loss

He was driving his young, observant, daughter to school. The sun shined bright in the early morning causing sharp glares all about them. While waiting for the light to turn green his daughter announced, “Daddy look,” as she pointed up in the sky toward the western horizon, “God forgot to turn the moon off this morning after he used it.” A rule her father most likely preached in their household.

The little girl made a cute declaration, but we know the truth is; the moon is always on. And just like the moon, God is always there too. There are times we may not see him though we are desperately looking for his presence. At other times we may only see a sliver of Him in our lives. I think our favorite times are when we see God big, and bright, and fully present in our lives.

But the real test of our faith is moving forward in the darkest times of our lives. Perhaps proceeding slowly, reaching out, grasping for something familiar so we know where we are and where we are going. Knowing full well God is there even though we may not see him. It is in those days that our faith is on exhibit for all to see. Others are most likely watching to see how we cope with a lost job, a lost loved one, or a less than favorable medical report.

Those dark days are not the days our faith is grown, but relied upon to get us through the storm.

Hopefully we filled up our faith tank before this journey begin.

Something that is done by spending time with God in the “things are going great” days. Talking to him on a regular basis, learning his nature, and his character. Being confident He is always there.

³⁸So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles,^[a] fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. ³⁹There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! Rom. 8:38-39 (TPT)

The little girl will continue to grow, and learn. She will study astronomy, and realize the moon is not an object that is turned on or off, but forever present, used, and needed somewhere around the globe. And hopefully she will learn about God, and that He doesn’t waste anything, especially the people He makes.

Your back is up against the wall. You have found yourself in a corner, or down an ally with no apparent way out. Your mind is limited on how to resolve your situation. You cannot see any reasonable way out. Your resources are gone. Your bank account, savings, or 401 has been depleted.

Now what?

Such was the story of a woman in the Bible. She is one of my favorite heroes, for she was a woman of great faith who despite what she saw with her natural eyes she believed, “My situation doesn’t have to be this way.” She knew when to tie a knot and hang on. She was hemmed in, her back was up against the wall.

Yes, I’m talking about the woman with the issue of blood. She suffered from a physical aliment that lasted for 12 whole years. She spent every dime she had visiting multiple doctors trying to find a cure. What’s even worse, those who knew her, called her, “Unclean”. I’m sure they assumed God was punishing her for some sin in her life. You think the thought, “I want to die!” never entered her mine? Or, how many times did she question God, “Why? Why God is this happening to me?”

People, who haven’t earned the right to put on a robe,
judge anyway.

What are you facing? What challenges are you dealing with? Can you identify with this woman? I too am facing a situation today as I write these words that I honestly cannot see how the situation is going to end. My emotions got on a roller coaster today, and I did not enjoy the ride at all. Then I saw one of my friends, Jeff Lossau, posted a new blog. (https://jefflossau.com/) As I read God’s words, from Psalms 34, I cried.

⁴Listen to my testimony: I cried to God in my distress
and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears!
⁵Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come.
Your faces will glisten with glory.
You’ll never wear that shame-face again.
⁶When I had nothing, desperate and defeated,
I cried out to the Lord and he heard me,
bringing his miracle-deliverance when I needed it most.
⁷The angel of the Lord stooped down to listen as I prayed,
encircling me, empowering me, and showing me how to escape.
He will do this for everyone who fears God.
⁸Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God.
Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives
to all who turn to hide themselves in him.
⁹Worship in awe and wonder, all you who’ve been made holy!
For all who fear him will feast with plenty.
¹⁰Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry,
but those who passionately pursue the Lord
will never lack any good thing.
¹¹Come, children of God, and listen to me.
I’ll share the lesson I’ve learned of fearing the Lord.
^12–13Do you want to live a long, good life,
enjoying the beauty that fills each day?
Then never speak a lie or allow wicked words
to come from your mouth.
¹⁴Keep turning your back on every sin,
and make “peace” your life motto.
Practice being at peace with everyone.
¹⁵The Lord sees all we do;
he watches over his friends day and night.
His godly ones receive the answers they seek
whenever they cry out to him.
¹⁶But the Lord has made up his mind to oppose evildoers
and to wipe out even the memory of them
from the face of the earth.
¹⁷Yet when holy lovers of God cry out
to him with all their hearts,
the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them
from all their troubles.
¹⁸The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain,
and he is always ready to restore the repentant one.
¹⁹Even when bad things happen to the good and godly ones,
the Lord will save them and not let them be defeated
by what they face.
²⁰God will be your bodyguard to protect you
when trouble is near.
Not one bone will be broken.
²¹But the wicked commit slow suicide.
For they hate and persecute the lovers of God.
Make no mistake about it,
God will hold them guilty and punish them;
they will pay the penalty!
²²But the Lord has paid for the freedom of his servants,
and he will freely pardon those who love him.
He will declare them free and innocent
when they turn to hide themselves in him. (from, The Passion Translation)

The woman with the issue of blood risked everything, and went into a crowd. She pushed her way through it until she was where Jesus would pass by. She even violated her society’s rules, because she knew with what little faith she had left, if she could just touch the hem of his garment she would be healed. She no doubt had heard the testimonies of his healing power. She did, He passed by, and she bowed to touch the hem of his garment, and she was healed instantly. In a single moment, that she never could have foreseen, her issue went away, and so can yours! (Mark 5:25-34)

THEN, you can proclaim the first part of Psalms 34:

¹Lord! I’m bursting with joy over what you’ve done for me!
My lips are full of perpetual praise.
²I’m boasting of you and all your works,
so let all who are discouraged take heart.
³Join me, everyone! Let’s praise the Lord together.
Let’s make him famous!
Let’s make his name glorious to all.

The woman made God famous, and I’m willing to endure what my wife and I are going through, for someone else, so I can make God famous.