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Psalm 43:5 – Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (NIV)
The other evening, my daughter hurried into the house from a meeting. She was calling me to come quickly and look. Getting up and going out onto the front stoop to see what was happening, I experienced the northern lights for the first time since moving to the north eleven years ago. They were truly magnificent as they danced and rippled across the velvet sky: pinks and blues, whites and greens leaping and twirling like living things. What a marvellous and unexpected spectacle, especially as it was early in the evening, since normally, this light show saves itself for long after most people are in bed.
This wondrous display reminded me of how so often amidst dark times of the soul, we meet God in the most unexpected and marvellous ways.
Many years ago, I went through a very dark time, when even the smallest chores were overwhelming. Being around other people was almost unbearable. It was as if I had lost myself and didn't know how to proceed through my day, much less have any plans or hopes for the future. Amidst this time, however, my saving grace was provided by the Lord through music. I would listen through earphones to quiet, contemplative hymns and choruses. As the beauty and the truth of this music, based upon Scripture, rippled and danced softly through my mind, I found peace and new hope. I met God in a whole new way, just when I thought that He had abandoned me to the icy grip of depression and hopelessness.
Today, you may be going through a cold and dreary time, a time of darkness within, a time when you wonder if you will ever be yourself again. If so, don't give up. God is with you in your darkness, and just when you least expect it, you, too, will find yourself dancing in the dark, for He is the One who can be counted on to turn the darkness of our night into the glorious light of His day.
Prayer: Wondrous Lord and Father in heaven, thank You that in You, there is no darkness and that You are always with us amidst our own dark and dreary times, bringing the light of Your love. Prepare our hearts and minds and souls for dancing in the dark with You, that we might praise You, our Saviour and God. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
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Tuesday, April 16, 2024 – In Peru — Please pray for this summer season at our beach-town home to be a blessing to the little Fellowship we have started and that the Lord would "add to our numbers those who are being saved".
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Thank you, I needed to hear that.
An encouraging word, Lynne. God bless.
Sweet encouragement for many people, Lynn! Bless you!
Dear Lynne,
I loved your devotional and the images it evoked. So beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you, Lynne. That is a wonderful picture of God’s grace and faithfulness!
Blessings!
Lynne – Wonderful devotional! I especially loved your description of the night sky and what you saw–beautiful!
Thanks for an uplifting message. I always find your passages meaningful and a great inspiration for the day. Blessings.
I went to Iceland last fall and we were all phoned to get up and see the dancing lights in the middle of the night. It was awesome!
As usual, your work touches me and supports. Thank you. Aren’t northern lights so exciting!! We stretch out on our lawn and let the beauty wash over us.
I also remember when I first saw the Northern lights. What a blessing that was! Thanks for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Thanks for your encouraging message today. What a gift from God music is! I find it to be very uplifting as well. Be blessed as you continue to bless others.
Lynne, you always have a message with great food for thought. Your view of the northern lights sounds wonderful. I have never seen them like your sighting. Thanks so much for your messages.
Thanks Lynn, this really is helping me today. There are many things in my life right now that I have to accept and make changes. This reminds me to think of the good things and that God is never changing, always there. Again, thank you.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you for telling us about the saving grace you receive from the Lord through music.
We thank God for inspirational music. I pray that God will keep up your hope in himself for ever.
Keep writing.
Hello, Lynn,
I thought your devotional today was right on the money. I needed to be reminded of the importance of music in my own life. Also, I liked the way you took the song title (“Dancing in the Dark”) and gave it a deeper meaning.
Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Greetings Lynne,
Great devotional this morning. Yes the Lord is truly our light in times of darkness. He is ever there to lift our spirits and bring back the glow of joy when we call on Him and remain faithful to His word.
Thank you and Lord blessings upon you,
(B.C.)
Dear Lynne – this is truly a wonderful analogy. There was a time in my own life when He made Himself available to me daily/nightly in a way that kept me going. I find myself praying for you now and for a number of others on my prayer list – that the lovely song, and dance and colours against the dark background would be a constant reminder of His faithful Presence moment by moment which is sometimes all we can handle. Blessings on you for such beautiful reflections.
I guess it is the timing that you have not seen the northern lights. I grew up in Southern Ontario.
It could not have been too late or my mother would have chased us to bed. We used to take blankets out in the back yard on a farm and watch the dancing lights. Even now it seems later than when we watched as a kid but we do sometimes see them here which with all city lights I guess it is amazing. They are beautiful but I know on the farm with less other lights it was spectacular to watch when we are so far.
Enjoy your writings.
Good Morning Lynne.
Your paragraph four describes exactly what happened in my life, four years ago. Had it not been for my loving and devoted wife, the love of Jehovah and a devoted doctor, my fingers would not be typing today. I was in a pool of quicksand, in a fear-filled swamp. But, God still has plans for me, and so I am here typing to you. We serve an awesome God! I feel like we have met, spiritually, if not physically.
I hope you have a memorable and peace-filled day.
Blessings to you and your daughter.
Many years ago, I came down with a virus that attacked my system leaving me severely disabled. People would come to visit, but it was more than I could muster. I would be in bed for days after a visit. My friend told me I was like a zombie, both in the way I moved and the way I spoke, and the vacant look in my eyes. Doctors were baffled.
Much prayer, and as you say, laying in bed listening to gentle praise music, soothed my soul. My life came to an abrupt halt and I didn’t know if I would ever recover. But by God’s grace and mercy and the help of a doctor, I recovered to the point where I was functional again and able to go back to work. I had chronic fatigue for several years until the Lord healed me completely. Now, I find myself again with a disability that seriously limits what I can do and I don’t know if I will ever be able to be the self I was before this happened. But I am encouraged by the words and help of others that even if this is now me, I am still loved and have other gifts to give. Thanks for your testimony.
Wow Lynne – what a wonderful experience to see the northern lights! Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony of faith and hope.
Blessings.
Lynne: This is beautiful! Thank you so much.
We are both sick here and your devotion just “hits the spot.” May the Lord bless you for blessing us.