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As the Advent season draws near I can think of nothing more relevant and inspiring for me, personally, than the study of Light. I came across this discourse on Light from a trusted author that I have followed for many years and it correlates exceptionally well into this space leading into my daily Advent devotions. I am providing the link to this study at the end of this post.
This time spent in the study of Light can be seen as an antidote to the darkness, and despair of the world and can also serve as an individual elixir to one's own personal darkness you may find yourself working through. The study of Light can change everything and help to remind all of us of God's eternal light that will never be put out and also help us be reminded of His name, Yahweh Nissi, "The Lord is my Banner." Banners were carried at the head of ancient armies or on a high hill to serve as a rallying point for troops during battle or to announce a victory already won. Studying the name of Yahweh Nissi and the correlation it holds to the scripture is a very worthy endeavor. Recently we watched a series called "All the Light We Cannot See". This series is set in the final days of WWII and tells the story of a blind French girl and a young German soldier whose paths cross as they both follow the path of the hidden "light" amongst overwhelming darkness. Among many lessons found in the story, there is the profound picture of an enduring "light" held within and not visible to the physical eye which connects those who carry it even in the insanity of the darkest times. How much we need Light in this fallen world. The Light of the gospel shining forth from within those who carry it acts as a beacon of hope to all those who walk in darkness no matter their state of being and no matter their reception of that light. We cannot falter in being light-bearers and we cannot allow the light within us to dim. As I approach this Advent season and the study of the Light of the World coming, I will also, not only be anticipating the second advent, but reminding myself to look, as a rallying cry, to Yahweh Nissi ~ The Lord is my Banner. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10 ESV Here is the link to Donna Snow's study of What is Light? www.artesianministries.org/faith/what-is-light-biblical-and-spiritual-characteristics/?fbclid=IwAR3Z1C9Ufjf1GMYcrXoK79EBfqM4hRYPrlHkmJ8zgeLLOw5cxhyeQG4JPww
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This lovely blog post written by Sarah Pueblo and shared by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors gives such a tender breakdown of Psalm 139. A worthy reminder of God's truth and grace. God’s Nearness in the Midst of a Cry for Justice and a Heart of Humility
Psalm 139 helps us to see that we need a bigger view of God so that we can think and act rightly in the difficult trials we face. Sarah Puebla • Jan 5, 2023 As my husband and I were reading through the Psalms, we encountered a Psalm that we had read many times and came to with much familiarity. Psalm 139 is one of “those” Psalms that we hear quoted often. Most people who have been believers for any length of time have heard or memorized those verses. You might have seen verse 14 written on a baby shower card or sung a worship song reflecting on verses 23 and 24. So, as we started reading this Psalm, I admit that I wasn’t as engaged as I was for others. Don’t we often approach Scripture this way? Well, the Lord had a lesson for me. In every counseling situation, there are immense trials that other people bring to the table. We, as counselors, are in the midst of heavy trials as we try to reach the hearts of others. Psalm 139 helps us to see that we need a bigger view of God so that we can think and act rightly in the difficult trials we face. So, as we look to this Psalm let’s see how the nearness of God helps us to cry out for justice and in turn, forces us to examine our own hearts to seek for change in thoughts, attitude, and actions. The Immanence of God Psalm 139 uses several pictures of how God draws near and reminds us of His sovereignty and constant presence. In verses 1-6 we see God’s omniscience. Wherever we are He is aware. He knows our thoughts. He searches out our paths. He guides our every step. Even before we speak He already knows what we will say. The Psalmist ends this section with an acknowledgement that he cannot even understand how all this can be. As we speak with our counselees about their heavy life trials, this truth can be convicting, but reassuring to their faith. Though we often sin in our responses to life, God’s grace is seen clearly as He pours out forgiveness when we confess what’s in our hearts and minds. Verses 7-12 reveal His omnipresence. This is a pure picture of beauty! We cannot flee from His presence. We can feel as if we are in the depths of despair and darkness, but He is there! We can be surrounded on all sides by waters and not only is He there—His right hand will lead and guide us. Darkness is dark. Yet, the Psalmist reminds us that God doesn’t even see the darkness. His light is so penetrating that it dispels all of it. Then in verses 13-16, David, the Psalmist, reminds us that God is Creator. Not just creator of the heavens and earth, but intricately involved in the details of our beginnings, as well as every event that unfolds in our lives, both good and bad. This can be a comforting passage, but for those who we minister to who have been sinned against, abused, neglected or involved in trials of any sort, this is a difficult concept to swallow. It means, in spite of all the trials, God was sovereign in their lives, and nothing happens apart from God’s eternal decrees. The nearness of God is a comfort, but we have to land in our acceptance of His “wonderful ways” even if they may not appear to be wonderful. And this is where trust emerges. “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.” David takes us back to a place of surrender and acknowledgement of who God is. He is: the creator and sustainer of the earth the revealer of man’s heart the perfect one who knows all things the keeper of our souls The Cry for Justice After this beautiful refrain, we are slammed in our faces with 4 verses that seem to belong somewhere else. As I contemplated how often I had read this Psalm in my life, I was awestruck at how I never even recognized or seemed to know these existed in this well-known poem. All of a sudden, David, the Psalmist spews out demands for justice. He speaks with harsh tones and, dare I say, even hatred. “Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God…. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.” He wants justice for himself and is asking for God to act! This is one of the most intimate sections of this Psalm. David is revealing his thoughts that he acknowledged God already knew. But he honestly spoke them to God. He didn’t just let them ruminate in his mind. This brings great comfort to those of us that read this beloved passage and need to intertwine our thoughts of who God is and what He has allowed in our lives. After David spoke these words to His loving Lord, he did not just leave it there. A Heart of Humility David knew, as we do, that our hearts can go astray so quickly. We can be overcome by emotions that rob us of the truth we know. We can go from high highs to low lows in a matter of minutes. So, he leads us to the important task of examining our hearts and motives. In effect, he says, “God, I know you created me and sustain me. I acknowledge you know all things. You are always with me. You have ordained my days from birth to death. BUT GOD, look at this injustice. Look at how I have been treated. I want you to do something. I want you to act. BUT GOD, I know my own heart can be callous at times and go my own way. So, help me to accept the glorious truth of your abiding presence even in times of pain. And keep me searching my own heart to truly know where I am sinning in the process. I can be so blinded to my own sin. Keep me on your path of righteousness.” And this is the heart of humility, where our Lord wants us all to sojourn and camp out. Bring your honest thoughts and cries to God, and then, let the truth of who He is shape the way you think and affect the way you feel. So, let us encourage those we counsel to walk through each of these legs of the journey, seeking to bring our Good Shepherd glory. And we can do this through praise (vs. 1-18), lament (vs. 19-22), and confession (vs. 23-24). In our praise, we see His beauty; in our lament, we see His strength, and in our confession, we see His mercy. As the puritan Richard Sibbes famously wrote, “We have this for a foundation truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.” May the God who is all-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful sustain and sanctify every believer until the glory of Christ becomes sweeter than the absence of affliction on this side of heaven. *Sarah Puebla is a wife, an adoptive mom of four, and a certified biblical counselor. Grateful to finally be getting to my Fall deco this year. The aromas of the season fill my sunroom as I lift the lids and although the temps are still weighing heavy of summer here seeing all of the core colors of autumn in these boxes is a bright reminder that the cooler temps of the season won't linger much longer and soon the auburn leaves will be dancing through the air. I love all things Fall ~ friends and family around bonfires with heartfelt conversation, the beauty of leaves flying through the air, sipping a cup of hot cocoa topped high with marshmallows, piling leaves on my garden to mulch and prepare for next Spring, sweaters and ankle boots, and as Olof from Frozen would say ~ warm hugs from those we love, and of course, football.
Every season brings a time of reminiscing as I go through my boxes of decor for my home. This year as I pulled out two small porcelain bears decorated with fall colors and with most of the paint missing I couldn't help but be reminded of my young daughter many years ago (now grown) bringing them to me as a gift to add to my Fall decor. One of my favorite moments is going through the bags of thankful leaves that have been organized and kept separately in bags for each year that have hung on our Thankful Tree each year. Reading through these leaves gives a captivating reminder of just how much things in this short life can change and to truly be grateful for each moment. Just like the leaves that swirl around every Fall... ~life changes~ These paper leaves had their time on our Thankful Tree through the years and will eventually be too old to read but the memories they contain will still be traced through the thoughts and hearts of those whose lives these memories touched. There is an ageless-ness in memories for ones who carry them in their hearts. As I sit this year around the fire sipping a hot drink and conversing in heart level talks, I will be looking a little deeper into the faces of those I love and remembering to cherish each memory. As C.S. Lewis wrote in this quote from the book The Great Divorce, "One gets glimpses, even in our country, of that which is ageless--heavy thought in the face of an infant, and frolic childhood in that of a very old man.” This Fall ~ I will be looking for the ageless glimpses ~ but also reminding myself as I pause a moment and take in the leaves floating through the air that, yes, life changes, sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad, but beyond this short life there is rest and hope in an ageless, eternal God. ~ Happy Fall ~ Debbie |