Stumbling in Darkness

This morning, my morning walk took place in darkness, before sunrise. It was difficult to see where I should have gone and where obstacles lay before me. At one point I was showered with water by an active lawn sprinkler that I didn’t see. When I tried to get around that sprinkler, I tripped on a fallen tree branch. We need light to see where we should go and what we should avoid.

Matthew 4:16 says, “the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” When we come to Jesus Christ in faith, God’s light reveals the truth to us. Suddenly, we begin to understand things as they really are, as opposed to observing life in darkness. His light directs us in the ways that we should go.

What Am I Smelling?

If you go to the perfume counter of a department store, you can sample the smells of various wonderful fragrances. If you pass a cow pasture, you encounter a smell of a completely different type. Sometimes, we encounter smells that are not readily identifiable.

II Corinthians 2:14-15 says, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. for we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” Memorial Day parades remind us of the sacrifice of brave men and women who gave their all for our freedom. The procession of God’s people remind everyone of God’s sacrifice for us. Oh Father, make us an attractive fragrance for all to come to you and to know you.

Waiting Room

Many diverse thoughts come to us while we are awaiting news in a hospital waiting room. We have thoughts of hope, expecting good news. We have thoughts of fear, suspecting bad news will come. We offer silent prayers for miracles.

Psalm 68:28 says, “Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.” The time between our prayer and God’s answer to our prayer is the time when miracles are born. When circumstances look bleak, God’s power will be demonstrated. God is in the business of amazing reversals, creating good out of what appears to be bad.

Good News

Receiving good news can revive our souls and lift our spirits. We can find ourselves in a valley of doubt and pity, but the arrival of good news will lift us to the mountain tops to see God’s glory.

Revelation 22:3-5 says, “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” Sometimes, you just need to know good news. For those who have trusted in Jesus Christ, a time is coming when darkness and evil will no longer exist. God will light up everything and we will reign with Him forevermore.

All Kinds of Words

We speak and hear all kinds of words during each day. We hear words of kindness meant to encourage us. We hear harsh words designed to humiliate us. We hear words of direction given to lead us in the path that the speaker wants us to go. We hear boastful words meant to promote the speaker. Words lead to action, whether they are accepted or rejected by the hearer. Some words bless the hearer and other words have the opposite affect.

Psalm 119:103 says, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” When we allow God’s words to enter into our minds, hearts, and souls, we find that His words are sweet, satisfying our needs and inspiring our hearts.