Wendy Pope

When spring emerges from its winter cocoon we bear witness to the creative artistry of God.  The vibrant colors of blooming daffodils, azaleas, and tulips are breathtaking as they willingly succumb to the power of the sun. The luscious green grass blankets the once cold lifeless ground, sending an invitation to sit down for a picnic. The spring rain reminds us that He brings all things to life.

God indeed displays His artistry through creation, but perhaps His greatest work of art is displayed in the heart of His children. We can witness His design genius in the heart of His child, King David, the man God Himself described as “a man after my heart.” (Acts 13:22)

A year after David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered on the front line of battle, God sent Nathan to confront him with the sin. Upon hearing Nathan’s words, David repented of His sin and prayed a prayer of forgiveness. In this prayer he not only confessed his sin but asked God to use His creative artistry in his heart. “Create in me a new heart and renew a steadfast spirit in me. “  David asked. (Psalm 51:10)

Last year I studied and read Psalm 51 with fresh eyes in, I knew I wanted verse 10 to be my verse of focus in 2013. In studying the word create I learned the Hebrew word used in Psalm 51:10 is the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 1:1. Bara` (baw-raw) means to shape and fashion as from nothing. When we carry the weight of unconfessed sin like David, our life and heart can begin to feeling empty and formless much like the world in the beginning. God created new out of the empty and formless world and He will create new in the heart of his children upon confession of sin.

At that moment I decided to follow David’s example and invite the artistry of God into my heart each day.  It’s funny; before I started praying David’s create in me prayer I would pray a blanket “forgive me of my sins” prayer. Now, I feel a creative power cleansing the sin out so God can fashion and shape my heart into something new for the day He has planned for me. Praying this prayer each day forbids sin to hold on to me allowing me to live in the freedom His love offers.

What better time to invite God’s artistry into your heart than when He is displaying His creative brilliance all around as spring blooms.

Through true confession and repentance of sin the supernatural power of His Holy Spirit begins the shaping and fashioning of our new heart. What was lifeless can once again bloom. On the soil of the cold barren ground of a heart surrendered, he can bring forth new life. This life becomes attractive to the world and extends and invitation for the growth of the Kingdom of God.

Accompanying this new heart is an insatiable desire to please God. David speaks of it the remainder of Psalm 51. Like David, my new heart wants to please God by obeying His Word and telling others of His grace.

Start every spring day in a new way:

• Invite God to create a new heart in you.
• Confession and repent of sin His Spirit brings to mind.
• Read His Word. Allow it to shape your life.
• Tell others about the artistry of God.

My experience has taught me starting every spring day in this way will create such a positive change you will want to start every day of every season in the same way.

“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” Exodus 17:12 (NIV)

Someone very dear to me is in the fight of her life … she’s wrestling with her belief in God and searching to know with certainty that Scripture is true. She’s fighting for her faith. Watching from the sidelines is difficult to endure for me. But the battle is one that only she can combat.

I love her so much and want to jump in the ring with my fighting gloves and slay the enemy. As one who came out victorious from the same struggle of my own, I long to bottle the knowledge I learned and give it to her. Handing my wisdom and faith to her would surely spare her the agony associated with a fight for faith in the Lord.

Watching the conflict as a bystander is arduous. But while I watch, I pray. And through prayer I am reminded of two men in the Bible who stood by their friend Moses in battle.

Moses sent Joshua into battle to fight an army of their enemies. While Joshua and the men waged war, Moses stood on top of the mountain holding his staff over the valley. Joshua and his men were victorious as long as Moses held the staff up. When Moses lowered the staff, their enemies gained on them.

Moses’ friends, Aaron and Hur, followed him up the mountain. They saw the pressure and agony Moses experienced as he held the staff. With compassion, these men pushed a large rock under Moses for him to rest upon. Then, in a selfless act of love and friendship, they each held up one of Moses’ arms as he held the staff high.

They could not hold the staff for Moses but they could stand with him through the long battle.

They filled in the gap created by Moses’ weakness with the strength of their faith.

This story challenged me to change my position from a bystander to that of a gap-stander. A bystander is an onlooker who watches, but does not to get involved.

A gap-stander has empathy and takes action, using the strength of her faith to help the fighter stand until victory comes. A gap-stander is someone the one in battle can lean on.

Are you watching someone you care about fight for faith, whether in God, for healing, restoration of a marriage, or something else? Do you feel helpless?

We cannot give our faith to our loved ones or fight for them, but we can stand with them and support them as they fight to have their own faith.

The job of the gap-stander isn’t easy, but it is a place of honor. Gap-standers are committed to encouragement, prayer, and spiritual and practical support. As we watch the battle rage, we also share in and observe God’s great work and their victory. Who can you stand in the gap for today?

Dear Lord, someone I love is fighting and is tired. Will You show me how I can help? I choose to change positions from a bystander to a gap-stander. Help me have patience and be compassionate as I stand in the gap. I praise You for the victory that awaits for my loved one. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.