The house is quiet and all are asleep. Suddenly the security alarms blares loudly and frightens us as we struggle out of bed. Could someone be in our house? We can’t turn on the light or the intruder might see us. Our telephone promptly rings as the alarm company is checking on us to uncover any problem. “I’ll stay on the line and send police if you need them,” the woman calmly replies. My husbands grabs the baseball bat that rests on the floor against his side of the bed and moves toward the hallway. I lag behind him, phone in hand, fearfully inching my way into the darkness. The street light assists us as we apprehensively fumble around the house, searching every closet and corner for a trespasser. “Nothing!” I respond into the phone. She replies that possibly a moth flew across the path of the monitor beam, setting off the alarm. Trembling with uneasiness, we return to bed for a fitful night’s sleep.
The night that our house alarm went off frightened us tremendously. Anyone would be scared. But why let that feeling linger once everything appeared safe? Because I continued to focus on my circumstances. Instead of believing in God’s promises, I worried needlessly with all my “what ifs”. Here is a promise that should have been buried in my heart:
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Life is ominous at times. We may struggle with finances, an impending divorce, a prodigal child captive in a “distant land,” a tornado or hurricane approaching, joblessness, even death. As Christians how do we endure? How do we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, that deep dark distress enveloping our lives? We focus on Jesus, the Light within our hearts, and allow His promises to illumine our lives. We believe with faith in the Word of God, His Son Jesus Christ. We regularly read His Word and bury those promises deep in our hearts. When pain arrives, and it surely will, we are not caught off guard. We know who we trust and we stand firm on His Word. It only takes a small amount of light to dispel gloom. Read the passages below and permit them to shine into your dark corner.
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.....
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:2,6-7 (NIV)
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.....
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:2,6-7 (NIV)
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever. Psalm 23 (NIV)
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever. Psalm 23 (NIV)
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46 (NIV)
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46 (NIV)
For You light my lamp;
The LORD my God illumines my darkness.
For by You I can run upon a troop;
And by my God I can leap over a wall.
The LORD my God illumines my darkness.
For by You I can run upon a troop;
And by my God I can leap over a wall.
As for God, His way is blameless;
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:28-30 (NIV)
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:28-30 (NIV)
Darkness cannot overshadow the light of Christ. Let the light within your heart brightly shine so you and others can focus on nothing but the power of God!
Please lift up in prayer this week all those affected by the events of 9/11 ten years ago.