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Listen while you read: "Holy Spirit Truth Divine"1
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Acts 1:4b – Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. (NIV)
Mark 16:19 – After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. (NIV)
When the light returns here in the far north of Canada after the long, dark days of winter, people feel such relief. Another cold, dark season is behind us. The long days of light, up to 22 hours of it, are spread before us.
Jesus went through a long, dark time from the moment when He was arrested in the garden until He called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." And then, He breathed his last.
The disciples also weathered a great period of darkness upon the death of Christ. Yet after their times of darkness, a great time of relief occurred. Christ rose from the dead, ascended back into heaven, and sat at the right hand of God, in perfect light and holiness. And the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, went forth in great power and confidence to teach, heal, and preach the gospel wherever they were led.
Times of darkness are never easy nor encouraging for anyone. And yet, we are all called from time to time to endure them. When we do, I have found that one of the best ways to successfully navigate them is to remember this promise from God as found in the Scriptures:
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
Trusting in the right thing or the right person changes everything when it comes to walking through and enduring the dark times of life successfully. When our trust is placed in the solid foundation of God's truth as found in the Scriptures and the undeniable Rock of the person of Jesus Christ, Who will never leave nor forsake us, we, too, are empowered, just like Christ and His disciples, to walk in obedience and faith until the day of relief comes upon us.
So today, may each of us, whether we are walking through a dark time or not, choose to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. May we acknowledge Him in all our ways so that He will make our paths straight. Let us trust Him, and He will lead us to the very best destination that God has prepared for us, a destination that will bring us relief as our darkness transforms into His wonderful light.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that we can trust in You and know that we will never be let down by You. For You are loyal and steadfast, the Rock of all ages. Empower us to have the faith to trust in You with all of our heart, to lean not upon our own understanding, but in all our ways to acknowledge You with joy, knowing that as we choose to do so, You will indeed lead us straight to the best destination for us. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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Amen to that dear Lynne.
Blessings.
A beautiful post, so encouraging and uplifting! Thanks and blessings, Lynne!
Thank you, Lynne. Trusting in Him is always the best option, if we would only choose it.
Amen, Lynne, God be the glory! Thanks for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
I am always blessed by your God given words, but today’s words brought hope to my darkness. I know what you say is so true, but it helps to be reminded in the darkest of days. Thank you for sharing your gift of writing.
Hello Lynne. Praying that the move continues to go well and that you are settling in with the little ones and the animals. As always, your writings inspire. Thanks for sharing your gift.
Blessings.
Thank you so much, Lynne, for this wonderful message on Pentecost Sunday. My mother quoted those two verses from Proverbs 3 every night as she tucked me into bed and your prayer today, including them is so relevant to my situation.
May the LORD bless you as you continue in His service.
Good morning, Lynne, and many thanks for another of your very mindful devotional writings. The scripture you quoted from Proverbs 3:5-6 is certainly one to absorb and repeat constantly in our daily lives. I pray you are getting well settled in your new surroundings and many blessings for these special writings you do.
Hello Lynne
Your words, and those scriptures, bring healing to our innermost being.
What encouragement the Lord provides for us; thank you for being a part of that.
I hope you are feeling more and more at home in your new home. God bless you!
Good morning, Lynne,
Great message because we all have darker times in our lives where our faith helps us to get through until the light shines once again.
I have never experienced 22 hours of sunlight. Doesn’t happen in Toronto. Of course, I have not experienced the longer times of darkness either.
Enjoy the light. Blessings.
Thanks for your meditation, Lynne. When both our boys were addicted to drugs and alcohol, we encouraged them to do the next right thing. I think God places a knowledge of that within us and it is up to us to choose to do it. They are both in recovery now and have been for many years. You need a big enough reason to change. Sometimes it comes directly from God. Sometimes it comes from God but through others. Thank God we can change our lives around and make something good of them.
Good morning, Lynne,
Trusting you are all settled in and the animals are also. Thank you for this reminder that God is always with us no matter the storm.
Things here are good, new couple I met are in love with Jesus, she was a chaplain in the States and we hit it off when we met, she speaks English and it is so refreshing to be able to share our God experiences and knowledge.
God bless.
Thanks Lynne. I need to remember this always. And I also noticed that someone put in a prayer request for you, your family, and animals to be safe from the wildfires. Oh I am so sorry that you are near this. I have prayed many prayers for the fires to be put out with rains and I will continue to ask for your safety also.