This week I slid down the side of a volcano that poured out lava as recently as 2021. Twenty years ago the mountain blew its top and launched so much ash into the air it shut down the national airport for several days. Not exactly stable.

Then an article I saw recently describing Roman building materials popped to mind. In many places, ancient concrete still holds together. In use for 2,000 years, the structures are sound and studied by materials scientists today.

Now that’s steadfast.

We learn this about God’s love in the psalms: Your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

God’s love for us remains steadfast—firm, immovable and unwavering. In the case of God’s love, steadfast lasts forever. No chance of blowing its top at the most unfortunate time.

I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable living at the base of a volcano, at least one that erupts every quarter-century or so. But I can rest in the steadfast comfort of God’s love, regardless of where I lay my head at night.

Psalm 108 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Alain Bonnardeaux

I sat in Antigua, Guatemala at the end of our trip with Filter of Hope and came across this in the psalms—The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

This beautiful country belongs to the Lord. We fly home tomorrow to Colorado, which also belongs to the Lord. Every person I meet here and along the way belongs to the Lord.

All I claim to own belongs to the Lord. All the richest in our world possess and gaze upon with pride actually belongs to the Lord, as well as the pennies grasped by the poorest beggar. I may forget, but that doesn’t change the truth. I am not my own.

In reality I am a steward, an important position as I care for the good things the Lord placed under my watch. This goes for the earth and the world around me, as well as those people within my orbit. I hope to help them flourish, enjoy good health, strong relationships, and move closer to the Lord.

This past week stewardship consisted of converting contaminated water to clean. But it also involved opening eyes in fresh ways to the founder of all things.

Because a good steward always points to the owner.

Psalm 24 in reading the Bible in 2023

Ever been shocked at good fortune? Like a check in the mail or a promotion out of the blue? Joseph got promoted like no one else.

One morning waking up a slave in a dungeon, and by nightfall ruling as the most powerful person in Egypt (after Pharaoh). Even then Joseph had to borrow a bedroom. As if a forgotten prisoner in a supermax prison is released, jetted to the White House and granted sweeping emergency powers over the land.

A stunning rise to power.

Who stood behind this reversal of fortune? The Lord, of course. The psalmist wrote: The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hands of the Lord; He turns it wherever he wishes (Proverbs 21:1).

In this case the Lord turned Pharaoh’s heart toward Joseph, and in turn blessed Joseph’s family and generations to follow. All the way down to you and me.

Don’t give up. You and I may feel stuck in a pit. But God works beyond our view, to rescue and to provide.

Hang in and keep the faith.

Genesis 41 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Juskteez Vu

I underestimate the worth of clean drinking water. At my tap, water free of disease-causing bacteria waits for my cup. I’ve lived my entire life with no concern for the water I drink.

Not the case for much of the world. Many people drink dirty water every day. Children suffer from diarrhea, endure constant stomach aches and die from bad water. Older people deal with intestinal ailments and shortened lives. This water crisis exists outside my view, and so I miss the scope of suffering.

Today I’m with a group in Guatemala confronting dirty water. We’re working with Filter of Hope, an organization that believes:

No one should have to live without clean drinking water.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to know Christ personally.

Thirsty, Jesus encountered a women at a well. He asked her for a drink of water, then went on to say, if you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

People everywhere deserve clean water to drink and living water leading to eternal life. In working with Filter of Hope we attempt to provide both.

Please join me in praying for these efforts to bring both fresh water and eternal life to thirsty people around the world.