“… establish the work of our hands …”
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon
us; establish the work of our hands for us–
yes, establish the work of our hands.
(Psalm 90:17; NIV. Please read Psalms 87-90.)
These are the words of God from the heart of Moses.
When Moses was a young man, he witnessed “up close and personal” the work of Pharoah’s hand … the kingdom of Egypt, a world power - majestic buildings - extensive riches.
After 40 years away from the seat of Egypt’s power Moses returns to wrest God’s people from Pharoah and to establish the purpose of God for His people. He becomes their shepherd, leading them out of Egypt … their lawgiver, bringing the Commandments from God to them … their architect, revealing God’s blueprints for the tabernacle.
Moses spent 40 years of life, working with God to establish His Kingdom … to prepare His people to become what God claimed of them - a royal priesthood - a holy nation - a people of God’s own possession.
No wonder Moses sang this son … no wonder he prayed this prayer.
I remember a small group of teenagers in Olton, Texas … who let me practice my teaching on them. They welcomed all races into their “la familia” and found the time and energy to knock every door in town 4 times in one year, so that ”every living creature” would have a chance to hear the gospel. I pray God to establish what remains.
I remember another group of teenagers in Dayton, Ohio … who accepted my Texas accent and taught me about “fellowship”. They proved the truth of Jesus’ words, when He called His disciples to devote themselves to the Word - the Body - the Lost. “The Bunch” changed my life and ministry forever. I pray God to establish what remains.
I remember a larger group of teenagers in Lubbock, Texas … who ”bucked” the trend of an entertainment ministry and became passionate about their study of the Word - about their love for each other - about their opportunities to teach across the street and down the road. They were a ”net-breaking boat-sinking” source of amazement to me. I pray God to establish what remains.
I remember the young men and women from all over the world … who came to Lubbock, so they could learn the Word - learn to share the Word across the street and around the world. Hundreds came … hundreds still aim to preach the gospel. They not only change the world - they change eternity. I pray God to establish what remains.
I remember my favorite church in Canadian, Texas … who supported me - loved me - wanted me to live and work with them. I watched God turn a “clannish” church into a kingdom of believers with a worldwide influence. I betrayed their trust and left people damaged (probably for the rest of their lives), but I pray God to establish what remains.
I live among and serve with a fellowship of prodigals … who have welcomed me home and stand with me to welcome any and all other sinners to a place OPENed by God, where bruised and broken people can rest and heal. We have more stained carpet than stained glass … no official sign - no official preacher … no clock - no one to “count” attendance, but I have never seen a church of Christ be such a church like Christ. I pray God to establish what remains.
Would you pray with me - for me - too?
ON SECOND THOUGHT: Another stanza I would lay up in my heart is Psalm 87:5-6, “Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.” 6 The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.” In spite of what I have done with and in my life … in spite of the shameful and unworthy things … please let it me be said of me: “By the grace and love of the Father of mercy, Rex, too, was born in Zion!” (May I rest there, as well, for all eternity.) Please sing this with me … pray this for me.
May 1, 2008 at 7:09 am
Good Morning. I just read My Daily Bread. I have to tell you that no one should be damaged by anyone else’s sin. If we put our trust in God and not in man, then we are not in danger. Your own birth family was not damaged by you or me by sin. We hurt for you, and we prayed God would take away your pain - but damaged by you - NEVER. WE all need to let God lead us and not judge others by our own opinions and beliefs. Besides all that you are my favorite third son, and you are just marvelous!
Even when I felt my worst - ashamed of what I had done - you never made me feel that you were ashamed of me. You are the marvelous one - my sweet mother. fts
May 1, 2008 at 10:24 am
I remember being old enough that I was finally allowed to go to church camp in the summer. Most of the people went to Pine Springs, but one of our members had a son that was very involved with White River. So a few of us got to go there instead. I do not really have any memories of that year, but I remember I heard a man named Rex speak. He talked about God and was funny. I was immediately interested in what he had to say.
A short time after that Rex was speaking in Seminole, TX … I had written him a letter or two and wanted to actually meet him. My youth minister took us on Sunday night and then I made my mother drive me on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I loved the way he talked about Jesus … he could be so funny … so practical and easy to understand. I felt like I could understand the God he was talking about.
Many years later I AIMed to preach the gospel and was once again able to study with Rex. He showed me what it meant to be like Jesus … and taught me that it was ENOUGH to be like Jesus. A lesson I still cling to.
Many, many years later I lay bruised and broken in need of physical, emotional, and spiritual help. Another prodigal acting as a good samaritan … loaded me and up and brought me to a place where I could rest and heal. I never would have imagined that I would be in this place at this time. Working alongside the man that taught me most of what I know about my Savior.
You, Rex, allowed God to use you all over the world … all over my world … setting in motion works that have been blessed by Him. You were brought into my life early on to begin establishing a work that is just now realizing its purpose. I pray God to establish what remains.
May 1, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I love the thought of “the favor of the Lord”. When I think of favor I think of something along the line of a special act of kindness. As in “do me a favor”…But the word can also mean having special priveleges. Either one of those..with God…fantastic! The favor of the Lord resting on us…ahhhh.
I think that the Lord has done great favors for me through my life. We moved to Sudan…I met a lot of wonderful people…one family named Boyles. Got to hear Rex speak on lots of occassions. Then God blessed me by letting me come to Lubbock Christian College…and I got to attend church with Rex and have him as a teacher up in the flag room. Then despite my sins and shame…God brought me to a place where I could rest and find my way back home…with much help from my dear friend Rex, who teaches me (as he always has) in a way that lets me see the real Jesus. Thank you Rex..and thank you God for Rex. God kept me safe and alive through my away days, kept my kids safe…delivered us from a bad place. And He continues to heal my heart with His grace, mercy and favor. I pray God to establish what remains.