Out of the Depths

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; Psalm 130:1 (NIV)

I’m still learning ‘stuff’ from following Jesus from the Garden to Resurrection. I’ve been thinking of Thursday night and Saturday night of that week; how dark the night must have seemed. What a feeling of a-loneness!

I’ve had nights like those. Something terrible happens. A sickness, a death, sudden loss of job or divorce. The night closes in. The recording begins to play: “I’m the only one who has ever had to go through something like this in just this way.” “I have no one to turn to who really can understand and say what I need to hear.” “I am alone.” “My pastor (or my church friends or prayer partners) have never doubted God to help them.”

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
Psalm 10:1 (NIV)

There are two relevant questions for those with the ‘guts’ to ask. AND they are the infamous ‘why’ questions, aren’t they? And what has God said to me about ‘why’ questions? GOD IS BIG ENOUGH AND LOVING ENOUGH to answer my ‘why’ questions. He WILL answer them and the answer will be an answer for me. Some of the answers I have received for these questions from God include (but limited to…): “I am waiting for you to learn _____.” “I am here to dry your tears, Jody.” “I AM HERE.”

…[LORD] even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12 (NIV)

God is not put off by ANYTHING. He is not taken by surprise by any event in my life. God is not overwhelmed, confused, or at a loss for an answer or plan. Am I willing to listen? Am I willing to take a step in the direction of God’s leading even when I do not know where He is pointing me? Am I willing to follow Jesus through a dark night in my life?

I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies…
With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.
Psalm 18:1-3, 29 (NIV)

Faith. AND NOW before someone thinks that I throwing too many stars and butterflies around – let me be practical. MANY times I don’t START with faith assured – I speak my faith and keep speaking it until my spirit catches up! Sometimes I call a sister in God and ask her to pray with me. These are principles that I have been taught and heard in repetition from many extra-ordinary men and women of God – GET IN THE WORD! LISTEN! READ! STUDY! SOAK in the presence and essence of God and learn His words of life! Write them on your heart! That tiny seed of faith will grow roots and begin to bear fruit that is strong and life-giving! How ‘WOW’ is that moment when the words of faith become FAITH and I know I truly am not alone and that Jesus truly is my shepherd!

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet PRAISE him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:11 (NIV, emphasis mine)