photo: CCO public domain graphic: Martha G. Brady
“With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
with the purified you deal purely,
and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
You save a humble people,
but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.
For you are my lamp, O Lord,
and my God lightens my darkness.
For by you I can run against a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
This God—his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.“For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
This God is my strong refuge
and has made my way blameless.
He made my feet like the feet of a deer
and set me secure on the heights.II Samuel 22:26-34
Do you have days that seem dark? It’s good to know who your GOD is in general, but it is also good to know that He specifically lightens the darkness.
Some days lately, darkness has settled on me like a black cloud! Yes, it is good to know that GOD is merciful, blameless, and pure. It is helpful to know that He saves the humble and brings down the haughty. But when that dark cloud settles over me, I need light…desperately! I can’t see anything in those dark times, particularly truth!
GOD’s truth is my refuge
GOD’s truth is that He is my strong refuge. He is my rock. He has set me secure on the heights. But the truth is, without light and illumination, I will sit in my darkness. I won’t get to any of those other places. I’ll keep telling myself the following lies:
- Nothing will change.
- GOD doesn’t want what is best for me.
- GOD doesn’t love me.
- GOD is disappointed in me when I fail to live up to expectations.
- and on and on the lies go!
The truth is that He loves me enough to die for me but not enough to let me keep living a self-centered life!
The truth is that He loves me enough to die for me but not enough to let me keep living a self-centered life! Share on XHe will allow circumstances into my life that will cause me to realize I must depend on Him for life. I need Him to live in ways that will please Him. Without Him, I can’t glorify Him. It isn’t possible.
Thank you, Martha. I needed to be reminded, who has conquered darkness and whose shelter I rest in. Life has a way of creeping in and encroaching on the truth of the depths of His amazing love. I appreciated reading this post today. Bless you.
it definitely does wendy:) it happens for all of us. it’s one of those basics that i write about often b/c i forget it too!
I need to know that He shines a light in the shadows. I need to remember it everyday. We’re most certainly synced in this truth Martha! Blessings! I love your new space. We’ll have to talk about that kind of thing another time. happy Monday!
it’s so true lisha. the fact that He is the Light of the world isn’t new in the old testament. it starts at creation and pops up all through Scripture. it’s even there in the lightning on mount sinai when the law was given. don’t you think it is part of justice and mercy and what we are here to do as part of His kingdom here on earth in a dark world? the only way that justice will come is when He shines it by His Light. of course, we need to do our part as well, but with the light of Christ and the gospel, it won’t be true justice or mercy.
the changes i made here are so minor you wouldn’t believe it:) two photographs changed the look of my blog hugely! i’m so excited. the fist bump university work is having an effect on other things on the blog as i slowly plow through it. i’m less overwhelmed now. it took 2 days! now back to my real life:)
I do have times of darkness and you the truth you write above is that God does not let us stay stuck in that darkness. Your reminder today as well as God’s word are the truths that set us free.
Thank you for beginning my day with these truths from God! Hope you are doing well, Martha!
true mary. so encouraging isn’t it?
Enlarge our vision, Lord!
yes, michele, enlarge our vision of who He is! 🙂