Hope in Darkness

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIS0ToE3Pl8

I Exalt Thee ~ Jesus Image Worship

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

 

The message in Jeremiah 29:11 is one of hope for a dark season. But what many of us don’t realize is that it wasn’t given on Monday and then by Friday, everything was sunshine and bubbles. The message of hope, in this verse, was meant to light the path down a long, dark tunnel that lasted several more decades. That’s exactly why God sends messages of hope. He knows that we’ll need His promises to endure our long, dark seasons—some lasting longer than others, and all lasting much longer than we’d like.

 

Yesterday, we heard that a friend is very sick. Even though this sickness appeared suddenly, God wasn’t surprised. The same is true in our darkest moments and toughest days: they may take us by surprise, but God knew they were coming and planned strength and encouragement for us in these times.

 

When the battle is raging, fears are mounting, winds are howling, and the lion is roaring, it can often feel like this season is you against all of them. But after tightening the Belt of Truth, taking up the Sword of the Spirit in one hand and the Shield of Faith in the other, standing firm upon God’s promise, knowing Holy Spirit is with you, and God’s angel armies are your rearguard, you suddenly realize it’s US against them!

 

Regardless of the length or darkness of your season, remember that God is with you. He’s surrounding you and He’s giving you the encouragement and promises you’ll need to persevere.

©Heather Potts 2020

Your Rescue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYR0xP1j4PY&list=RDgYR0xP1j4PY&start_radio=1&t=0

Rescue ~ Lauren Daigle

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

~ Psalm 91:14-16 NIV

In Lord of the Rings: Two Towers at the battle for Helm's Deep, the soldiers are exhausted. They’ve been fighting all night with no hope of help or rescue in sight. But as dawn breaks, Theoden calls on the king to ride out to meet the battle. On horseback, spurred on only by hope, the men charge out into the think of their enemy. Surrounded on every side, it appears as though their courage has gained them nothing. But look! There, on the hilltop, they see him: Gandalf. With victory in his hand and an army by his side, he charges down in light and glory to defeat the dark enemy and win the battle.

That’s a great battle scene because of the triumphant ending. But in real life, our battles aren’t won in a tidy two- to four-hour timeframe. Most last weeks, months, or years. If the king’s soldiers were ready to give up after just a few hours, how can we be expected to hold on to hope for months or years? Because we have someone greater than Gandalf. We have the King of kings and the Lord of lords and He holds charge over the angel armies. He’s fighting for you in the heavenlies, even when you can’t see it.

Lauren Daigle’s “Rescue” says:

I will send out an army to find you in the middle of the darkest night. It’s true. I will rescue you.

I will never stop marching to reach you in the middle of the hardest fight. It’s true. I will rescue you.

Whether you’re facing the darkness of night or the exhaustion of the hardest fight, you can bet your King, Father God, has already dispatched His angels to fight for you. And you can know that He’s standing and fighting with you.

Don’t give up, oh son, oh daughter. The Lord promises: I will protect him and be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. I will rescue him.

©Heather Potts 2020

The Lord Almighty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wedYKosEe9k&list=RDwedYKosEe9k&start_radio=1&t=1

Won't Stop Now ~ Elevation Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfLcdBuB7NY&list=RDzfLcdBuB7NY&start_radio=1&t=4

Here Again ~ Elevation Worship

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah ~ Psalms 46:1-3, 7 NKJV

I had a very different plan about how tonight would go. But God knew I needed to get into His presence, so He "cleared my schedule," and He met me here.

The enemy has declared war. Fires are burning hot all over the place. The liar has risen against us. The thief is waiting, watching for a sign of weakness so that he can come in and steal all our peace, our joy, and all that is ours.

But the Lord has spoken!

He is the Lord Almighty, the Lord of hosts.

He is head of the angel armies.

He holds sway over all things - the sun, moon, stars, and the universe.

He is the ruler of all things.

And He is with us.

He is our refuge and our strength. 

He is our ever-present help in times of trouble. 

He is our fortress. 

He is the Beginning and the Ending. 

He is who is, who was, and who is to come.

He is the Almighty. 

When we face sickness or injury,

when there are changes at work or pay is cut,

when there is family discord or broken relationships,

when hurricanes come and earthquakes shake the ground,

when tornadoes strike and fires burn,

when nothing makes sense and we need a warrior, a hero, and a place to hide,

Remember…

He is the Lord Almighty, the Lord of Hosts.

And because He is for us, we will not fear!

©Heather Potts 2019