Deep darkness

I read this meditation earlier this year
and its call to humble joy even in gloomy times
still echoes in my mind. I’d like to share it here too…

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There are four little goings-on that universally create joy, making even the gloomiest heart smile:

1. hearing your name called because you won,
2. being chosen for the job,
3. someone else picking up the tab, and
4. being rescued from danger.

So why is it sometimes so hard for the people of God—called and chosen, redeemed and delivered—to feel incredible joy and give God the glory he so deserves? Jeremiah says it is our pride, lamenting, “If you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride.”

John calls it the “pride of life” and the Amplified Bible elaborates, “pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things.”

Jeremiah tells the people of God if they take credit for the wealth and beauty around them and take responsibility for their own security, God will allow darkness, stumbling, gloom, and deep darkness to overtake them.

Today, we have light to see the mountains ahead. They may be steep, but we need not stumble around in the dark because…

1. Our names were called.
2. We were chosen for the job.
3. Our debts are paid.
4. Our rescue is complete.

As you pray, consider what God has done, lay down pride, and dare to feel the joy of it all.

This meditation was written by Amy Clemens
and published by Words of Hope on 12 Jan 2020.
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