Beyond the rocks (2) ......

I'm the man standing on the rock. Staring into the horizon. Wait! Where is the horizon? It was there a moment ago!! And what's that touching my toes?! ... Water.... The water's rising. But I'm on the rock. Doesn't that mean I should see beyond the rock? I close my eyes... Take a deep breath... I picture myself seeing the horizon. I imagine the warmth of the sun exploding through the clouds hanging over me. I imagine the goodness of God. I do not lose heart. And I thank God that in the midst of the storm, my house is still standing!

Funny how, God will reveal things to you when the sun is shining and you receive them with joy. But when it rains, you look at the revelations, wondering where the truth is in your situation. Can I be real? We don't always see the sun shine! Theres a really good quote I remember. Don't forget in the dark what God told you in light.

I can't see the light at the moment, but I remember what it looks like and I remember His promises. David said I would have lost heart, had I not believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living! The problem is that in the midst of the storm, standing on the rock, we forget the sun used to shine. I love this quote. Don't forget in the dark what God told you a light!

Fear has a nasty habit of crippling and blinding us. Recently I have been meditating on Psalms 23. There is a verse that reads 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil'. Now I know I'm having problems when even in the light I am fearing evil. But I know I have had an awful habit of fearing evil. 'What if?' plagues my mind and this common disease takes delight in capturing its prisoners. So you know when the clouds overshadow, my mind is screaming, here you go - a reason to fear evil! And I am worried about the worse that could happen. But this scripture is teaching that in the midst of the storm, I don't need to fear evil! In fact, the writer says it with such conviction! 'I will fear no evil'! This has encouraged, yet challenged me. I will fear no evil.

Fear reflects our expectations. I expect the water to drown me, and so I am afraid. We shouldn't fear evil, because God is with us. He loves us and there is no fear in love - perfect love casts out all fear. So I will fear no evil when I understand the Lord is my shepherd and He loves me. Because He loves me and expects the best, I should expect the best as well, and not the worst. I can be real about where I am, but walk by faith that the best is coming. Even with the water surrounding me, about to overtake me....the best is yet to come....I believe I will see the goodness of God!