These Are Dark Days...

In Times Like These

In times like these it would be very easy to fall prey to fear but...

2 Pet.1:3-10

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness 

through the knowledge of Him who called us by His owna glory and excellence.

  4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, 

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,

 now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue;

 and to virtue, knowledge;

  6and to knowledge, self-control; 

and to self-control, perseverance; 

and to perseverance, godliness; 

7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; 

and to brotherly kindness, love.

  8For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, 

they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive

 in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  9But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness,

 having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure.

 For if you practice these things you will never stumble, 

11and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom 

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

These are dark days of doubting God

Of lack of fear and reverence

For He, who through His own shed blood

Purchased mankind's deliverance

From death and hell; sin's penalty

That only Jesus justifies 

He alone sets captive souls free

And fits us for Redemption's Prize

...for all have sinned and fall short of

The glory of God, kind and true

Holy, faithful, and rich in love

He helps us love each other too

When days are dark with doubt and dread

And evil's bold and blinded boast

Mocks or disregards the Godhead

Of Father, Son and Holy Ghost 

These are dark days of unbelief

In our Lord's glorious return

When He will triumph over grief

And pain; when this old world will burn

And Faith will will behold all things new

No suffering or forecasts grim

As He who IS Faithful and True 

Unfurls eternity with Him 

Janet Martin

Rev.21:1-8

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, 

for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. 

Also there was no more sea.

  2Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven

 from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,

 “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,

 and He will dwell with them,

 and they shall be His people. 

God Himself will be with them and be their God.

  4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;

 there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. 

There shall be no more pain, 

for the former things have passed away.”

5Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” 

And He said [b]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6And He said to me, “It[c] is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8But the cowardly, [e]unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

If it were not so I would have told you!

Jesus-

John 14:2

Cage-Rattling Joy...

John 16:33

I have told you these things,

 so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 Thess.4:13-18

3 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, 

concerning those who have fallen [a]asleep,

lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,

even so God will bring with Him those who [b]sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive

 and remain until the coming of the Lord 

will by no means precede those who are [c]asleep. 

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, 

with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. 

And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain

 shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

***

Imagine if we could not comfort one another with God's words from scripture!

Surely, then life would be a hopelessly fearful undertaking,

each day's impending unknowns dark with dread and discouragement!

SO many tragedies could leave us disillusioned,

 our hearts irreparably broken,

Faith would be crushed with despair,

 but for the treasure of sure hope through the shed blood of Christ!

2 Cor.4:7-9 (read the whole tender chapter HERE)

Now we have this treasure in jars of clay 

to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. 

8We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed;

 perplexed, but not in despair;

 9persecuted, but not forsaken; 

struck down, but not destroyed.

Where flowers bloom midst dire tides of doom and gloom forecasters spew

Where God's unfailing Word abides; each morning His mercy is new...

Before a fresh burst of unknowns rattles the cage of Time and Place

Where, praise the Lord, faith's stepping stones are set in sands of hope and grace

Where flowers bloom midst dire tides of doom and gloom forecasters spew

Where God's unfailing Word abides; each morning His mercy is new

Where justice will prevail some day so we do not need to despair

Where good or ill, come what yet may, God helps us through each creature-care

Where God, who cares for you and me is greater than faith's crooning foe 

A Very Present Help to we who need His truth and comfort so 

Where we would be deceived without His Word to guide, correct and cheer

And save us from pitfalls of doubt, pride, ignorance, folly and fear 

Where many who have ears are deaf it seems, to thund'ring wonder-storms 

And many who have eyes profess no knowledge of works God performs 

Where all will someday give account to He whose breath of life we draw 

While drinking from a glorious fount of favours that pray, authors awe 

...and courage, to fight the Good Fight, strong, pure and faithful to the end

Armed with the power of God's might and peace thought cannot comprehend

Where, praise the Lord, faith's steppingstones are set in sands of hope and grace

Where joy transcends bursts of unknowns rattling cages of Time and Place

Janet Martin

Where Could I Go-Emmylou Harris 

Restored...

Matt. 26:30

And when they had sung a hymn,

they went out to the Mount of Olives...

Ascend The Hill - Hallelujah! What A Savior (lyrics)

In the hour, the dark hour when our spirits groan with grief

When the power, the dark power of despair wars with belief

When the struggle, holy struggle strains faith to the uttermost

As life’s trouble, so much trouble tries the merit of its boast

Have you hasted, humbly hasted to the place where hope’s streams flow?

Have you tasted, sweetly tasted peace this world can never know?

Did you hold a little tighter to God’s Truth that cannot dim?

Did your heart grow strangely lighter as you sat and supped with Him?

Did the wonder of Hope’s Essence cheer you onward to faith’s goal?

Did the Thunder of Love’s Presence drive doubt’s shadows from your soul?

Did today’s Divine Director beckon you to hope’s birthplace?

Did faith’s Author and Perfecter bid you trace the scars of grace?

In the hour, the dark hour when the enemy is bold

Does the power, saving power of the cross increase its hold

Does the path you trod grow clearer, in the lamplight of God’s Word

Does love’s cross you bear grow dearer as faith’s fervor is restored

© Janet Martin

 

 

Sorrow's Sweet Surprise

I came across this photo of us sisters in much care-freer childhood days...

From left to right...

Marlene, Carolyn, Cheryl, Lucy and Janet 💝

Because today marks four months since Lucy's death,

it also marks four months of God's abiding comfort and strength,

and four months of being drawn ever nearer to His

everlasting love...

I'm sharing today and tomorrow's devotion 

from the book Consolation by Mrs. Chas E. Cowman

because they minister profoundly to all who are traveling

through trouble and sorrow...

I shared the verses below on yesterday's post but I didn't 'unpack' them...

Matt. 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Often in ways we would not choose

When love unfolds grief's solemn hues

We find, in sorrow's somber length

The God of all comfort and strength

Often, when disappointments test

The hopes and dreams now laid to rest

We find in sorrow's bitter tear

The God of all comfort is near

And often when (lest we despair)

We pour out broken hearts in prayer 

We find to sorrow's sweet surprise

The God of all comfort replies

We find  'no longer I, but Christ'

As hopes and dreams are sacrificed

We find, as sorrow bows the head 

The God of all comfort instead 

Whose compassion is new each morn

Who comforts mourners, sorrow-worn

Through troubles we would never choose

God ministers with Heaven's hues

© Janet Martin 

And a BIG P.S.

Prayer updates!

Remember the people you prayed for HERE

and HERE?

Our friends had a wonderful trip in spite of the initial disappointment;

not as originally planned but in place of original plans 💖🙏

...and thanks be to God,

 the family who was looking for a home has found one!

Thank-you all for your help and prayers!

When the Cares of Life/Love Encumber...

The word 'hope' unless it is anchored

firm and secure in God's promises

is nothing but a puff of air as it passes

through our lips...

My Anchor Holds

Isa.26:3-4

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord,

 is [b]everlasting strength.

Isaiah 35:3
Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!

Job 4:3-4
Surely you have instructed many, 

and have strengthened their feeble hands. 

 Your words have steadied those who stumbled; 

you have braced the knees that were buckling.

***

When the cares of life encumber

When we know not how to cope

He who keeps us does not slumber

But anoints each breath with hope

When a sense of Want oppresses

When faith's enemies accrue

He who satisfies and blesses 

Abides, trustworthy and true

When the brunt of circumstances

Comminutes faith's mustard seed

Our God, rich in mercy grants us

Grace, sufficient for the need

When the Red/Dread Sea rolls before us

And behind, evil hordes prey 

He whose gaze does not ignore us

Will not fail to make a way

When our prayer is but a stammer

  From lips, stripped of eloquence

God, our gracious Interpreter 

Hears the tear and understands 

When the cares of love encumber

When earth's best is bound to fail

He who never sleeps or slumbers

Anchors Hope within the gale

Janet Martin

Under His Wings

Ps. 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Sweet and Sacred Solace

Have you confessed before God

that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour?

Have you, by faith received redemption's gift,

salvation for your soul?

Have you experienced the joy and peace 

that only God's full forgiveness brings?

Do you have the assurance, when death comes

That Jesus' death and resurrection

conquered the grave?!

If so, have we not the best reason to rejoice

all the days of our life,

with reverent adoration

for the sweet and sacred solace of

God's abiding Presence, no matter what befalls?!

There is a Redeemer

God is a Redeemer.

When we fall, He cares

Untangling the Dreamer

From besetting snares

God is love. He listens

When we weep He hears

Reaching down from heaven

To gather our tears

God is good and righteous

When faith is deterred

He thrills to delight us

With His faithful word

God is kind and gracious

When we stumble then

Rather than condemn us

He says 'try again'

God is rich in mercy's

Staggering supply

Bidding, but not forcing

How we will reply

© Janet Martin

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things

 such as silver or gold

 that you were redeemed from the empty way of life 

you inherited from your forefathers, 

/ but with the precious blood of Christ, 

a lamb without blemish or spot.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood,

 the forgiveness of our trespasses,

 according to the riches of His grace

Titus 2:14
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness

 and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession,

 zealous for good deeds.

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law

 by becoming a curse for us. 

For it is written:

 “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Dear Mariner of Time...

Happy, happy New Year!

As I was working on today's poem I replied to a Facebook comment

on the previous post...I am Thinking of you, my dear Lucy

And shared with my friend a half-awake-half-asleep dream.

The ambience of that 'dream' helped inspire today's poem!

By this 'dream' I was reminded afresh; 

God has inconceivable joys forevermore in store

for all who believe in Him, when we reach Yonder Shore!

In my 'dream' I suddenly had a 'picture/vision' of God smiling and whispering 

'if you could only imagine the joys I have in store for followers of Me!!'

 and I had this sense of blinding white-gold glory 

and absolute comfort and peace. 

Hard to describe. 

But it has cheered me immensely.

The Race of Faith

Heb.12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, 

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

 2looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, 

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

So now into another year we sail...

Dear Mariner of Time, dread not the gale

For hope, through Jesus Christ, anchors the soul

And faith in Him assures us of the Goal

Without a doubt storms wait with shrieking blast

Without a doubt death's shadow will be cast

Without a doubt the sun also will shine

To warm and cheer us, Mariners of Time

The Voyage from the cradle to the grave

Is one each Mariner of Time must brave

Where Telescope of Sight and Logic strains

But cannot see what only faith attains 

Into another year we sail, ahoy

And wonder what will come, of grief and joy

Dear Mariner of Time, dread not the course

No fate can take vessels of faith by force 

The Captain of faith's fleet will never fail

And though He tests the rigging with the gale

Dear Mariner of Time, each Tempest Sore

Sweetens and keens faith's fervour for the Shore 

© Janet Martin

The Hatley Family...He Whispers Sweet Peace To Me

Because God Is Not a Far-off Father

Sharing some sweet reassurance today,

(because it's so easy to slip into walking by sight!)

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life; 

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Ps.55:22

Cast your burden on the Lord,

And He shall sustain you;

He shall never permit the righteous to be [b]moved.

I couldn't decide on any particular photos to share today

 so I am sharing some recent twilight garden tranquility...

Do the unknowns of tomorrow rob you of peace for today

Does love's joy, laden with sorrow, take a sad, triumphant toll 

Faith, the substance of things hoped for, does it cheer you when you pray

Does it grant God's strength for labor and His comfort for your soul

Or, is dread a thief of laughter, fear, a dark and rolling sea 

God is not a far-off Father; He bids us 'come unto Me'

Do you long for lasting pleasure and delight's true happiness  

Or does this world's fleeting treasure consume worship's mad pursuit 

Do you find sweet consolation in God's steadfast promises 

Does His gift of soul's salvation produce heaven-flavored fruit 

Or is trouble a dictator stealing humble hymns of praise

God is no distant Creator, but a Helper all our days 

In the process of Becoming, are you losing heart, pray tell

Is the noise of progress numbing you to truths that never change  

Although the spirit is willing, does the flesh resist, rebel

Or, is One greater instilling what no rival can estrange 

For, though life is heartbreak-tainted, our prayers are held secure 

Because God is well acquainted with all suff'rings we endure 

In the valley of death's shadow He unfurls the path of life

His word is a Lamp to follow, and a Light to show the Way 

Does the hope of Heaven fill you with courage to face earth's strife

Does the thought of Seeing thrill you as you walk by faith today

Do you face faith's certain danger at the ready to defend

Because God is not stranger; but a very present Friend   

Janet Martin

 

Psalm 145:17-21

The LORD is righteous in all His ways

and kind in all His deeds.

18The LORD is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call out to Him in truth.

19He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;

He hears their cry and saves them.

20The LORD preserves all who love Him,

but all the wicked He will destroy.

21My mouth will declare the praise of the LORD;

let every creature bless His holy name

forever and ever.

Deuteronomy 4:7
For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them

 as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; 

He saves the contrite in spirit.

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,

 an ever-present help in times of trouble.

I know I have shared these songs before

but I longed to hear them this morning...

Lead Me Gently Home, Father

God Will

In the Sweet Bye and Bye

Sorrow's Silver Lining

Lam.3:31-33 NIV

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,

so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not willingly bring affliction

or grief to anyone.

***

Some sorrow-crosses are borne on backs,

and are easy to recognize,

some are borne in hearts and souls

known fully, only to God's eyes

This life, full of sorrow-inducing care

Is weathered best, tethered to prayer

Because wherever/whatever the cross may be

None are too hidden for God to see

No matter what hurt has fashioned its frame

Healing is found as hope trusts in His Name

*** 

Isa.40:31 NIV

...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

 They will soar on wings like eagles;

 they will run and not grow weary, 

they will walk and not be faint.

Be Still My Soul ~ Selah ~ Lyrics

Sorrow can be a plumbless pit

Where worship could wither away

Or, it can be the key to fit

The bearer of its cross to pray

To help faith’s posture learn to lean

Completely on God’s perfect will

To guide through gates to pastures green

To lead us beside waters still

And drink from Living Streams, our fill

…where, though Evidence of things seen

May fill our Cup of Circumstance

With sorrow’s bitter go-between

Vexing hope’s perplexing substance

He shepherds and restores our souls

He leads in paths of righteousness

And sanctifies self-seeking goals

With a more Calvary-like ‘yes’

As we cling to His promises

Sorrow could drown hope in sad tears

And blind us to ‘joy set before’

And choke us with a noose of years

Where Yester’s futile shadows roar

Or sorrow can invite us to

Come unto He who gives us rest

To taste His comfort, kind and true

For He bore sorrow’s greatest test

Thus understands our sorrows best

Ah, here sorrow dons eagle’s wings

Though grief may hound time's brief sojourn

Hope's silver lining gleams; joy sings

Like a bird sensing Morn’s return

The valley of death’s shadow grants

The Shepherd's rod and staff to cheer

The Cup of bitter Circumstance

While Heaven’s gate/wait is drawing near

The hour of faith’s final tear

© Janet Martin

Psalm 23 NKJV

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not [a]want.

2 He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures;

He leads me beside the [c]still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord

[e]Forever.

Through The Ups and Downs of 'Becoming'

Nothing in life stays the same for long, does it?!

Seasons change. People change.

Change is constant but something I read this morning reminded readers

that rather than just seeing ourselves, or situations as changing, 

to view it as 'becoming'.

This attitude helps us be more merciful and prudent 

with both ourselves and others!

So off we go to meet the ups and downs of

a new day and a new week, of Becoming

all by the changeless grace of our changeless, loving God.

p.s. it's worth every precious while we take

to think about how much God loves us!

Doesn't the canvas of a new day sometimes almost take your breath away,

considering humankind's track-record?!!

Oh, the ups and downs of living

Oh, the cups that fill and drain

As torrents of take-and-giving

Rush hearts with pleasure and pain

Oh, the highs and lows of loving

Oh, the ties that strain and bend

In the thick and quick of proving

Love’s faithfulness to the end

Oh, the Yet of have-and-holding

Oh, the letting go it bears

Teaching us the art of folding

Life-long learning into prayers

Oh, the tug of wars we weather

Oh, the hug that bids release

Oh, the testing of love’s tether

As God works its masterpiece

Oh, the rise and fall of laughter

Oh, the prize and gall of tears

Caught between before and after 

While a lifetime disappears 

Oh, love's fumbles, oh, life's stumbles

Oh, the bumbles we repeat (or, oh, the humble pies we eat)

While God's grace and goodness tumbles

New 'becoming' 'neath our feet 

Oh, the beauty of His favor

Oh, the duty of reply

Oh, the love of Christ, our Saviour's

'Upsy-daisy, here am I 

Through the ups and downs of living

In the cups that fill and drain

With torrents of take-and-giving

Here am I to help again'

© Janet Martin

May we take heart through

Solomon's Benediction, as relevant now as then!

1 Kings 8:54-61

Solomon’s Benediction

54Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD,

he got up before the altar of the LORD,

where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.

55And he stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:

56“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel

according to all that He promised.

Not one word has failed of all the good promises

He made through His servant Moses.

57May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers.

May He never leave us nor forsake us.

58May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways

and to keep the commandments and statutes

and ordinances He commanded our fathers.

59And may these words with which I have made my petition before the LORD

be near to the LORD our God day and night,

that He may uphold the cause of His servant

 and of His people Israel as each day requires, 

60so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God.

There is no other!

61So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God,

as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.”