God's Word Dispels the Darkness

“My life dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness; raise me up and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word.”     (Psalm 119:28 Amplified)

It was dark outside as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling.  I hadn’t slept much that night, so I longed to fall into a deep sleep, but instead I seemed to only fall into a pit of despair.  Anxious thoughts flooded my mind and worry gripped my heart.  With heaviness mounting, I lay in bed and wept. 

Deciding to fight sleep no more, I retreated to my chair in the corner of the room and opened my Bible. These are the very first words I read, “Don’t worry about a thing.” (1 Samuel 17:32)  I sat there and stared at the words.  I could hardly believe what I had just read.  Don’t worry about a thing!  Tears of joy started to flow freely down my cheeks.  God wasn’t chastising me (although He rightly could have).  Instead, He gently lifted me up and strengthened me with His word. 

I am so very thankful for the Bible.  Years ago, when depression plagued me, I pleaded with God to open my eyes to the truth.  Darkness abounded within, and I needed the Lord to set me free.  I had never been a student of His word, but I was determined to draw closer to God.  In order to really know His heart, I had to dig into the Scriptures.  As I did, I asked the Holy Spirit to teach me, which is a prayer He graciously answered and continues to answer.  I can’t really keep thoughts of fear and worry from coming into my mind, but I do have a choice what I will do with them.  So on that particular morning after a night of unrest, I chose to believe God’s word and not worry any more.  As I laid my cares at His feet, a peace settled deep into my heart because I knew He would be true to His word. 

Abba, I thank you for the Scriptures.  When darkness clouds my way, Your word always dispels the darkness.  As the Psalmists prayed, I too pray, Lord, teach me Your statutes.  Open my eyes to behold wonderful things in Your word, and may this craving for You and Your word never die. 

Sight Vs. Faith

 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.     (Judges 21:25 NLT)
 

     As I approached the courtroom, it surprised me to see the amount of people standing there. When the doors opened and the people pushed through to take a seat, I began to realize my friend would not be the only one standing before a judge that day. A heavy, forlorn mood filled the courtroom as we waited for the judge to arrive. As this man of great stature entered the room and we all stood, it was clear people knew their fate lay in his hands.  Case after case presented daunting facts.  Stories of armed robbery, embezzling, drug distribution, and offenses against the innocent gripped my heart.  Why had these individuals resorted to crime?    

     The book of Judges holds the answer I believe, for the stories shared in that book weren’t much different than the ones I heard that day at the courthouse. “All the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”  People were walking by sight and not by faith.  Occasionally when life got difficult they looked to the Lord to get them out of the messes they’d made, but for the most part they just did whatever felt right in the moment. Proverbs 14:12 says,  “There’s a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death”   DEATH!  Death isn’t always physical.  For those in the courtroom that day, death of dreams and hopes took place.  Life would never be the same. 

     There are days I'm guilty of walking by sight.  With my rational mind, I want to understand and figure things out.  I grow weary of waiting on the Lord.  Convicted by my own lack of courage,  I hear my Lord beckoning me to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Him up Golgotha.  For that dreaded climb up the hill opened the doors to new life.  In faith, Jesus abandoned himself completely to the will of the Father.  His fortitude amazes me.  His love leaves me speechless.  Walking by faith isn’t easy, yet it gives me joy to know I have a King who died and conquered death for me. 

Jesus, thank you for dying so that I can live.  You are the Author and Perfecter of my faith.  Help me Lord to trust You with every fiber that is within me.  And Lord, send me to others who need to know You as King.