Finding God's Presence ~ Your Light Shall Break Forth

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

I pulled my jacket tighter around my face to ward off the chill. The meandering path led through a forest glen. Beauty surrounded me with leaves of burnished gold, persimmon, and burgundy velvet. The trail led into a valley deep with underbrush. The forest canopy grew thicker, preventing the sunlight's penetration. Dark, ominous shadows teased me with their lurking plan of demise. Briars stretched their thorny fingers across the ground beneath me, catching my jeans, causing me to stumble.

Fear called to me. I resisted, knowing I was not alone. Lord, I know You are with me, but where? I can't see You ... Lord?

My heart raced as the valley grew darker and the path succumbed to thorns and stones. My legs grew weak with fright and uncertainty. Out of the shadows came the sound of heavy breathing. Snorting. A bewitching howl sounded in the near distance. Screaming, I ran tearing my way through the underbrush.

I jerked awake, sitting upright in bed. My eyes darted around the room seeking orientation. My reality was not reality at all. It was a nightmare of epic proportions.

Or perhaps the nightmare was my reality. The reality of my spirit dimmed and frightened by the enemy's assault.

I lay my head against the pillow. A moonbeam streamed in through the bedroom window, illuminating the space around me - illuminating the space around my heart. I pulled the blanket of red up under my chin and willed the thumping in my chest to settle. The Presence of the Lord embraced me with His love. I was no longer afraid nor lost in the foreboding shadows that had fallen across my path.

Lord, how do I go forward? I want to glorify You in my life, not live in fear of the shadows hiding the briars and thorns that cause me to stumble. I want to please You, to walk with purpose and not be afraid.

This is how He responded:

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?

"Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say 'Here I am.'" ~ Isaiah 58:6-9

The Lord is my Light and my salvation. I need not be afraid. And neither do you. He illuminates our darkness with the light of His Presence seeping into the emptiness of our broken places. Before our prayer escapes our lips He answers, "Here I am."

As we cling to the hand of Almighty God, rising to greet Him with thanksgiving in our hearts, our healing will spring forth, the shadows will flee.

Selah 

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A Tweetable to Encourage Others

God, where is Your Light in my darkness? @NanJonesAuthor offers answers. (Click to Tweet)



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