These words leaped off the page at me, searing my heart with recognition. The impact of God's grace was so strong, I failed to write down the source of such wisdom; however, I know it's based on Matthew 7:13 & 14.
I'm on a narrow path. At times the trail has been so tangled and rocky that, but for the grace of God I would have lost my way. Each time I've fallen into the place of overwhelming despair, out from the darkness would shine a light--a lamp for my feet--to show me the way to go.
Jesus held the Light.
Jesus called to me over the rush of tears and said, "Child, I am here. Do not be afraid. Follow the sound of My voice."
Over the past four months we have suffered a son's attempted suicide, the very real threat of leukemia for a precious grandchild, unending unemployment, emergency food stamps, scandal and disgrace born of lying tongues. I have been broken. Crumpled. Shattered into a million pieces.
But never have I been left alone.
"Child, I am here. Do not be afraid. Follow the sound of My voice."
I'm learning to respond:
"For You are my lamp, O Lord;
The Lord shall enlighten my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect;
The Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect." ~ 2 Samuel 22:29-33
Jesus lifts the lamp high, illuminating the heavens above. And there...there in His beacon of light I recognize the Presence of God. He is with me, sheltering me, and casting His shadow over me, His child.
My darkness was His shadow all along. How could I ever forget how great is our God?
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Please don't miss the music video I'm featuring on the Morning Glory page today. It will stir your spirit and enlighten the eyes of your heart to grasp how great is our God. The video features Chris Tomlin and worship leaders from around the world singing with thousands of people, "How Great Is Our God". You'll hear it sung in different languages and see pictures of different nationalities and ethnic groups worshiping the Lord. I'm telling you, ya don't want to miss it!
Have you ever had a time when you saw a passage in the Bible and your first thought is, "I MUST read that!" but then you got distracted and didn't read it and then the next thing you know you are seeing it everywhere???? 2 Samuel 22 is that passage for me right now. And as I read the verses you posted here today, I know even more that there is a reason God wants me to read that chapter. Not sure what it is but I look forward to finding out. I love how God uses the lamp as a light for our path in His word. Don't you? What wonderful words you have printed today. Thank you so much for sharing Nan! Much Love, ~M :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, Marcie! I know exactly what you're talking about. How cool is that? Many times the Lord is sending a message to the entire Body of Christ in the same manner - He's giving each of us the same message for "such a time as this". God is so AWEsome. Love you!
DeleteI love that quote and the truth it reveals...He is all we can depend on...and He's all we need.
ReplyDeleteLove you and continuing to pray for you and your precious family,
v
Thank you for your prayers, Vonda. God is with us, amen? I believe we're standing on the edge of the Red Sea - it's gonna part any day now **grin** Love you!
DeleteHi Nan! How my heart breaks for you...you have been undergoing so much lately! You have so much strength to share that with all of us, and to show us how you cling to your faith and to the Father. What a witness you are!
ReplyDeleteI will keep praying for you and your family. We are dealing with unemployment too, which is no fun...but not along with all the other things happening in your life.
Hang in there my friend. I know you have support in your life, but know I am thinking of you too.
Peace,
Ceil
Ceil, you are so precious. Your heartfelt word mean so much to me. Thank you.
DeleteLoved this entry. The quote you start with, so true! This is the very message Christ has been bringing home to my family lately. Sometimes it seems to get so lonely... but Jesus wants to be our all in all.
ReplyDeleteI've realized how fragile human help is. Even the best-intentioned people don't get it right all the time, and their words at the height of our suffering seem hollow. So I'm coming to the Lord, utterly helpless before the Helper. I'm praying His light will shine over all the dark places of my soul and lead my walk.