Skip to main content

Today's Reflection

 "Man's eye is not single, he has ever a side glance towards his own honour, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way, that there may be room for God to be exalted; and this is the reason why He bringeth His people ofttimes into straits and difficulties, that, being made conscious of their own folly and weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majesty of God when He comes forth to work their deliverance."--Spurgeon

How true it is that we are so prideful that we put ourselves on an equal playing field with the God who created the heavens and the earth. We think we have the power to do so much. Yet we can do so little. Looking back I can see the hand of God moving in such GREAT and majestic ways. 

Last night I read my prayer journal from 2004. This was a really tough time in my life as a young adult, and I was brought so close to God during this time. My family had moved a 3 days journey away from me. I felt I had to break up with my boyfriend at the time, and cling to Jesus. I was considering a move across the continent to be closer to family. In my prayer journal, my prayers are all about calling out to God to make me long for Him and His word. My prayers were for comfort and direction. And all of the scriptures that I read and wrote down from my normal bible readings were filled with the answers to my prayers. In the moment I couldn't see how God was encouraging me, and literally speaking to me through His word, but looking back I see just how amazingly close he was.

"They who navigate little streams and shallow creeks, know but little of the God of tempests; but they who "do business in great waters," these see His "wonders in the deep." Among the huge Atlantic-waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road: it is this which has given you your experience of God's greatness and lovingkindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: your trials have been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as He did His servant Moses, that you might behold His glory as it passed by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight of affliction, you have been capacitated for the outshinings of His glory in His wonderful dealings with you."--Spurgeon

Throughout life I have oft been tossed in the great waters of the tempest. Tossed to-and-fro by the waves of Satan trying to destroy my family's life when my dad was in ministry. 11 schools in 13 years. Ten cross country moves to restart life all over again by the time I was 15. But through the storm we were protected. All six of us kept for Him. Held safe by the saviors hand. Kept for His glory to live to tell the story of His awesome goodness and greatness. 

Tossed to-and-fro by Satan's attacks of anxiety, and health concerns. But KEPT SAFE by the Restorers hand of healing and mercy. 

My Jesus has the power to keep His children safe in the palm of His hand. He who spoke and mountains were formed, who spoke and with His words the galaxies and milky way and stars and black holes and suns were created, who breathed and gave life to man. This God. He is my God, and He strengthens me. He upholds me. He keeps me safe. And not a hair can fall from my head apart from His will.

I praise you Jehovah. My God. My rock. You are good, and in You there is no darkness at all. Thank you for showing me your wonders. In you I continually trust.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Part 1

Burning eyes as I sip my coffee, foot to the gas peddle, I drive down the little mountain road toward the highway lined with apple trees. The day has been filled to the brim with teaching children, and my back seat is filled with tiny ones telling exciting stories. I poured this coffee freshly before I left our school room, as I knew that the thirty minute drive home would be everlasting. The taste of the darkly roasted beans and almond milk fills my mouth, warming my chills away. Red light. Slowing before turning onto the highway home, my white minivan stops to the oppressive light, lengthening my commute by 2 entire minutes. I just want to be at home. I want a fresh cup of coffee... I'll call Josh and ask him if he would mind taking a break at the home office to brew a fresh pot... That dear sweet husband... he's been taking care of me since we were 15 and 16 and so in love. No one knew then that 20 years would come and go, and that boy I talked to after school for endles...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Reflection on Sin

SIN It's a big word. The word sin makes us think about murderers, rapists, thieves... you know.. the big stuff. The stuff those people "bent" toward evil do... Those people you have always known with that wild and crazy look in their eye.  That neighbor kid who points his finger at you and then with crazy in his eye "shoots" the "gun" and blows it, and walks off.. You know the one... the kid who you are sure is going to grow up to have some problems socially because of his angry heart... The one kid you don't want your kid hanging out with because you are unsure of the character of that particular child. In fact you are pretty sure that kid is going to grow up to be some sort of bad guy. But what about the other stuff... The white lies... the little bit of gossip here and there... Neglecting to do the thing you know is right, and doing the wrong thing instead...  There is evil in all of our hearts, and it may feel small. Fa...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Shift

“The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located  will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing.   These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we  really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb  idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers.  For they are not the thing itself; they   are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.”  ―  C.S. Lewis ,  The Weight of Glory As humans we become obsessed with "What our life is supposed to look like". We imagine our lives will be beautiful and fragrant... and when it's not what we expected... we feel heart broken... or when it is more than what we could have hoped for... It's beauty becomes an idol... When our longings become self focused... the danger...
Post a Comment
Read more