Good morning -
The brightest insights often come during the darkest hours. And perhaps those insights seem especially bright because they come against the dark backdrop of difficult circumstances. Such was the insight that came to Jeremiah against the backdrop of Israel's darkest hour:
"The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he should bear The yoke in his youth." (Lamentations 3:22-27)
It is in our darkest moments that we most fully realize the unceasing lovingkindness and unfailing compassion of the Lord. In the dark times of difficulty new days easily invoke dread and fear, but it is in those times that we are most aware of the freshness of God's compassion and love. With keen realism we can declare, "Great is Your faithfulness!"
The Lord reserves His richest blessings for those who wait silently upon Him in the difficult days. It is when we come to the end of personal abilities, financial resources, and medical solutions that we stand ready to rely solely upon the Lord JHWH. As we wait in silence for the One who alone can help it is then that we find our greatest help and strength. And the earlier in life we learn these lessons, the better.
Adversity comes in many forms. Sometimes it comes in the obvious form of outward circumstances - health issues, financial hardships, family or marital problems. Sometimes adversity is hidden but just as real - depression, loneliness, self-doubt, anxiety. Whatever form it takes, Jeremiah's discovery remains true: our Father's lovingkindness and compassion are constants. Those who have waited silently in faith amidst the pain can strongly testify to this truth.
The most human reaction to any pain is to seek relief from it (our pill-filled medicine cabinets are ample evidence). Yet the very thing we often seek to escape is many times the pathway to our richest growth and blessings. There is a great commonality between God's people of faith and difficult circumstances (Hebrews 11). This particular path to spiritual strength and character is one that few desire or would choose.
The brightest insights do come during the darkest hours. Savor the bright insights if this is a personal dark hour, and don't let the brightness of good times hide the insights that shine so bright in the darkness.
Seeking to hold on to the insights regardless of the times,
Pastor Steve
The brightest insights often come during the darkest hours. And perhaps those insights seem especially bright because they come against the dark backdrop of difficult circumstances. Such was the insight that came to Jeremiah against the backdrop of Israel's darkest hour:
"The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he should bear The yoke in his youth." (Lamentations 3:22-27)
It is in our darkest moments that we most fully realize the unceasing lovingkindness and unfailing compassion of the Lord. In the dark times of difficulty new days easily invoke dread and fear, but it is in those times that we are most aware of the freshness of God's compassion and love. With keen realism we can declare, "Great is Your faithfulness!"
The Lord reserves His richest blessings for those who wait silently upon Him in the difficult days. It is when we come to the end of personal abilities, financial resources, and medical solutions that we stand ready to rely solely upon the Lord JHWH. As we wait in silence for the One who alone can help it is then that we find our greatest help and strength. And the earlier in life we learn these lessons, the better.
Adversity comes in many forms. Sometimes it comes in the obvious form of outward circumstances - health issues, financial hardships, family or marital problems. Sometimes adversity is hidden but just as real - depression, loneliness, self-doubt, anxiety. Whatever form it takes, Jeremiah's discovery remains true: our Father's lovingkindness and compassion are constants. Those who have waited silently in faith amidst the pain can strongly testify to this truth.
The most human reaction to any pain is to seek relief from it (our pill-filled medicine cabinets are ample evidence). Yet the very thing we often seek to escape is many times the pathway to our richest growth and blessings. There is a great commonality between God's people of faith and difficult circumstances (Hebrews 11). This particular path to spiritual strength and character is one that few desire or would choose.
The brightest insights do come during the darkest hours. Savor the bright insights if this is a personal dark hour, and don't let the brightness of good times hide the insights that shine so bright in the darkness.
Seeking to hold on to the insights regardless of the times,
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 10:11 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home