SOMETIMES A LIGHT SURPRISES!

 

Saturday, March 28, 2026

 

SOMETIMES A LIGHT SURPRISES!

 

1 John 5:14-15

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

          God always gives us enough evidence for belief while withholding just enough to accommodate the doubter. A good case can usually be made in either direction so faith must make up the difference.

 

Sometimes a light surprises – William Cowper 1779

 

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord, who rises with healing in His wings:
When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining, to cheer it after rain.

 

In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say,
Let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.

 

It can bring with it nothing, but He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing will clothe His people, too;
Beneath the spreading heavens, no creature but is fed;
And He Who feeds the ravens will give His children bread.

 

Though vine nor fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice,
For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.

 

Thank you, Lord, for surprising, joyful answers to our prayers. AMEN

 

CONFLICT RESOLUTION!

 

Friday, March 27, 2026

 

CONFLICT RESOLUTION!

 

Ps 7:1

7:1 Shig-ga'-ion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

 

          The strange word at the very beginning of this verse is from the Hebrew shaagah which means “to wander.” So, this is a wandering song, a song written and sung while David is on the run from Saul. It is also a rambling song covering different subjects and made up of different parts. As we read it, we have the sense of continual interruption. David was always “bugging out!” It speaks of conflict. As for Cush the Benjamite, this probably refers to Saul himself, the son of Kish who was of the tribe of Benjamin.

 

          David had a collection of enemies, Saul, Goliath, Shimei and even his very own son, Absalom provided constant conflict in his life. For David, conflict was a way of life, and we are wise to pay attention when he speaks of it. Notice what he says when he speaks of his enemies. He pleads with the Lord to come and save him. He himself was a mighty warrior but he cries out to God for rescue. He asks God to judge between him and his enemies.

 

          A war is never quite finished until there is a clear winner and a complete surrender. So, it is with sinful us and a righteous God. Since we can’t hope to win in our conflict with God it is wise for us to surrender early and completely.

 

Eph 2:13-17

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

 

          Enmity is the Greek word echthra and literally means “the reason for opposition.” We were afar off or estranged but now we are made near because of the blood of Jesus. He has removed the very reason for opposition. He has slain the enmity so that the warring parties can be at peace.

 

Dear Lord, I sense enmity still in me. It takes me away from you and causes a separation. It is painful and bitter for me and I’m sure it is for you as well. Please come and destroy the enmity in me, the very reason for opposition. I surrender, Lord. AMEN

 

HAUNTINGS!

 

Thursday, March 26, 2026

 

HAUNTINGS!

 

2 Tim 4:14-15

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

 

          This is Paul’s second and final letter to young Timothy. It is his final communiqué recorded for us before his execution. He is in prison and making simple requests such as “please bring my coat and something to read but especially my Bible.” He is uncomfortable and alone with his thoughts. Those thoughts eventually bend toward haunting images of the past.

 

          Alexander was likely the man that the Paul was obliged to excommunicate in First Timothy 1:19 and 20 where we read “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” The memory of difficult days gone by still haunted Paul in his final days.

 

          Scars testify to us that wounds heal. Scars do not hurt us anymore unless we sit quietly and remember the trauma that caused them. Paul urged us to forget the past and focus on God’s present purpose and future blessings.

 

Phil 3:13-14

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: [I’ve not yet grasped what I’m reaching for] but this one thing I do, forgetting [to lose out of mind; to neglect] those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

          Are you haunted by past injuries that keep you from today’s purposes and tarnish future blessings? Begin now to intentionally “neglect” those thoughts and replace them with new ones. Paul’s final focus was his meeting with the Lord.

 

2 Tim 4:8

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

Dear Lord, replace the haunting of the past with the challenge of the present and the joy of the future. AMEN