In the in between, when everyday life happens;
And the fields of green, belong to someone else.
In the in between, of what will be and what has been,
Jesus is a faithful friend, in the in between.
As He was and He is and He will always will be,
Close beside and holding on to me...
He's the gracious Lord of the in between,
Where everyday life happens.
When times of crisis come, our eyes turn upward and we immediately cry out to God seeking His help and guidance. When blessings rain down on us and we see the Lord work in miraculous ways to meet our needs, our eyes turn upward and we immediately thank Him for His mighty care and provision. But what about the days that are just normal, the days that seem to blur into each, other as we toil through the drudgery of everyday responsibilities? We often forget that the same great God that was with us in the overwhelming valley or on the lofty mountain top is still right beside us. Ordinary life, our in between time, can become extraordinary if we remember God is still by our side.
God rewards faithfulness. Sometimes we think that faithfulness requires us to do fantastic things; but everyday life, when lived in faith is fantastic! We don't need drum rolls, flashing lights and raining confetti to live victoriously in the in between, we just need faith. Faith to keep going when things seem mundane, faith to see the beauty in the housework that needs completed, faith to see the preciousness of the crying child, the piled up work at the office, the times when the month is longer then the money. The in between can be a time in which we glorify our Heavenly Father for His faithfulness to us!
In Proverbs chapter 31 we read about the virtuous woman. From verse 10 to 31 we read about her in between time! This is everyday life for this woman, yet she lived it with a faithfulness to God, to her family and to her responsibilities. These verses describe her busy days, being a faithful wife, taking care of her household, working in the fields, making clothes for her family, helping those less fortunate, advising and encouraging others.
Proverbs 31:29 - 31 "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
She was faithful in the in between time; the verse said that she would be praised for fearing the Lord. Her in between time brought glory to the Lord. How are we doing in our in between time? Are we bringing glory to the Lord with our actions and attitudes? Or are we known for being a complaining, bitter, angry person, discontent with our lives and envious of others good fortune? God's loving hand is guiding and working for our good in the in between, we just often choose to ignore it because we want the rush from the mountain top experiences. I've learned that you can't really appreciate the mountain tops if you haven't been in the valleys; and you usually don't see the blessings of the valleys until you've come through them. The in between can be a time of great blessing in your life if you use it to focus on what God has done for you on the mountain top and in the valleys of your life. It's a reflection time, and can be a time of growth if you don't let self get in the way.
Wisely use the in between times in your life to remember the great and mighty things the Lord has done for you. Use this time to remember God's faithfulness, guidance, love, mercy and grace in your life.
Psalms 34:22 "The LORD redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate."
Psalms 36:7 "How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings."
Psalms 37:39 "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble."
Psalms 48:14 "For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death."
This is just a few of the many verses I have underlined in the Psalms about the love, care and mercy of our wonderful Lord. These are the things that should be filling our minds in the day to day activities of the in between. Yes, His power, glory and strength are shouted from the mountain top in the time of miracles; and His comfort, guidance and mercy are proclaimed throughout the valleys. But don't forget that His faithfulness, grace and love should be shared to all in the in between times. If your heart is fixed on God at all times, then His praise will continually be on your lips, even in the in between!
Psalms 57: 7 - 11 "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto Thee among the nations. For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens and Thy truth unto the clouds. Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let Thy glory be above all the earth."
Our faithfulness in the in between will be a testimony to those who we come into contact with. Our day to day lives should be lived with a consistent sweet surrender and trust in our Lord. We should be a living, breathing witness of the love and faithfulness of our Savior.
1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Also, when we are walking a life pleasing to the Lord in the in between, our lives will be a sweet offering to Him. Bringing our repentant heart to Him will result in our thankfulness for His goodness to us, it is an offering to the Almighty God of our Salvation.
Psalms 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise."
Hebrews 13:15 & 16 "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
So how are you doing in your in between? Make sure your eyes are as much on God as they are when you're on the mountain or in the valley. Remember, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, for He is a faithful friend in the in between.
In Proverbs chapter 31 we read about the virtuous woman. From verse 10 to 31 we read about her in between time! This is everyday life for this woman, yet she lived it with a faithfulness to God, to her family and to her responsibilities. These verses describe her busy days, being a faithful wife, taking care of her household, working in the fields, making clothes for her family, helping those less fortunate, advising and encouraging others.
Proverbs 31:29 - 31 "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
She was faithful in the in between time; the verse said that she would be praised for fearing the Lord. Her in between time brought glory to the Lord. How are we doing in our in between time? Are we bringing glory to the Lord with our actions and attitudes? Or are we known for being a complaining, bitter, angry person, discontent with our lives and envious of others good fortune? God's loving hand is guiding and working for our good in the in between, we just often choose to ignore it because we want the rush from the mountain top experiences. I've learned that you can't really appreciate the mountain tops if you haven't been in the valleys; and you usually don't see the blessings of the valleys until you've come through them. The in between can be a time of great blessing in your life if you use it to focus on what God has done for you on the mountain top and in the valleys of your life. It's a reflection time, and can be a time of growth if you don't let self get in the way.
Wisely use the in between times in your life to remember the great and mighty things the Lord has done for you. Use this time to remember God's faithfulness, guidance, love, mercy and grace in your life.
Psalms 34:22 "The LORD redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate."
Psalms 36:7 "How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings."
Psalms 37:39 "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble."
Psalms 48:14 "For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death."
This is just a few of the many verses I have underlined in the Psalms about the love, care and mercy of our wonderful Lord. These are the things that should be filling our minds in the day to day activities of the in between. Yes, His power, glory and strength are shouted from the mountain top in the time of miracles; and His comfort, guidance and mercy are proclaimed throughout the valleys. But don't forget that His faithfulness, grace and love should be shared to all in the in between times. If your heart is fixed on God at all times, then His praise will continually be on your lips, even in the in between!
Psalms 57: 7 - 11 "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto Thee among the nations. For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens and Thy truth unto the clouds. Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let Thy glory be above all the earth."
Our faithfulness in the in between will be a testimony to those who we come into contact with. Our day to day lives should be lived with a consistent sweet surrender and trust in our Lord. We should be a living, breathing witness of the love and faithfulness of our Savior.
1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Also, when we are walking a life pleasing to the Lord in the in between, our lives will be a sweet offering to Him. Bringing our repentant heart to Him will result in our thankfulness for His goodness to us, it is an offering to the Almighty God of our Salvation.
Psalms 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise."
Hebrews 13:15 & 16 "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
So how are you doing in your in between? Make sure your eyes are as much on God as they are when you're on the mountain or in the valley. Remember, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, for He is a faithful friend in the in between.
Jesus, Jesus, keep my eyes fixed on You;
Jesus, Jesus, please control all I do.
When others look at me, let them see Your loving face;
Jesus, Jesus, I give You first place.
Jesus, Jesus, keep my mind fixed on You;
Jesus, Jesus, please make all my thoughts new.
When others look at me, let them know I am Your own;
Jesus, Jesus, I bow at Your throne.
Ron Hamilton
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