Without fail, I remember more Good Fridays with rain than those with sunshine. As I watched the rain pour down and listened to the thunder shout this morning, I realized that although the sun may not be shining…the Son IS shining!!! The eternal light brought forth through the death of Jesus on the cross so many years ago, will NEVER be extinguished. There are those that choose to deny Him now and the sacrifice made by Him for us on the cross, but one day “every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord”. I long for that day when the naysayers will be hushed, when the ridiculers will ridicule no longer, when the doubters will know the truth, and when He will finally get the praise He’s so worthy of. As for me now, I am amazed that He loved me enough to die such a horrific death for sinful me. And…to think…He did it for many, but He would have done it for only one! WOW – what a Savior!!!
Good Friday
Got sheep?
As I’ve written before, I’ve kicked up my scripture memorization habit a knotch this year. In doing so, I’m memorizing two scriptures each month along with thousands of other “Siestas” that follow the Living Proof Ministries Blog (Beth Moore). I can’t tell you how much this has blessed me. Not only am I “hiding His Word in my heart”, but God has allowed me to share these scriptures with others at the most providential times. I’ve allowed God to lead me directly to each scripture He’s wanted me to memorize, and it’s as if each scripture has been intentionally meant for me to share with another. The one that continues to pop up over and over is from the little known minor prophet, Habakkuk. Now, Habakkuk is usually not the book of the Bible that most people turn to when searching the Word for scripture verses to memorize like they might the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, etc. However, there is a very powerful group of verses towards the end of the book that is especially now bringing comfort to many people in light of the current economic times we’re living in…
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
I love how Habakkuk made a choice in spite of the circumstances or perhaps because of the circumstances. Either way- Habakkuk chose to be joyful, to trust in God who saves. He knew that looking directly at the situation provided no hope, but looking above the situation to the One who provides hope is where joy can be found. It’s in those times of uncertainty, times of struggle, times when we have “no sheep”, times when we see clouds before sunshine…it’s in those particular times, that intentionally looking to find joy in God alone can get us through each day.