Do You See What Is Going On Down Here?

I stepped out to take a photo of the full moon night before last. Bringing it close allows me to see the finer markings. There is that little spot in the bottom that looks like this magnificent orb was blown into form like a piece of fine glass. “Lord,” I whispered, “standing there in the dark, do You see what’s going on down here?” What a question to ask the creator  of the universe. Desperate days call for desperate questions!

Some days it feels like we have been stolen away to another place. Not home. Not our beloved country. We think we have seen and heard everything and then the rising of the sun brings more “stuff.” Coarse words, corruption, leaks and more leaks. Lying and storytelling on a scope that boggles the mind. We all have concerns of our own families and now we are worried that humanity has gone completely mad, lost its way. Seems we are on track to destroy all that  has  been fought for since the founding of our great country. It is enough to make you want to throw in the towel. Go somewhere out of reach of all the noise. Wait until it is over and the dust settles. Let someone else take care of the hard stuff. But running is not an option. So, to find some calm I step into the darkness and take shots of a beautiful God created orb that gives light to the night. Come back in and pick up His word that also gives off light and wisdom to the darkness that is hanging in the air.

I knew the answer to my question, before I whispered it there in the dark. Of course Father, You know. Of course You care. Of course You have never let go of control. You see the evil that began so long ago in that beautiful place you created for the first man and woman to live, still wreaking havoc and chaos.  It was gonna be state of the art, that garden. Protection from knowing evil. Then that evil dweller stepped in and wooed them away from it. Urged them into a bite of disobedience…The rest is history.

So, Father, how do we navigate? I don’t think Your plan is for believers to run and hide. For us to stick  our heads in the sand and pretend we don’t know what is going on here, until it is over. Hoping for the best. That is not how our light shines, is it? Your twelve ran and hid for a short time, after the stone was rolled, closing Your Son off from the world. They ran and hid, fearing for their very lives. Scared they no longer had a voice in the world. No longer had a message to share. The voice that gave them boldness and courage was laying wrapped in grave clothes, behind a massive stone, in a dark cave.

Fast forward to now Father. History tells us a few things. Jesus did not stay in that dark cave. He did exactly as He said He would. He spent some days post resurrection walking and showing himself to those first twelve believers and hundreds of others. What they witnessed in those days after the tomb gave them boldness to meet the world head on. Trouble was going to be a part of everyday life. Decisions would have to be made. But, they could not slink away and be silent. They went about delivering the message they were commissioned to deliver. Fearlessly, they walked through one community after another with the Good News! Jesus is alive. He is coming back. Be prepared. Be light and salt where you are planted. Be fearless. Speak up. Fight against the enemy’s plans. Lift up our swords and fight. Silence is not an option.

I needed that talk, the reminder that nothing happens that You do not see it. I also know that You won this battle long ago. This is no time to hide and pretend that we don’t see what is going on. Put blinders on and hope that it all somehow comes out okay.  Let someone else take care of the messy, hard stuff and stay in the corner praying with blinders on.  It is time to adjust our armor and prepare. It might get kinda scary, but Your word says that You go before and behind us. We cannot lose.

~Scripture For Today~

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. (NASB)

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (NASB)

Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you’ He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (NASB)

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (NASB)

~Prayer For Today~

Hello Father! Thank You that You never leave us. That You know the beginning from the end. That we are the head and not the tail. That You give us courage and boldness as a nation of believers, to do what is right.  Remove the complacency that got us to this place. Enable us to rise and be heard, loud, Lord. May we hear the rattle of armor as we rise to victory. Forgive us of the sins that have brought us to this place. In Jesus’ name. Amen.