Both alike to You

For some of us, this day, the eve of the new year, 2013, is one more day in the night season we recently entered; for others, it marks another day in a night season that has lasted a long time. 

Regardless of the current length of our night season, the question, “How long will this last?” is one with which all of us may be familiar. The answer is known only to God, our Father; however, we are also intimately known to Him. He knows exactly where we are and He never loses sight of us regardless of the nature or length of our night season or any other season of our life. The darkness and the light, the day and the night are both alike to Him (Psalm 139:12, Amplified [AMP]).  What Job declared hundreds of years ago still is true today and every day, “… He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10, New King James Version [NKJV]).

In addition, He is not observing us from a distance; He is right there with us, every moment and every step of the way, whether or not we feel His presence near.  His plan for us is still good (Jeremiah 29:11, AMP), no matter what our circumstances seem to shout. He really does works all things together for our good (Romans 8: 28, AMP) regardless of how awful things seem to be. He is for us, not against us, and nothing will ever separate us from His love (Romans 8:31-39, NKJV).

May we find encouragement and comfort in the following verses:

“The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun (Psalm 74:16, NKJV).

“ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me and the night shall be [the only] light about me, even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You” (Psalm 139:11-12, AMP).

“He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him!” (Daniel 2:22, AMP)

Led all the way

The first verse of the hymn, “All the way my Savior leads me,” by Frances Crosby, has often been a source of comfort to me, especially during difficult times, or as we have titled those times here, “night seasons.” I wanted to share the lyrics and a verse that I also find comforting.

All the way my Savior leads me,
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

Sometimes in the bitterness of circumstances, especially when they have gone on for a while, we can question that God is with us, much more leading us, and want to say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” to the path we are on.  May we find comfort in knowing, even when we do not understand and would certainly not have chosen our pain drenched circumstances, God really does all things well. May the words of Isaiah 58:11(New International Version) be a balm to your spirit.

The Lord will guide you always;
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut

Praying for the victims of this incomprehensible, unspeakable tragedy.

Of this I can be Sure: Help for the Night Seasons

Night seasons can be rife with uncertainty, a factor that can trigger anxiety, worry, and stress.  It can be helpful to know that, amidst the uncertainties, there are several things of which we can be sure.  One certainty is, God is always with us, whether we feel His presence or not.

In her message aired on “Life Today,” a television program of Life Outreach Ministries, Bible teacher Beth Moore, shared, as only she can, her experience of a power outage while staying in a motel in Angola.  She recalls being scared out of her mind, hearing the whispers of people she could not see, and then hearing the heavy tread of a man coming toward her.  She wondered what to say and do and her upbringing came to her rescue.  Beth noted, “Where I come from if you don't know anything else to do, be polite;  if you have no idea what to say, just be polite. So in her most polite voice, she began to say, "Here I am! Here I am. I am right here, here I am.”  Not knowing that the tread she heard was of the man she loved most in the world, she was sure that the person could not understand a word she was saying but then a voice said, “Baby, it is me. I’m coming for you.” He told her to stay where she was and he was going to come get her.  Beth said she was never so glad to get her hands on her husband in her entire life and reported, she had never heard a sweeter voice as his saying, “Baby, I'm right here. You just stand there and I'm going to come get you."  Beth then shared these truths:

“That -- that is what the God of all comfort does. You don't have to go anywhere to find it, all you have to do is reach out your sweet little hands and go, "I'm right here. Here I am. Come get me! Come get me! I'm right here. And it is so black outside, Lord! I cannot see my hand before me but I'm asking You, come get me." Your God will never forsake you. You will never ask him for his presence that He refuses you Himself!

You go for the comforts of this world, you will miss the comforts of Christ and there is nothing like a divine encounter when you know that the voice of God has said over you, "I'm coming! I'm coming. You just stand right there and you reach out your hands with desire. And I will come for you."

  "With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
      and encourage those who have weak knees.
 Say to those with fearful hearts,
      “Be strong, and do not fear,
   for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
      He is coming to save you.”  (Isaiah 35:3&4; New Living Translation)

Songs in the night

When hurting or just plain worn out by the challenges of life, sometimes the last thing we want to do is sing. But the choice to sing to God, in truth, the very act of singing to God can lift our spirits, bring cleansing and refreshing to our souls, and encourage us to go on or hold on.  The song in itself can be a way of crying out to God, the One who we are told, “gives us songs in the night.” (Job 35:10). 

I recently read the history* of a beloved hymn, “It is well with my soul.”  The hymn was written by Horatio G. Spafford after several traumatic events in his life, the last of which was the death of his four daughters. They died while crossing the Atlanitic Ocean after the ship in which they and his wife were passengers, sank after a collision with a sea vessel. His wife survived and while travelling to meet her, as his ship passed near where his daughters died, Spafford was inspired to write the lyrics.

I pray you will find comfort and encouragement in his words (two verses and the refrain are provided below) because the same God who sustained Horatio Spafford is with you to strengthen and sustain you in these night seasons of your life.  In addition, regardless of how dismal things seem, you have His promise that it will be well with you. “Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings” (Isaiah 3:10; NKJV)  

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

 *(See the following link for a complete history of this hymn. http://www.biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn.html )