Overwhelming!

"To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy. 'What gain is there in my destruction . . .? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord my help.' You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy (Psalm 8:8-11)."

Last Sunday (February 5, 2012) Apostle Ricky Nutt declared: "We are under the hand of God-never the hand of Satan. God gives us favor--even when in trouble of our own making. God gives us the ability to shine like light in a dark place because of our faith in His work in us through Jesus Christ." 

Cardinal John Henry Newman penned these words in the late 19th century:

         Lead kindly light, amid th' encircling gloom. Lead Thou me on; 

         The night is dark and I am far from home; Lead Thou me on: 

         Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see--the distant scene, 

         One step enough for me.

Sometimes it seems as if wherever you look, there is nothing but misery and pain, grief and loss, disappointment and longing. Some things we do to ourselves and others just happen because this world is a fallen place-not our final home. Life is not going to be truly "wonderful" for anyone on this planet.

In philosophical discussions of how to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number, it is said that every act we hope will make things better, simultaneously makes it worse for someone else. But we don't have to give in to gloom.

Even though it is always "encircling us," God is present in us, around us--traveling with us as the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire guided Israel in its 40 year journey to promise. In that story Moses was confronted by the Hebrew people's constant complaints and grumbling. They were hungry, lonely, often troubled by illness, pain and death. We, like them, want God's future NOW. But faith requires us to follow the Light "through the gloom." To call out to the One has prepared an ongoing party for us, even in the most painful moments of our existence.

When we call on God--not on friends, family, angels, spirits, even our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5.6)--but on God, the promise is a new "pep in our step," so much so that even one as rhythm-less as I, will break out into dancing. 

Paul wrote to the beleaguered saints of the faith community at Philippi, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE! Do not have anxiety about anything, but prayerfully petition God concerning your needs with thanks (because he already knows what you need and has provided it). And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus . . . ." He then concludes: "And my God will meet all your needs according to HIS GLORIOUS RICHES in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4, 19)."