10 I am the LORD your God,
Who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.—Psalm 81:10
Last night, when I was out with dog, my heart did some searching and some praying. I had spent a good part of my day in grief which was made worse by my heart that wobbled in fear of future grief. Truly loving brings joy, but it can be and often is a two-edged sword. Loving can also bring sorrow, grief and loss. I have hated this corollary since I was a little girl. In my life, I have experienced much of both. Here is the thing…the joy that loving has brought to my life is and has been wonderful, but the sorrow loving has brought has been instrumental in drawing me close to my God. Truly, that has made me more grateful for the latter than the former.
God has used grief in my life to strengthen my relationship with Him. In His wisdom and lovingkindness, He has used my sorrow of heart (and my subsequent fear of loss) to keep me utterly dependent on Him and bring me into His presence. Last night, (in the very same spot and in the very same way as He did 20 years ago when I experienced my first catastrophic loss) He reminded me once again of His purposes in my sorrow. The world around me faded until it was just me and my God under a canopy of stars. Without my ongoing sorrow and grief, my heart would be clinging desperately to the people in my life for assurance and comfort. Now I cling to Him…to the One who will never, no, not ever, leave me or forsake me. His constant, unchanging love has enabled me to endure, and somewhere in the midst of all that enduring, my Jesus has become the anchor of my soul.
Beloved...Our God is mighty...His works are wonderful. His arm is not short, and there is nothing too hard for Him. We who believe stand in grace...in God’s permanent, unmerited, divine favor. Our sure and certain destiny is that we will share in the very glory of God. Trust Him. He will work in every situation you face for your good and His glory. He is sovereign, and no one and nothing can separate you from His love. No matter what happens, you (and me) will be okay. The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms.
After I went inside last evening, I grabbed my Bible. The series of verses the Lord brought me were a beautiful symphony that enabled me to lay down in peace and sweetened my sleep. Leaving them here…
1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.—Psalm 46:1-3
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.—2 Timothy 1:7
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.—1 John 4:18-19
Faith is the opposite of fear…trusting brings peace. Fear brings chaos. Faith overcomes.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?—1 John 5:4-5
6 The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.—Psalm 118:6
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.—Proverbs 3:24-26
10 I am the LORD your God,
Who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.—Psalm 81:10
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.—Psalm 33
