So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Jesus (Matthew 10:26-28)
Now the lights are on. See I was never gone...Colton Dixon, "Never Gone"
There are many things I read in the Bible that I don't immediately "get". What You say to me in the dark? What does that mean God? Now that I've been through so many "dark times" I know exactly what that means. I've walked through the valley of the shadow of death and through the fire of Bipolar Disorder. I've seen a life dragged away by the enemy. I know what it feels like to feel hopelessly "stuck" in situations. I know what it feels like to fail. I've felt the shame and guilt from wrong choices but I've also experienced the mercy and forgiveness of a loving God who pities His children. My name is written on His hand. I'm His princess and He will NEVER leave me!
I've been to the point in my marriage where I saw no hope for the future with my hubby but it didn't work to live with no hope. In my journal, May 6, 2006: "I've resigned myself to the thought that we'll be divorced in a few years". I thought, "We can just stay together for the kids until they're done with school, there's no way this is gona work- I will go to nursing school so I can support myself. I don't want to remarry. I'll be a missionary to South America" I've discovered something about HOPE- it is my VITAL NECESSITY and God wants us to have it! He so wants us to trust Him. If you don't believe me, just read Hebrews 11. I could not survive with this bad attitude very long! I was miserable until I changed! I was the only person I could change. I had given up on changing Bob---will he ever finish this house? I don't know and what's glorious is IT DOESN'T MATTER anymore! In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter, what does matter is the HOME/FAMILY we're building. Hey, I have a mansion just over the hilltops and you know what?! IT IS FINISHED! Hallelujah!
God even got me a job on Thursdays (Well most Thursdays) where I sit with my friend Fran and watch Daystar and study my Bible all day! He is truly amazing! Then I hear this man named Charles Capps preach from II Kings 4 about the Shunammite woman who would house the prophet Elisha when he was in town. He prays to God and God gives her a son but he gets sick and dies. So she lays him on the prophet's bed and tells her husband she's going to see Elisha and he's like, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.” And she said, “It is well.” 2 Kings 4:23 What faith!! And I said, Wait! That's what I believe God said to me in the midst of our storm! He said, it's going to be alright, he's going to be fine, TRUST ME! Keep praying! Keep believing!
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
So what do I want to "preach from the housetops"?:
1) God is real! I've felt His presence through the fire and in the valley.
2) He's NOT mad at you- He's MAD ABOUT YOU!
3) He wants to take your mess and turn it into a message
4) Yes there is "Victory in Jesus"
5) If God could keep Bob and I together for 27 years, to me, that means He still does miracles!
6) You don't have to live in bondage, "Children drop your chains and sing!"(Tenth Avenue North)
7) There is HOPE in Jesus!
Oswald Chambers says,
What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). "My Utmost..." July 28th
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. Psalm 139: 11-12
Darkness and Light
Without fear we couldn't be brave
Without temptation we couldn't have victory-
Without darkness where is the light?
And without day there'd be no night
With no sin where would be purity?
It's hell to imagine no heaven above
And if there's no hate then where is the love?
How could we know peace without the turmoil
Freedom without chains?
Blessings without cursing
Righteousness without shame?
So trust Him in the darkness
He gives His beloved sleep
Awaken with the dawn
His mercies new
For He your soul will keep.
