Even in the Dark

"For thou wilt light my lamp, the LORD, my God, will lighten my darkness."  Ps. 18:28

  "It's so dark!  Daddy, I can't see anything!"  She said with a tremble in her voice as her little hand squeezed tighter around her father's.

  "Honey, keep holding my hand."

  "But, Daddy, I can't see you."

  "Sweet daughter, do you feel my hand around yours?  Do you hear my voice?"

  "Yes."  She whispered.

  "Then just keep holding my hand, I won't let go.  You know I am right here.  They will turn the lights back on in just a minute, "  he said with such love in his voice.

  That's my memory of me as a young girl when we went deep into Mammoth Cave one summer.  I still can remember the intense darkness of that experience, of clinging to my father for reassurance, and receiving the comfort that only a father can give.

  Have you ever felt like you were spiritually "in the dark?"  If we're being honest, I think we all have.  It may have been someone dear to us who was ill, a financial hardship, loss of job, direction in life, or just trying to know what step to take next in our life.  We could see physically with our eyes, but our heart and thoughts were so clouded because of the heaviness of the trial.

  It  is in those times when we can not see in front of us, that darkness seems to veil the way, that we keep holding on to the hand of our loving Heavenly Father.  The Psalms say, "...for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."  We keep trusting Him, listening for His voice, and knowing of His presence is with us at all times.

  Visualize the Lord holding your hand ... take a moment and get into the scriptures.  Find a verse that gives you encouragement or direction, claim that verse, and keep your eyes steadfastly on Jesus.  Know the comfort of His presence and realize that God is just as loving and caring when we do not see or feel His love.  He WILL be with you and bring you out of the darkness.  Hallelujah!  God sees great in the darkness!

  

God's Requirements

  Quirks!  oh, do I have some.  Let's see ... I like my coffee to be REALLY hot... I love my little envelopes of money stashed around the house...and I'm very particular about my mailbox.  Ok, so how is my mailbox quirky?  Well, it's not really my mailbox---it's the little "game" I play with myself when I'm checking the mail.  It sounds a little crazy, but I like to think that if I don't go everyday then I will find something special in my mailbox---a note from a friend, some pictures from family, or just some special surprise.  Well, I went to get my mail a couple of weeks ago and to my great surprise a different looking envelope was tucked away in the box.  It was a jury summons.  Oh, man, not really what I wanted, but since it was a "surprise", I tried to play the part of being thrilled.  I read the summons and, much to my amazement, there were several "requirements" that I had to meet before I could serve.  Things like eighteen years of age, resident of this state and of the county in which I live, being of sound mind(questionable), etc.  I quickly determined that I satisfied all the requirements, so I signed it and sent it back.  

  It was several mornings later during my quiet time that the word "required" kept coming to my mind.  I began to ask, "Lord, what is it that You require of me?"  My searching took me to Deuteronomy 10:12 "And now, Israel, (Ginny) what does the Lord your God require of you but (reverently) to fear the Lord your God, (that is) to walk in all His way, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your (mind and) heart and with your entire being."  Pretty straightforward.  I began to think about the verses and what each verb meant and whether I was really meeting God's requirement of me.

  So, I examined His words further.  Let's look at them together.

    FEAR----to fear the Lord means reverential trust including hatred of evil.  I continue to learn how to trust the Lord in every area of my life.  We have to trust completely, that He will do what He says, or we really don't trust at all.  From Matthew Henry's Commentary "We must adore his majesty, acknowledge his authority, stand in awe of his power, and dread his wrath."  The Proverbs say:  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."

    WALK----to walk in all His ways means to obey His commandments.  To be able to do that we have to be in the Word daily so that we know how to respond, how to live, act, and know that His commandments are for our good.

    LOVE----It is because He first loved us that we can love Him.  It is a choice, a commitment.  Matthew Henry wrote about the five loves we need to have for God---(i) a sincere love, one that not only is expressed in word and deed, but deep within our hearts, one that solaces us;  (ii) a strong love---one of great ardour and ferverent affection: (iii) a superlative love---love God above any creature whatsoever; (iv) an intelligent love---we must know Him, and (v) an entire love---requiring that the whole stream of our affections run toward Him.

    SERVE----do what God asks us to, cheerfully and with goodwill and a servant's heart.

  You notice that all of these are to be done with ALL of our mind, will, and emotions.

  This is my challenge and encouragement to you...that you would ask God to show you how you can fulfill His requirements above and beyond the way you ever have before.  It can only bring peace, blessings, a closer fellowship with Him and a sweeter love.

  Well, about my quirks, I guess that is what makes me...well me.  I'm glad the Lord loves me inspite of them and works with me on them.  Always look forward to our next visit!