Since July 31st I haven't written a post here (excluding the near-nothing previously posted). Wow! That's 11 days!! Thanks to all who continued to read me and search my archives. Bless your hearts! Thanks for your emails of concern. I'm humbled that you read me regularly. I just couldn't get my muse to work together in my brain, my spirit, my heart and soul. Yet, the entire time my blog remained void of my near-daily opines, commiserations, and laments, I have rejoiced. And sometimes that baffles me.
Though a dark spirit chained my power to think with clarity, I saw light in the shadows of my heart. Though assaulted by verbiage that challenged my every positive view, my mind praised God for all He is and Who He is in the evil of this world. Though my trust in others is strangled by skepticism, my hope in the integrity of Christians grows and lives.
A study I'm doing in 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 clarifies, to me, how it is possible to go through the darkness, pessimism, negativity and pain of daily living. I'm going to do a series of posts on what God is showing me. Maybe it will give encouragement to someone else. First up: "REJOICE"
"REJOICE ALWAYS!" vs. 16
Why should I rejoice when the prince of this world controls and seeks to destroy every iota of peace and joy I have on this earth? Why should I rejoice when the clutches of death attempts to choke the very seed of hope lodged in my heart? Why should I rejoice when I'm troubled on every side?
The Spirit and God's Word tells me why. The world belongs to Jesus--His death and resurrection has overcome the world. God has made His enemies His footstool. The Cross crushed the serpent's head. It's so amazing to me that, ultimately, battles are swallowed up in Victory. Victory in Christ.
Yet you might ask, "rejoice?" How, when I have no idea how I'm going to pay my mortgage. How, when I've just buried my son? How, when I lost my job? How, when the church I attend seems so cold and lifeless? How, when my country is so divided? How, when I'm dry and dead spiritually? Ah...that's the whole point in the above verse and ones to follow.
Sometimes I'm baffled because my heart cannot let go of the joy I have in Jesus. I suppose it is because I am so in awe of all Christ is and how much greater He is than all my problems. He is my strength in my weakest moments. He is my hope in my deepest fears. He is my provision in my greatest lack. He is my peace in my most unsettling confusion. He is my refuge in my hardest storms. He is my protector in hateful assaults. Jesus. How can I not rejoice always, when I own so much in my Savior and Lord?
In the midst of my darkest hours, He is my Light. So I rejoice; I am not alone in despair. I am not without someone who lifts me up when I slip and fall. So I rejoice; my Lord is able. When my faith wavers in the continual flow of waves that seek to push me back and pull me under, I have a faithful God. So I rejoice in His promises. Jesus is my all in all. He keeps me, defends me, protects me, guides me, sustains me, and someday will come back and bring me into His holy presence forever and ever. And I am baffled sometimes because He is far more worthy than I can ever credit Him. selahV
