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Our Delight is in the Law of the Lord!
I often looked over at a pot of flowers bought at the beginning of this season of loss. The many blooms and vibrant life held in the plant had brought hope and encouragement to me when I first lost my husband. The directions on the card attached simply stated: Water and sunlight needed. Weeks later, after neglecting the once lovely plant, I observed the dry and shriveled buds that once held beauty and life had become dry broken stems with no beauty left and no promise of future life.
Eight months after losing my husband, I lost my mom. I found sadness and fatigue returning. It was overwhelming and overpowering. This was unsettling, and unique to me. I could taste the sadness.
It was a lonely place, where darkness seemed to cover all sense of hope and future joy.
I had to willingly open the door to the light God could provide by writing notecards of verses to get through the day.
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
Psalm 1: 1-3 (NASB)
What once brought joy and fragrance to a dreary room now held only evidence of death and dry dirt.
I knew why the refreshment and hope the plant shared disappeared, and what was needed in the daily-ness of life for this plant. Neglecting the simplest of directions to keep this plant flourishing, I did not find five minutes to replenish and refresh the flowers with water and make sure there was adequate sunlight so that they could in turn encourage and bring me hope.
The empty dryness of our hearts and darkness surrounding our pain reflects the lack of joy and hope we feel with loss.
I need to nourish my heart with God’s Word and allow Him to change me as I pray, just as I nourish my body with healthy food and rest. His Word feeds my soul and prayer provides me time to rest and allow Him to work in my life. Without that time set aside, I become like flowers that are wilted. Without it, I melt down over the simplest of problems, and my emotions become raw and tender. I become dry and easily broken.
We cannot run away from the fact that this world is not our permanent home. Each of us must face death and loss. When we experience loss, we often feel damaged and broken. God knows and cares. Jesus experienced the pain of loss. He was moved at the death of Lazarus because of the sorrow that sickness and death bring. Jesus was faced with His own death, and just before He was betrayed said,
”My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”
Matthew 26:39 (NASB)
Jesus understands the aching and longing we have in our hearts to prevent losing those we love. Fortunately, He was willing to sacrifice His own life so we can live eternally with Him.
Let’s find our delight in God’s Word and commit to nourishing our souls with time spent with Him.
Lord, bring balance to our lives. Help us accept our present situation and provide courage to face the future in hope. No one understands our needs like You. Thank You for the promises we find in Your word. Provide refreshment for our souls and fill our minds and hearts with Your peace and love. Amen