler of earth’s kings redeemer of all our sorrows. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

Channeling Our Anger into the Turbine of Compassion

March 11, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Channeling Our Anger into the Turbine of Compassion SCOTTY SMITH   “The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.” (Psalm 146:9); “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows” (Isa. 1:17).   Lord Jesus, help me, and others like me. It’s like I’m carrying a low-grade anger-fever that’s been simmering in my heart ever since Russia invaded Ukraine. It can quickly rise from 99.3 degrees to 103 with another war story and picture. It just happened again. 300 Jewish orphans had to flee their orphanage in Odessa because of nearby bombing. Jesus, I’m like your disciples who wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy those who wouldn’t welcome you (Luke 9:54). Their passion needed to be channeled in more redemptive ways. So does mine. I am grateful you will “bring to ruin the way of the wicked,” and I own my impatience for you to do so in Ukraine, soon and very soon. But until then and beyond, channel the rivers of my (our) anger—even hate, into the turbine of compassion and generosity. How can we best “protect foreigners, defend the oppressed, and take up the cause of orphans and widows”? We don’t want to be sentimental but strategic. We want to share the Gospel with our tears, love, deeds, and words. Jesus, open our hearts, “holdings” and hands. How are we to engage in this ever-growing humanitarian crisis? Neighbor-love is needed. Feeding and clothing the masses is the order of the day. Healing the broken-bodied and broken-hearted will be our calling for months, perhaps years. Empower us for out-loving and out-lasting all evil. So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

How to Pray “Against” an Evil Ruler

March 10, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH How to Pray "Against" an Evil Ruler SCOTTY SMITH “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Daniel 4:31-32   Heavenly Father, up till now I’ve struggled to pray the imprecatory Psalms—portions of your Word calling down harsh judgment on evil-makers and evil rulers (Psalms like 5, 6, 35, 69, 109). They seemed a bit self-righteous to me. I now realize that’s not the case at all. To pray “your Kingdom, your will be done on earth, as in heaven,” presupposes a love for righteousness, and a healthy portion of righteous indignation. Father, it’s all about your glory and honor, not our fiefdoms and comfort. Witnessing the atrocities, barbarism, and savagery in Ukraine—including the Russian bombing of a maternity ward and hospital—here’s my prayer on this March Thursday. Father, as you did with evil King Nebuchadnezzar, take away Putin’s authority and power. Drive him far away. Plant his face so low to the earth he eats grass like an ox and is drenched with dew (Dan. 4:33). Put an end to his evil-making against your image bearers and Jesus’ church, in Ukraine and Russia. Father, either bring him to yourself, put him down, or take him out. You are “sovereign over all kingdoms.” You alone are God, You alone are worthy of our adoration, affection, and allegiance. For your glory, in Jesus’ name, So Very Amen.     Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

Just As Your Father Is Merciful

March 9, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Just As Your Father Is Merciful SCOTTY SMITH “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Hebrews 13:2) “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Prov. 19:17) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)   Heavenly Father, when we finally gather in the new heaven and new earth, as one Big redeemed, every-nation family, it won’t surprise me if the first 1000 years are filled with a lot of connecting the “grace-dots.” and multiple story-celebrations. We’ll get to see how your hand and heart were always at work everywhere, in “mundane” and miraculous ways. Perhaps we’ll meet angels who came into our homes as despairing widows and fearful children. Maybe, we’ll meet villagers from another continent, who survived a wheat and grace famine, by the check we cut, the container that was sent, and the Gospel that was shared. Bread from the fields and Bread from heaven are both essential. No act of kindness is small. Compassion is never wasted, even if we don’t see an immediate return. Nothing done in response to the Gospel is insignificant. In Jesus’ name, no hour or year of hospitality is wasted. Father, we are most like you when we are merciful—in attitude and action. We pray for the heroic hospitality being extended on the border of Ukraine. Keep showing us our place in that story. But also, open our eyes and hearts to all the mercy-needs where we live. Most of us won’t blink an eye paying $6.00 or more for a gallon of gas. Many will be terrified, hungry, and cold. We don’t really “lend” anything to the One who owns everything. We need no other reward than knowing you, Father. So Very Amen.     Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

God’s Laugh, My Vengeance, Gospel-Generosity

March 8, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH God's Laugh, My Vengeance, Gospel-Generosity SCOTTY SMITH   “The Lord laughs at the wicked for he knows their day is coming.” Ps. 37:13   Heavenly Father, forgive my vindictive thoughts. I find myself relishing different ways there could be a “leadership change” in Russia. But vengeance belongs to you, not us. You’re not indifferent or unable to take care of such matters, for you “control the course of world events; you depose kings and set up others” (Dan 2:21). In a most sobering and profound way, you will get the “last laugh”—a laughter that fills the courts of heaven now, and echoes through the history of redemption. On the calendar of your holiness and grace, you have set the perfect date for the eradication of all wickedness and evil. You’re not slow in keeping your promise to bring judgment. You are merciful in keeping your commitment to redeem a family as numerous as stars, sand, and dust (2 Pet. 3:9). Thank you. In the coming hours, days, and months, free us to be way more preoccupied with vulnerable children and hungry stomachs in Ukraine, than rising gas prices and falling stock values in America. You don’t owe us an explanation of everything you’re up to in this international crisis. Father, just keep giving us tons of grace to respond with unceasing prayer, generous giving, and Gospel-courage (2 Cor. 8:1-9). Take our “little” prayers and mobilize legions of angels. Take our 5 pieces of bread and 2 fish and feed multitudes. Replace our fear with faith, our anger with love, and the odor of our self-interest with the aroma of your Kingdom. May Gospel-generosity go viral. So Very Amen.       Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

Loving Jesus with Food, Welcome, and a Bed

March 7, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Loving Jesus with Food, Welcome, and a Bed SCOTTY SMITH   “I (Jesus) was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in… Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt. 25:25-36, 40   Heavenly Father, no matter the nation into which we were born, we were in the far away land of sin and death when you rescued us, and brought us into the gracious country of your heart. We were foreigners to your mercies, strangers to your grace, and orphans without a Father—spiritual immigrants, exiles, and refugees. YET you had compassion on us, welcomed us, saved us, and adopted us into your family. We are citizens of heaven and earth, with a calling to love others as you love us in Jesus. Our Gospel-vocation of generous, sacrificial love has never been more now and needed. As the horrors of war continue to unfold in Ukraine, we have the privilege to love Jesus, by loving and serving those who are now homeless, helpless, and hapless. The issues are complex, the challenges are real, and the risks are many. But the Gospel is bigger and your love is deeper. Father, what CAN we do? Send supplies to churches in bordering countries, welcoming Ukrainians into their homes and hearts? Send money and supplies to believers inside Ukraine, caring for citizens unable to flee or remaining to defend?  Welcome Jesus (exiles/refugees) into our hearts and homes? Father, help us channel our fear and anger into acts of radical mercy and costly grace. So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe