The Darkness - His Covering

"11He made darkness His covering,

His canopy around him,

thick clouds dark with water.

12Out of the brightness before Him hailstones

and coals of fire broke through His clouds.

13The LORD also thundered in the heavens,

and the Most High uttered His voice,

hailstones and coals of fire.

14And He sent out his arrows and scattered them;

He flashed forth lightnings and routed them.

15Then the channels of the sea were seen,

and the foundations of the world were laid bare

at Your rebuke, O LORD,

at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

16He sent from on high, he took me;

he drew me out of many waters.

17He rescued me from my strong enemy

and from those who hated me,

for they were too mighty for me.

18They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

but the LORD was my support.

19He brought me out into a broad place;

He rescued me, because He delighted in me."

-Psalm 18: 11 - 19

"28For it is You who light my lamp;

the LORD my God lightens my darkness.

29For by You I can run against a troop,

and by my God I can leap over a wall.

30This God—His way is perfect;

the word of the LORD proves true;

He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him."

-Psalm 18:28-30

There are times when all seems so very dark. The black clouds are so thick light cannot penetrate, until the hailstones come pelting down and the furious lightning cracks. All feels, so alone, and fearful, and the voice of God isn't audible.

Yet He makes the darkness His covering; concealed in this darkness is God Himself...

Those dark times, those lost, alone times are often those we look back on as times of our greatest spiritual growth. The dark not only makes us aware of how much we need the light, but also, perhaps, allows Him to creep in, subtley - at times when we need Him the most.

Then He draws us out of the many waters, and lightens our darkness. We are rescued, invigorated, and strengthened - and by our God we can leap over a wall.

The darkness causes fear and helplessness, yet it allows our God to creep in and rescue us - right at the perfect time when we need Him the most.

And then finally, His light breaks through the clouds.

Embrace the Joy, Embrace the Pain

"If we do not embrace the path of joy-laden, painful love, we will waste our lives."
-John Piper

The Garden of My Soul

"Fill the garden of my soul
with the winds of love,
that the scents of the Christian life may be
wafted to others;
then come and gather fruits to Thy glory.
So shall I fulfill the great end of my being -
To glorify Thee and be a blessing to men."

-compiled by Arthur Bennet in The Valley of Vision

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable,

gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits,

impartial and sincere.

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace

by those who make peace."

-James 3:17-18

Except at the Cost...

"One cannot love God except at the cost of oneself."
-Mother Theresa

Theme of my Song

"For I delight in your commands

because I love them"

-Psalm 119:47

"Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge. "
-Psalm 119:54

"Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.

My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end."
Psalm 119:111-112

I used to groan internally when I reached Psalm 119, it seemed such a chore to read through it! :) Obviously my heart was not fixed on enjoying His word - it might have run more to the must-finish-reading-Bible-in-one-year mentality. I'm not sure when He opened my eyes to the beauty in this chapter, (it may have been gradual) but it's now one that I love. Psalm 119 is such a beautiful reminder of how delightful His law and commands are! (Ironically in opposition to my original attitude. :) )

David sees His Lord's commands as a continual source of joy! He sings of the joy in following God's law, delight in His decrees, God's word as the theme of his song. We follow His laws as our duty, yes, but too much focus on duty blurs the delight! His word can be the joy of our hearts, the theme of our song!

Serving a King is not a chore to the servant who has love for his Master - rather, it is his joy to anticipate and fulfill the King's every desire. We find joy in service to our King, and His law itself is an endless source of joy and delight - because it shows us how we can serve Him more.

What Greater Portion

"'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.'"
-Lamentations 3:24

What greater portion is there -
than You, Oh God,
My cup overflows with Your grace

How can I get enough of
Your beauty, my LORD
My longing is to gaze on Your face

My hope is in You,
My desire for You,
Lord - in You let me delight

My sacrifice to You is
a broken spirit
May it be pleasing dear Lord, in Your sight.

Lord! I love You!
Increase my love!
Let this heart always be full -

You are the Source
of this love in my heart
Blessed Portion! My Lord, strength of my soul.