For years now, whenever I read these verses, scenes from the movie, "Facing the Giants" come to mind. A young couple, serving God, knew about barrenness and loss. The wife appeared unable to conceive a child they so desperately wanted, and the husband's job was in jeopardy of termination. Outwardly both situations appeared hopeless.
One of the visuals that has etched itself forever on my mind is the moment of decision the wife makes after hearing the results of another pregnancy test. She enters the doctor's office with such hope and excitement, convinced this time of positive news, only to hear the nurse confirm again a negative outcome. She is now standing in the parking lot bedside her vehicle, tears streaming from her eyes, unable to face this bitter reality another time. Through her heartbreak and in her grief, she looks up and says, "Lord, I will still love You." Her world is being devastated, yet she will hold on to God. She chooses to continue to love Him, even though she doesn't comprehend why He is not answering the deepest longing of her heart.
Yes moments.
I am sure all our lives are filled with them. Events are speaking opposite to what our prayers have requested. God's hand is nowhere to be seen. Nothing is making sense at all. We do not understand what God is doing, or not doing. Our hearts are starving, our lives are barren, we are experiencing loss and we feel forgotten and empty. We question God's timing, purpose and presence. But, from somewhere deep within, a calm assurance begins to rise. We remember truth. We grab hold of promises. Faith trumps feelings and from some hidden place inside we offer a sacrifice of praise, exclaiming with defiant confidence, "yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!" Look at those exclamation marks! This is spoken with determination and commitment!
As January 1st quickly approaches, this year may still hold some "yet moments". It is possible we have held hope that this year would have been a year of change, but we are still praying for God's intervention and His plans to be revealed. The prophet Habakkuk also reminds us that God has appointed a time that will not delay, and even when answers seem slow in coming, we are encouraged to wait on Him. (Habakkuk 2:3)
Yet, we will rejoice in the Lord! This is a decision to rejoice. Not in our circumstances. Definitely not in our feelings, or how things currently appear, but in our Lord! Our Lord is our strength! He makes us surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Many years ago, while visiting a zoo, I captured an incredible picture. A goat was standing on the peak of a man-made mountain. How he got up there was beyond my comprehension. It would not have been an easy route. How was he still standing and not falling? God spoke to my heart in that moment. "Joy, that can be you. It is not easy, but I can enable you to rise above. Not tentatively and hesitantly, but with certainty. I am your strength. Come with Me and tread upon the heights." God empowers us to rise above all the concerns of this world that threaten to weigh us down.
We need to take our eyes off our limitations and focus on God's unlimited power. He is alive and in control. God gives us strength and confidence when we cannot see all He is doing and His presence reassures as we wait for what He is yet to do. Our faith shines in the yet moments when we choose to love and praise God for who He is, especially when we cannot trace His hand.
2 comments:
Excellent Joy thankyou, the shorter bks. Have some of the greatest promises. Blessings
Joy, this is so beautifully written! You really capture our fears, sadnesses, and concerns as well as the sure hope we have in Jesus and the reminders God gives us in our perseverance. Thanks so much for sharing your insights <3
Post a Comment