Revelation: Remember Who is Strongest

Posted on April 21, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals. I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?” No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look in it. And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look in it. One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals.”           Revelation 5:1-5 (WEB)

I was watching a special on PBS the other night about Haiti. There were pictures and videos of the first days. The people as they walked around, numb with shock and grief at what had happened. I remember the pictures of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. 1800 people were killed in the New Orleans hurricane. 100,000 or more were killed in Haiti. The devastation is unimaginable in my mind. This past week a man I know, husband, father, grandfather, and hero, was killed in a plane crash during a routine training mission. He was planning to retire in the next year. Where was the strong, mighty Lord that I know in all these situations? Right there.

Jesus said that in this world, in this life, I would have suffering. (John 16) He flat out told me that there will be times that life just – well, life will be hard and painful. He also said that He has (already done) overcome the world. In the midst of death, disease, and situations that I cannot understand, my Lord is the only One with answers. He is the One who has overcome death and given eternal life as a free gift!

There are ‘seals’ in my life that seem too strong to be broken. That is a lie. Jesus can break any ‘lie seal’ or ‘sin seal’ that tries to lock me down. It is for me to turn to Him first and ask Him to Break It Open!

I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”

I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen.”

The four living creatures said, “Amen!” The elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:11-14 (WEB)

I do not begin to understand chapters 6-11. Yet. I will continue to read it. Let it percolate in my mind and spirit. God may reveal what He wants me to know about it. Right now, I know that having an encounter with my infinite God takes my finite mind to a place that stretches me! It is when we meet Spirit to spirit that I know a little more about the depth of His love and the expanse of His power.

Enjoy reading chapters 6-11. They are better than any blockbuster movie with special effects!

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Revelation: Remember the 7

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

“Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter; 1:20 the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies[churches]. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies[churches].”     Revelation 1:19-20 (WEB, my paraphrase)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies[churches].”      Revelation 2:7, 11, 17,29, and 3:6, 13, 22

It would be good to read Revelation 2 and 3 for yourself, even if it is very familiar, to refresh and receive what God has for you in His words to the seven churches. He had a lot for me that will be my life time to consider and be obedient.

Ephesus – God is pleased with the use of His gift of discernment. The church has drawn the line on wickedness and tested those who come with the right words on their lips but yet have their own agendas and manipulation in their hearts. These hypocrites have been rejected. They also “hated those that the LORD hated”, the Nicolaitans. Why hate them? That is not historically clear. The most common possibility is that they compromised and said, “it’s ok”, allowing them to live their lives on both sides of the fence. Sound familiar? Jesus spoke about this problem before He died and rose. (Matthew 7) Now He is coming through with the word hate. He hates it when I point my finger and judge that someone else is becoming a part of this world and not living a holy life – and totally ignoring the plank of sin in my own life. But Ephesus had one major flaw of sin. They forgot. They forgot how much they loved the One who saved them. The One who was everything…their First Love.

Smyrna – It is this church that I have come to wonder if I have been led to this fellowship. Jesus says He knows their suffering and poverty but instead of giving them some news that it will soon be over or they will receive their reward – He tells them to “Hang in there because there is more coming!” It is news that I do not always want to hear: that my reward is not here and not soon – but it is eternal!

Pergamum – Jesus says He knows that this church has stayed true to their faith in Him but some are also proclaiming faith in others. Our Lord is jealous. He does not tolerate a divided heart. We can love Him and someone or something else equally.

Thyatira – Jesus again warns me about the insidious seduction of the enemy. I can have strong faith, love the Lord, and serve Him. My mistake is when I think I have “arrived” as a Christian. It is then that I can easily slip on that tiny banana peel of sin when I skip prayer or miss Bible study or think that I can somehow make it through without staying connected to my Lord.

Sardis – Wake up! There was a time in my spiritual life when I could stand in church, sing the hymns, recite the Apostle’s Creed, and make out a mental grocery list at the same time! My spiritual life was dead. Words, music, obediently fulfilling commands can be as cold and dead as any corpse. Jesus warns that life with Him is “living and active”. My relationship with Him must grow. Change. The good news and … difficult news of any relationship.

Philadelphia – Here is a church that Jesus encourages and reminds them how He is faithful in His power and commitment to those who believe in Him. Life may get worse, much worse, but Jesus has “overcome the world”. (John 16) I must ask Him to develop my spiritual eyes so that see past what my human eyes believe. I stand on His promises.

Laodicea – The well-known lukewarm church is chastised that their faith isn’t even cold much less hot! A relationship with God means nothing when my focus is on the “I”. I see my successes and life as all that I really need and all that really matters. God is “out there” and “sometime when I get old”. God falls low on the priority list. “Low” is anything not first place! It is when I realize my weakness and nothing-ness that I become rich. My Lord is my Bridegroom who wants to keep me safe and lead me into the richness of our relationship. Yes, discipline is involved in His love for me because He knows my rebellious heart. He is teaching me to listen and obey so that I do have ears to hear what the Spirit says.

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“Tell Me A Story, Mommy/Daddy!”

Posted on April 16, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

1(A Wisdom Song by Asaph)
Open your ears to my instruction, turn your ears toward the the words I speak.
2I will open my mouth in a teaching song.
I will speak hard sayings from ancient times.
3Words which we have heard and known, and our ancestors have told us.
4We will not hide them from their children, speaking YHWH’s praises to a later generation,
His strength, and the wonderful things he has done.
5And he raised a testimony in Jacob, and set instruction in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors
to teach to their children.
6So that the later generation might know, the children who would be born would rise up, and teach them to their children.
7That they might set their hope in God, and might not forget his mighty deeds, But observe his commands.        Psalm 78:1-7 (HN)

– Henry Neufeld

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. I think it says something about the nature of our faith as Christians. Ours is supposed to be a generational faith—a faith that propagates through generation after generation.

One of the major problems that Israel had as a nation was that it had great difficulties keeping the faith true through multiple generations. If you read the story of Israel and Judah in First and Second Kings you will find that in Judah there were occasional good kings, but only very rarely did a good king succeed another good king. In Israel there were occasional partial reforms, but things always began to deteriorate again quickly.

There are many congregations in the American church that are “graying.” What is meant by this is that the congregation is growing older, but there are no new members coming in to fill the spaces of those who pass on. As a result, whole congregations that were once vibrant, with full life, pass slowly into obscurity. No renewal of the lifeblood of the congregation results in congregational death. In other churches, it’s an accepted fact of life that college age young people will leave the church for some time, and then probably return when they have children they want to raise in the church.

Generations can be physical or spiritual. We need to tell our faith stories to people with whom we share our faith. Our testimony—our personal story of faith—will go much further than our explanations of what to believe.

Why is it that we have such difficulty passing the faith on to the next generation?

I think it is because we fail to follow the advice in this Psalm. What we try to teach our children is our doctrines, the way we do things, the things we believe.

What we need to do is tell our children our stories, letting them know what God has done in our lives, and how we have built a relationship with God. It’s the difference between teaching someone precisely what to do, and helping them to understand not just why they should do it, but also how it is they can figure out what to do.

The key elements to this are:

1.      Tell the stories that were passed on to us

2.      Add to those stories our own personal stories of what God has done

3.      Encourage the young people to develop their own stories to pass on by living them

We may not be able to make our children be just like we are. We shouldn’t do that anyhow. What we need to do is make sure that whatever they do, they do it together with God, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our personal example may fail; but the example of God working in our lives will lead them to a personal relationship with God.

And God will take care of the rest!

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Keep It Simple

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.        Psalm 23 (New Living Translation)

I’ve had several emails and phone calls this week from some folks who are really going through some tough, tough times.  There’s not just one difficult situation in their life but a series of situations that leave a person whirling as if they are in a revolving door and certainly wondering “Why” and “How can I catch my breath?”

I’ve prayerfully lifted these folks to God, asking Him for His peace and wisdom to blanket them through every moment of their day.  I hear His voice responding, “Yes, Jody, I hear your prayer.  Keep going back to the basics.”  Psalm 23 is probably one of the first Scriptures I ever knew.  It is basic to me.  Why?  Because in its simplicity, I feel David’s message: “Trust God.  Trust God.”

It seems logical to surmise that Psalm 23 might have been one of David’s first songs of praise.  He wrote what he knew about.  He wrote about God from the perspective of shepherd.  He saw God as his shepherd who would never do anything or allow anything to harm him – just as he (David) would never do anything to harm the sheep in his care.  “If I have God for my shepherd, I don’t need anything else.”

When my life seems to be ‘pounded’ by adversity, it is in the ‘simple faith’ that I find my comfort.  I do not need deep theological meditations.  God loves me.  God loves me.  That is all I need.  Meditating or thinking about the promises of God, the wonders of God, and the character of God puts the focus of my thoughts where they need to be – up on God.

With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment.  Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow. Don’t ever think that you are wise enough, and but respect the LORD and stay away from evil.  This will make you healthy, and you will feel strong.         Proverbs 3:5-8 (CEV)

[Jesus said,] “When you pray, don’t talk on and on as people do who don’t know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don’t be like them.  Your Father knows what you need before you ask.  You should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, help us to honor your name. Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven. Give us our food for today. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil.”       Matthew 6:7-13 (CEV)

Keep it simple.  Keep the faith simple like a three-year-old believes his/her parent – just because!  Press in closer.  Keep telling God you have faith in what you cannot see; you have ‘hope’ because of Him.  (Hebrews 11)  Period.

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Prayer – Always Answered

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

[The father said to Jesus,] “Often it has cast him [the son] both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.”

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” Mark 9:22-24 (WEB)

One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”

But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43 (WEB)

Prayer that comes from my heart is rarely pretty – except to God’s ears!

The father gives Jesus the gory details of how his son has suffered.  His son doesn’t have a little ‘twitch’.  His seizures throw him into danger!  The father doesn’t even know that Jesus is God – but – he’s desperate!!!  The father says “if”.  Have you ever prayed – asked God for something and said – if???  Have you ever felt like you asked God for something so big that you also had to ask for more faith?!  Absolutely.  The Good News is – Jesus threw out the demon who was tormenting the boy and he – was – healed!!!

In the second Scripture, Jesus and two other guys, criminals, are being crucified.  Roman crucifixion was not pretty.  In fact, it was disgusting and demeaning – even horrific.  It would be ‘X-rated’ if it made it to the television/movie screen – if it was authentically done.  With nails driven through flesh and their bodies hoisted up on a cross, the two guys on either side of Jesus start up a shouting match.  Go figure!  Even in the midst of His human suffering, Jesus answers an important though not-so-pretty prayer.  “Remember me, Jesus!!!”  Jesus assures the guy who has spoke his belief (was it ‘pretty enough’ to satisfy your question of whether the man was ‘saved’?) that not only will He remember the guy – Jesus won’t be watching from a comfortable place in paradise while the other guy is roasting in hell – Oh, No!  Jesus assures the man the he will be with Him in paradise! Better than a Five-Star hotel!

A pleasing prayer to God has a single qualification:  It comes from my heart.  There is no blanket of self-righteousness but a humble righteousness from Jesus – another gift!  Words frequently fail me but my prayer will not fail because God sees my heart.  I’ve even turned my office chair around and pulled up a chair and said, “Jesus?  Have a seat.  We need to talk.”

With Jesus as my first love, I know that peace and comfort-ability that comes from His Spirit and shows me that I have my Lord’s ear.

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Come to the Garden

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

[Jesus said,]“So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth. Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36  (WEB, emphasis mine)

He came out, and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him. When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.”

He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief, and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Luke 22:39-46 (WEB)

How important is prayer in my life?  Am I as faithful to pray every day as I am to brush my teeth every day?  Do I skip breakfast as often as I ‘skip’ my morning time with my Lord?

Jesus was not vague in these two passages in Luke’s gospel.  Luke, physician and scientist, must have thought that these words were important to record!  Jesus was talking to His disciples, the ones who believed in Him, when He warned them – told them to “Be Careful!”  The world is infected with ‘termite-like’ weaknesses that eat away at the very foundation of my faith in my Lord and Savior.  It comes in with ambivalence and arrogance and self-righteousness.   I skip a morning with God because I’m tired or I have an early business meeting and before I know it – it’s been weeks or months or even years since I spent quality, single-focused time with God.  The events of the last years of my life have certainly been a clear testimony to me that I need to spend time with God every day or I will not survive!

Jesus shows me at the Mount of Olives that even He who has such a strong, intimate relationship with the Father will still question the Father’s plans.  He finds the comfort and strength that He needs to complete His mission by laying it all out before the Father and receiving the full answer of the Father that includes all that He needs to get up from His knees and move on.  Again, Jesus tells His disciples to be “Alert and Pray”!  It is only in this habitual prayer life that the disciples will be saved from temptation!!!

I want to “…stand before the Son of Man” and give Him the glory and praise for all that He is currently doing and will continue to do without ceasing for those who seek His face every day! God is so good!

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I Have Hope – Only In Jesus

Posted on April 12, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him.”       John 14:6-7 (WEB)

Jesus is the path to a ‘good’ life.  In building a daily, ongoing relationship with Him, no matter what walls I must climb, no matter who become my traveling companions, and no matter even what path I must walk – Jesus is there and He is the way.

One of the ways that I know that Jesus is the way is that He is always all about truth.  Jesus doesn’t lie to me or deceive me.  His truth is sometimes difficult to digest but the truth is there.  Jesus said that I learn to know Him (and the Truth) by staying attached to Him like a branch stays attached to the “true vine” (John 15:1).

Jesus is life.   Jesus is real life, not just ‘make do’ or ‘OK’ life.  He is life that has hope in it and joy, irregardless of circumstances.  Jesus is life that has more grace and mercy and compassion and love in it than I can generate on my own strength with self-help books and a positive mental attitude!

And as I grow in this relationship with Jesus I come to know the Father, my Creator.  I begin to know God.  I know that He is real.

Be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid, nor be scared of them: for Yahweh your God, he it is who does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.”

Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous: for you shall go with this people into the land which Yahweh has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. Yahweh, he it is who does go before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you, neither forsake you: don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (WEB)

Moses had spent a lot of time with God.  They had long conversations.  These conversations were not just about praising Him but included questions; ‘real conversations’.  The Israelites had that same opportunity.  God didn’t want just a personal relationship with Moses because he was ‘holy enough’!  God wants that kind of relationship with all of His children!  The Israelites said “No” (Exodus 20:18-19) and God said “OK”.  He’ll do that.  He’s polite that way!

It doesn’t tell me exactly why the Israelites refused this personal relationship with God.  I can only speak for myself.  I kept God at a distance for two reasons: 1) I didn’t want Him to know how un-holy I was.  That’s pretty funny!  God knows my spiritual state a whole lot better than I do!!! And 2) I wasn’t totally dumb – I figured if I got too ‘chummy’ with God and started to enjoy being around Him – I’d have to make some changes in my life.  I might have to give up ‘something’.

But Jesus made all the difference.  The writer of Hebrews says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)  Jesus is the WAY.  Jesus goes into the Holy of Holies before me and I have ‘communion’; I ‘break bread’ with God Himself, My Creator!

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood [Jesus’ perfect sacrifice] and righteousness [Jesus’ right relationship with the Father]. -lyrics by Edward Mote, 1797-1874 (emphasis and additions mine)

I have hope because of Jesus.  I have a ‘hope–full’ life in Jesus.

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This is My Offering

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Jody Neufeld
I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.…

What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of Yahweh. I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people. Psalm 116:1-2, 12-14 (WEB)

Sometimes I am not even aware that God has heard my voice because the cry goes out from my heart and never passes my brain!  Think of the worse thing that has ever happened to you.  Maybe it was the unexpected death or abandonment of someone that you loved.  Maybe it was an unexpected layoff from a job after a 20-year career.  Maybe it was a telephone call from a police officer asking, “Is this (your name)?” And he/she has information about some tragedy that has happened to someone you know and even love.  Or maybe it is about a hurricane or a war.  In that moment, it seems like your mind goes into ‘neutral’ or ‘stall’.   Even in that moment, I remember a ‘cry’ came up out of my heart.  I don’t know that I could even describe the cry in words or a coherent thought.  But God knew what was in my heart.  God knew what I needed even before I did.  He knew the next step for the next hour and the next day and the next year.  God’s ear was turned toward me.

The next thing that may happen is the cry turns to a bargain with God.  “God, if You do ____, then I promise to _____.”  Little ol’ me bargaining with God, Creator of All!  How funny is that?!!  What could I have or what could I do that weighs in a balance with what God can do?  The only thing that I can do … is be obedient.  Yes, just do what God asks of me.

“…if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”                2 Chronicles 7:14 (WEB, emphasis mine)

Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.          Matthew 28:18-20 (WEB, emphasis mine)

When I ‘die’ to my way and my plan and become the servant that God desires, then in serving others and being a reflection of what God is doing in my life, I begin to give back to God through what I do for His children.  I truly lift a pleasing offering to Him, a cup of salvation, an offering of thanksgiving and praise.

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Oh, My Lord!

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

All of you angels in heaven, honor the glory and power of the LORD! Honor the wonderful name of the LORD, and worship the LORD most holy and glorious.

The voice of the LORD echoes over the oceans.  The glorious LORD God thunders above the roar of the raging sea, and his voice is mighty and marvelous.  The voice of the LORD destroys the cedar trees; the LORD shatters cedars on Mount Lebanon.  God makes Mount Lebanon skip like a calf and Mount Hermon jump like a wild ox.

The voice of the LORD makes lightning flash and the desert tremble. And because of the LORD, the desert near Kadesh shivers and shakes.
The voice of the LORD makes deer give birth before their time. Forests are stripped of leaves, and the temple is filled with shouts of praise.
The LORD rules on his throne, king of the flood forever. Pray that our LORD will make us strong and give us peace.                                         Psalm 29 (CEV)

Each morning you listen to my prayer, as I bring my requests to you and wait for your reply.                                                                                      Psalm 5:3 (CEV)

As I see the news reports regarding the devastation of Haiti, mine cave-in in West Virginia, ongoing tragedy with the rescue workers from 9/11, friends knocked down by cancer, strokes, and divorce, I find myself almost speechless in prayer.  My words seem limited to “Jesus, have mercy!”  “Lord God, reach out to Your children with comfort and answers only You can provide!”  The psalmist reminds me that even oceans and flood waters come under the authority of our Lord.

I do not know how God will use each one of us but God will use us all in some way because the opportunities are so great to touch people who need their Mighty Lord.  It is a time for many to find a new perspective on the priorities of their life.  It is a time to discover that in their weakness, God will be strong for them!  It is the time for eyes to be open to the miracles of God!  Our Lord will use us as His hands and feet to serve His hurting children.  He will also hear me when I come before Him every day to lift these people to Him in prayer.  It is a joy (yes, joy) to pray and even wonder about the specific ways that come to my mind as I pray and then see how God will answer that specific prayer.  It is so important to remember that if you are praying about something, allow God to sift through all the emotion. Let God take the weight of the prayer on His shoulders. If I get up from my prayer still feeling weighed down by the situation, then I have not given the request to God. I have tried to keep it so that I can fix it! It is not about me! It’s about how mighty my Lord is!!!

As my friend, Greg May, said the other day, “When someone comes to me wanting some of my time, my flesh thinks of them as a “Time Bandit” God tells me that it is not just about faith. It is also about doing. While I never stop praying for people, do I also put action to God’s ‘call’ when He tells me to call someone or give my time in His Kingdom?

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”                           Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)

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He is More…and Enough

Posted on April 6, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Out of the depths I have cried to you, Yahweh.               Psalm 130:1 (WEB)

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

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 doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you. Psalm 139:12 (WEB)

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, Yahweh, my strength. Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower. I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised; and I am saved from my enemies. …

For by you, I advance through a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall. Psalm 18:1-3, 29 (WEB)

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 in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 42:11 (WEB, emphasis mine)

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