"O, Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief." Psalm 143:1
The year 2013 has sought to hold my struggling head beneath the water's surface since day one. The cruel, icy fingers of hidden secrets revealed began their work on Jan 1, when I found out the past sufferings of a loved one. It was evil and vile and irreconcilable in my mind. My heart and mind were tormented. I felt a cold hand push me under even as I struggled against it.A few days later, another hand--a strong, hopeless-feeling one--joined the first and, together, they sought to push my head further into the dark, airless depths as my own personal medical drama began to unfold. Even as I write this my soul wants to cower in panic and my eyes flood because fear has almost always accompanied the unknown in my life.
God, where are you? Grab my hand here, please!
Terror. Guilt. Confusion. Hopelessness. These have been my companions these first weeks of the new year. Some of the time, anyway. They are "creepy" companions. They creep into my life when I lose focus on the One who has defeated them.
Jesus Christ, the Word, is that One.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1
But then, as I opened my Bible and, choking back my fears and doubts and dreads, forced myself to read the words of life there, the creeps began to flee! The Light of the World shone and scared them away. For awhile. Those creeps are persistent, but my Jesus and His Word bring victory every time!
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
I've been once again reminded through these trials just how vital it is for a Christ-follower to be reading His Word. It is a major lifeline! To read it, to study it, to meditate upon it--to do these things for our spirits is like breathing fresh air in the sunshine is for our bodies. Even better, because the Word of God is not tainted by anything!
The comfort of rediscovering verses I have highlighted and cross-references I have marked in my Bible is like none other. Remembering the situations that led me to cling to some of those verses brings hope and reaffirms in my mind that my God is more reliable, loving and strong than anyone else ever could be. He's working everything for good whether or not I feel like it!
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
Everyone has times of deep sorrow or scary circumstances. If we stay in His Word during the good times, we will be helped so much in the bad times, our diligence paying off big time! God's Word is living and powerful to accomplish much. Let's encourage each other to read, study and meditate on God's Word!
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Maybe you haven't been a student of the Word, and don't know where to start? Or would you just like some fresh ideas? I love this video by Courtney at Women Living Well. She gives some very practical and non-complicated tips.
Would you like some accountability with other ladies? Check out the ladies' Bible studies available at SGC! Click here or on the "Bible Studies" tab above this post.
Study on, ladies! :)
