Wrote these words at the start of this 12 months. So much has happened in our world since then. And possibly loads has happened in your life too. Now, greater than ever before, we’d like to listen to God’s healing whispers for a broken world.
His reminder to my heart early one morning, that amidst the dark, He still is hope. He was then, He is now, and He will likely be endlessly…
“Got up early this one morning, just before dawn, headed to the beach to look at the sunrise. Winds were blowing, sand shifting beneath my feet as I walked, waves strong and fierce hit hard against the shoreline. The sky was a sheet of blue gray, clouded over by a storm that loomed close, only pierced through by the glimmer of gorgeous light that would not be contained. It still shone through. Hues of orange and yellow. Light of hope against changing tides, shifting sands, and stormy times. That’s who He is to us in life.
Nothing ever stays the identical on this world. Things change. People move. Time goes by. Kids grow up. We may experience deep or unexpected loss. And sometimes our footsteps falter on things we have trusted so very much, but really aren’t meant to totally support us. We cannot simply depend on what surrounds us, even the individuals who we love most, because to totally depend on one thing or person signifies that they’ll never leave or change.
That tiny sliver of sunshine amidst the grey this morning, spoke volumes to my heart. When we will not find our way at times, when the tide has turned and the struggles seem fierce. When we feel overwhelmed, and the winds blow strong…He’s still there. Hope shines through. It could also be only a glimmer however it’s enough, to whisper His words of truth, “I see you, you might be never alone. I’ll carry you thru the fiercest of times, into places of peace, and can make your footsteps strong.”
I watched the birds soar within the wind, seemingly fearless and daring, finding power within the gusts that blew, to go higher, stronger, bolstered by the gale force winds.
Sure foundation. Wind beneath our wings. Whisper of peace that calms the waves and storm. Glimmer of sunshine in a dark world. He is our Hope.”
Jesus got here to this earth when the skies were black. Such a deep, symbolic picture of what He got here to do.
Light of hope ushered straight in, against the backdrop of darkness. Shining so brightly in a world that sought to destroy His message and power.
But you may’t make a King stop shining. You cannot deny the might of the One makes the sun to rise. You can never destroy the solid Rock, our firm foundation, even amidst the changing times. Because He never changes. He’s stable, and sure, steadfast, unwavering. He conquered death to set the captives free. He reigns endlessly and graces us with power to live strong, daring lives.
Light bringer.
Hope instiller.
Peace giver.
Don’t ever doubt or fear that He’s not with you. He hasn’t lost control. He hasn’t forgotten you. Not ever.
We don’t need to be afraid of the storms, uncertainty of the long run, or changing times.
For He knows our way, and He goes before us. Pure light shining greatness against skies of dark.
Hope rises most powerfully in stormy gales. He still whispers His calm assurance today…
“Peace.”
7 Verses of His Hope and Peace, to remind you, He is with you:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, in order that chances are you’ll overflow with hope by the ability of the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 15:13
“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.” Ps. 40:2
“Even to your old age and grey hairs I’m he, I’m he who will sustain you. I even have made you and I’ll carry you; I’ll sustain you and I’ll rescue you.” Is. 46:4
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…” Heb. 6:19
“But those that hope within the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they are going to run and never grow weary, they are going to walk and never be faint.” Is. 40:31
“I’m the sunshine of the world. Whoever follows me won’t ever walk in darkness, but may have the sunshine of life.” John 8:12
“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the ocean, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was an excellent calm.” Mark 4:39
Debbie McDaniel is a author, pastor’s wife, and mom to a few amazing kids (and numerous pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead’s Facebook page for day by day encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also on Twitter and at her blog debbiemcdaniel.com.
Photo credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/slavasam777
