Maranatha Christian Center

Devotional: To everything there is a season…and the only constant is the love of God.

It’s a joy and also a challenge to maintain our walk of faith, both in natural and spiritual ways. I’ve suffered loss during this life…as most of us have, in one way or another. A baby, a parent, a close friend, an esteemed pastor. I’m not comfortable with grief.  I’m sure that nobody likes it, but I have a very hard time “being with it” or allowing myself to express it…or even talk to God about it.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” And then in verse 4, “A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance…” 

 

I’m reminded of the great warrior and king, David, in 1 Samuel 30:3-8 when he and his men returned to their camp at Ziklag and found that everything was burnt up by fire, and all of their wives and children had been taken captive.  David and the other men “lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.”  That’s a lot of crying from an army of men…it must have been awful.  And to top it off, David “was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him because the soul of all the people was grieved…” but then David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.  He found enough comfort and peace of mind to inquire of the Lord about pursuing the enemy and, as we know, he recovered all!

In the beatitudes, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

I sometimes fear that if I allow myself to feel the emotions of a particular loss, that I’ll be turning on a spigot of grief that I won’t be able to turn off.  I also worry that if I don’t let some of that grief out that I might blow a cork, and that’s not good either. Grief is a tricky emotion as it can sneak up on you when you least expect it.  When I get hit with it, the pain of many previous losses seems to all come flooding in, like it was stored up inside and it can become a tidal wave of despair.

Each time I’ve experienced a loss, my trust in the Lord was challenged.  And then fear tried to wiggle its way in.  We know that “fear” is the absence of trust, so it’s a battle of heart and mind, and I yearn for the peace of God.

Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Psalm 27:1)

 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The scripture here teaches us to rely on God, not on our own mental acuity.  And to be obedient, to praise Him and be grateful, even when we don’t feel like it.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100:4-5)

Philippians 4:7 encourages us that it’s the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, and has the ability to guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

I’ve experienced this as a deep peace that is beyond human comprehension and this is what brings me comfort and love in a palpable way.  It’s beyond our rationale and it requires trust for the future which we cannot see.

So, it’s during my worship of the Lord that I am comforted and healed of my emotional hurts, and that’s the place where my mourning turns to joy and causes me to dance in the light of Abba’s love.

“You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”  (Psalm 30:11-12 AMP)

Some of the lyrics are here:
I’m caught up in Your presence
I just want to sit here at Your feet
I’m caught up in this holy moment
I never wanna leave
Oh, I’m not here for blessings
Jesus, You don’t owe me anything
More than anything that You can do
I just want You