Post by mommadee48 on Aug 25, 2021 15:08:27 GMT -5
GOD SEES HER. READ (Psalm 57)
1)"Terrible and Beautiful Things"
Fear can leave us frozen. We know all the reasons to be afraid-everything that's hurt us in the past, everything that could easily do so again. So sometimes we're stuck- unable to go back; afraid to move forward.
I just can't. I'm not strong enough to handle being hurt like that again.
I'm captivated by how author Frederick Buechner describes God's grace: like a gentle voice that says, "Here is the world. " Terrible and beautiful things will happen. Don't be afraid. "I am with you".
Terrible things will happen. Like the psalmist David, we carry our own stories of when evil surrounded us or when, like "ravenous beasts", others wounded us (Psalm 57:4). And we grieve; we cry out (vv.1-2).
But because GOD is with us, beautiful things can happen. As we run to HIM with our hurts and fears, we find ourselves carried by a love far greater than anyone's power to harm us (vv.1-3). HIS love is a solid refuge where our hearts find healing (vv.1,7). Soon we'll find ourselves with renewed courage, ready to greet the day with a song of HIS faithfulness (vv.8-10).
GOD SEES HER, READ (Jeremiah 31:16-26)
2)"HOPE in DARKNESS"
According to legend, Qu Yuan was a wise, patriotic Chinese government official during the time of the Warring States period (475-246 BC). He tried repeatedly to warn his king about a threat that would destroy the country, but the king rejected his advice. Eventually, Qu Yuan was exiled. When he learned about the fall of his beloved country to the foe he had warned about, he ended his life.
Qu Yuan's life resembles some aspects of the life of the prophet Jeremiah. He too served kings who scorned his warnings, and his country was ravaged. However, while Qu Yuan gave in to despair, Jeremiah found genuine hope.
Why the difference?
Jeremiah knew the LORD who offers the only true hope. "There is hope for your descendants," GOD had assured HIS prophet. "Your children will return to their own land"(Jeremiah 31:17). Although Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC, it was later rebuilt (see Nehemiah 6:15).
We all find ourselves in dire situations. But when life knocks us down, we can look up. GOD is on the throne! HE holds our days in HIS hands, and HE holds us close to HIS heart.
1)"Terrible and Beautiful Things"
Fear can leave us frozen. We know all the reasons to be afraid-everything that's hurt us in the past, everything that could easily do so again. So sometimes we're stuck- unable to go back; afraid to move forward.
I just can't. I'm not strong enough to handle being hurt like that again.
I'm captivated by how author Frederick Buechner describes God's grace: like a gentle voice that says, "Here is the world. " Terrible and beautiful things will happen. Don't be afraid. "I am with you".
Terrible things will happen. Like the psalmist David, we carry our own stories of when evil surrounded us or when, like "ravenous beasts", others wounded us (Psalm 57:4). And we grieve; we cry out (vv.1-2).
But because GOD is with us, beautiful things can happen. As we run to HIM with our hurts and fears, we find ourselves carried by a love far greater than anyone's power to harm us (vv.1-3). HIS love is a solid refuge where our hearts find healing (vv.1,7). Soon we'll find ourselves with renewed courage, ready to greet the day with a song of HIS faithfulness (vv.8-10).
GOD SEES HER, READ (Jeremiah 31:16-26)
2)"HOPE in DARKNESS"
According to legend, Qu Yuan was a wise, patriotic Chinese government official during the time of the Warring States period (475-246 BC). He tried repeatedly to warn his king about a threat that would destroy the country, but the king rejected his advice. Eventually, Qu Yuan was exiled. When he learned about the fall of his beloved country to the foe he had warned about, he ended his life.
Qu Yuan's life resembles some aspects of the life of the prophet Jeremiah. He too served kings who scorned his warnings, and his country was ravaged. However, while Qu Yuan gave in to despair, Jeremiah found genuine hope.
Why the difference?
Jeremiah knew the LORD who offers the only true hope. "There is hope for your descendants," GOD had assured HIS prophet. "Your children will return to their own land"(Jeremiah 31:17). Although Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC, it was later rebuilt (see Nehemiah 6:15).
We all find ourselves in dire situations. But when life knocks us down, we can look up. GOD is on the throne! HE holds our days in HIS hands, and HE holds us close to HIS heart.