Hope of Glory

This morning I woke up struggling with deep emotions. Sometimes the circumstances of life can push me into a dark pit of despair. I hurt for people who are hurting. My heart aches for those who are suffering physically, those who are grieving emotionally, and those who are battling spiritually. Is there any hope at all in the midst of intense pain, heart breaking sadness, and heart aching struggle?

As I poured my wrestling thoughts out to the Lord in confusion and grief, He then poured into me, in perspective and love. He reminded me where to fix my gaze:Set your mind on the things above not on the things that are on earth. (Col. 3:2)So often, when I focus on the darkness only, I forget about the Light. In the midst of situations that I cannot understand, I must recall to my mind, the Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." (Lam. 3:22-24)

So yes, there is hope; it's in Him and Him alone. Nothing on this earth makes sense without the Hope of Glory shining His redeeming light into it. So shine on, sweet Savior. Shine your light into our pain, into our sorrow, into our struggle. We need You.

As you can imagine, my session with my Wise Counselor was pretty intense this morning; but I now have His peace to push through. Just to make His point clear to me, I was blessed with a complimentary, God-designed picture to remind me where to fix my eyes in the midst of dark times. I looked out of my window to see this magnicent sunrise.

From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. Ps 113:3

Arise, shine; for your light has come. And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you, and His glory will appear upon you. Is. 60:1-2

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26)

Yes, in the midst of darkness, I will steadfastly gaze on the Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ.