Like a sentry waiting for morning’s light

The view through my bay window this morning is grey, a dense fog covering the area. Trees poke through the haze,  black limbs making scraggly, jagged lines against the sky.  Brown grass signals the deathly grip of winter.  I sigh heavily, that scene a metaphor for my state of mind.   The path for this day is fogged by multiple challenges and few clear choices.. A wintery chill has settled in my soul.  

Those kinds of days arrive for all us, don’t they?  I know the ‘why’ of mine.  My body is still fighting back from last week’s sickness. There are some ministry responsibilities that my heart is resisting.  And, I can never forget that there is a real Adversary who exploits physical fatigue and emotional stress, too.

In a few weeks, that scene of death in back yard will give way to a riot of colors, buds and blooms announcing the arrival of Spring. Though death seems apparent, life is powerfully surging, awaiting the call of the sun to break out.  Similarly, despite today’s feelings of deadness of soul, the Spirit’s life is abundant. The Son calls that Life into being – bringing joy and hope.

I am so grateful that I can turn in quiet confidence to the One who loves me – summer and winter, day and night, through it all. When my own words fail, I can borrow the Word. This was my prayer, the ancient words wrapping themselves around me like a friend’s embrace.  "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. …He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. … Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him." (Psalm 25:4-6, 9-10, 12, NIV)

Show me, Lord. Guide me, Lord.
You are my hope, Your ways loving and faithful.
I honor and love You, instruct me!

Don’t you love that? I do!

Perhaps you identify with my state of heart today. Join me in waiting, expectant, for the Spirit’s stirring.  If you are walking in the sunshine, rejoice!  Thank Him for the blessings and do not forget His mercies.

Here is a word from the Word.  It is one of the songs of ascent, those ancient chants of the Jews that they sang as they went ‘up’ to Jerusalem.  Perhaps you would read it aloud, a song of the soul?  I will and He will answer with His tender mercies bringing a new dawn.

"A song of ascents.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins."
(Psalm 130, NIV)

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You'll Come (link to song)

I have decided I have resolved

To wait upon You Lord

My Rock and Redeemer shield and reward

I'll wait upon You Lord

As surely as the sun will rise

You'll come to us

Certain as the dawn appears

You'll come let Your glory fall

As You respond to us

Spirit rain

Flood into our thirsty hearts again

You'll come You'll come

We are not shaken we are not moved

We wait upon You Lord

Mighty deliverer triumph and truth

We wait upon You Lord

As surely as the sun will rise

You'll come to us

Certain as Your word endures

Chains be broken lives be healed

Eyes be opened Christ is revealed

Brooke Ligertwood

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