Tag: joy

  • In The Shadows

    Encouragement in the 23 Psalm

    sun breaking through forest shadows

    We walked along the heavily shadowed forest trail. Underneath  our feet, the moss and evergreen needles padded our footsteps. We enjoyed hearing the songs of the chickadees who seemed to be following along with us on our walk, and listened to the sound of a bubbling stream nearby.

    Periodically, we’d hit a spot where the sun shone brightly, then we were back in the shadows before long. The shadows didn’t mean the sun wasn’t there; they meant the trees shielded us from seeing it temporarily.

    Life can be that way at times. Life’s troubles can make it seem like God isn’t there, yet He remains the same all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present loving God even when times are dark.

    The Scriptures repeatedly tell us that He will never leave or forsake us. King David understood this truth and proclaimed it in a familiar Psalm.

    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 NIV

    David knew many dark times, including extended periods when his enemies actively sought to kill Him. He also knew the power and faithfulness of God, and that come what may, He was secure in the Lord’s hands. He knew that even if they succeeded, he would be with the Lord forever.

    We live in dark times. People are more frightened than I recall ever seeing before. The shadows are falling over us.

    We don’t have to be fearful because the Lord’s mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. He is still on the throne when the shadows threaten to overwhelm us.

    The world can strip us of everything but cannot separate us from Christ. Through Him, we are victorious.

    Fear not, my friends.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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  • Water Rats and hard hearts

    I stood on the lakeshore watching a muskrat contentedly swim along, either oblivious to or ignoring me. As he swam by, a nonsense children’s song from my childhood flashed through my mind. “Fat, fat, you water rat. Moby Dick your mother was a whale.”

    It didn’t mean anything; it was simply fun to sing. Piffles, that is nonsense rhymes and songs often make me smile, perhaps it’s my inner child.

    Curious about the origins of the song, I did some searching online, and it seems to have its roots in a street song from the early 1900s.

    As the song echoed in my brain, I was reminded of an account from Scripture.

    Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear let him hear.“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. Matthew 11:11-19 ESV

    Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees for their hard hearts. They have made up their minds about John and Jesus, and no amount of proof will satisfy them. Like petulant children, they did not dance with joy or mourn.

    Sometimes, as Christians, we can act that way about the church or our local assembly in particular. I’m sure we all know people who complain about everything on a Sunday morning.

    For them, there is always something wrong with the preacher, the sermon, the music, the brand of coffee. No one greeted them at the door, or perhaps someone did. It’s the wrong Bible translation. The congregants are too formal or irreverent. The programs aren’t what they should be. I’m sure you have heard all these and more.

    Now, to be sure, not everything is perfect in any local assembly. Everyone can have a grumpy, off day.

    These constant complainers, who are never satisfied, have a heart problem. They can be frustrating and cause divisions in the church.

    Such people need our prayers. We also need to pray for our own hearts, that we love these unhappy people and not let their lack of joy rob us of ours.

    We have the ultimate reason for joy in Jesus. Let’s not squander it on petty inconveniences or with cold, hard hearts.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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