1/2/2020

Psalm 91:13-16

Relent, O Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, 
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

As we turn from one year to the next, we realize that days, even years of affliction may have passed in our lifetimes. The older we become the truer this feels. With each year that passes, we mark time on a calendar as though it were a grand opportunity to a new beginning, as though we have graduated from one year to the next leaving the disappointments, pain and failures of our yesterdays behind us. A new year, with a new beginning brings hope, because hope is what we are searching for. Hope deferred makes the heart sick.

Yet God has not left us without hope, even in our times of long-suffering or affliction. He has given us a new day that is called today! Life is given to us one day at a time, gift-wrapped in a package of 24 hours. Each day is a new beginning because God’s compassions are new every morning. His unfailing love wakes us in the morning and satisfies us. God’s breath fills our lungs offering us a new day to live and the grand opportunity to heal and learn from yesterdays’ difficulties, wounds and mistakes. We have the opportunity to do things differently today. We have the opportunity to make a difference, today.

Yesterday turned into night with the splendor of a sunset all over the world, leaving its heavenly mark of beauty and color across the horizon, in clear view of all who would see it. It was God’s gracious kiss goodnight to mankind and the end of the light of day. The day ends in darkness, under the moon and starlit sky and we are given time to rest, because He wants us to rest. We sleep, to rest, recover, and rejuvenate in the darkness of nighttime. The darkness allows us the time to stop. It allows us to be quiet and still our hearts and minds. It allows our bodies the time to heal. We awaken to a new dawn, a new day, given that we may sing for joy and be glad in its gift.

For as many years as we have seen trouble God’s deeds have been right there for the viewing, if only we would see them. His glorious splendor is always being revealed in our midst, if only we would look! We were never promised our pain would pass quickly or our suffering would cease swiftly. Every season of suffering brings with it submission of our selves. Which is exactly where the lessons grow; in the fertile soil of submission. It is in this place our sanctification begins.

Sincerely,

Susan