WHAT? NO MORE SHINING SPLENDOR? — Carol McLeod Ministries
Who is among you who [reverently] fears the Lord, who obeys the voice of His Servant, yet who walks in darkness and deep trouble and has no shining splendor [in his heart]? Let him rely on, trust in, and be confident in the name of the Lord, and let him lean upon and be supported by his God.
Isaiah 50:10 (Amplified version)
It is possible to love the Lord with all your heart, fear Him and walk in His ways, yet suddenly find yourself catapulted into deep trouble and darkness. Our feeble hearts have difficulty comprehending trouble and darkness. Our carnal soul (mind, will, and emotions) may be throwing a temper tantrum all the while our spirit (the place of His presence) is thriving in peace and stability. Why? We have chosen to remain confident in the name of the Lord and be supported by Him.
We do our best to hear God’s voice and obey Him, but sometimes an unexpected storm comes crashing in on the shores of our heart and simply knocks the breath right out of us. In an instant, the cloud of disorientation hovers above. The sun may be shining one moment, only to be shrouded the next. It can be scary and aggravating. In those moments, we can sometimes feel a great frustration toward God. We may be tempted to ask questions like “Where did You go? Why are You letting this get out of control? What happened? What are You doing?” and “What did I do wrong?”
If you read the Psalms, you will find many moments when the psalmist came upon deep trouble, and the “shining splendor” that was very much a part of his life suddenly vanished. There are many emotions—positive and negative—exemplified in the Psalms. God inspired the inclusion of these Psalms for a reason. They show that He is very able to handle any place in which we find ourselves—be it in joy, sadness, fear, anger, impatience or thanksgiving—the list goes on and on.
We will all experience moments of walking in darkness. It’s not fun. It is difficult, but God seems to feel that it is beneficial for us at times. Otherwise, we may not see our actual condition. As we see our true need for God’s power and strength, we will be better equipped to face the enemy of our soul.
One of the objectives of our adversary is to undermine our confidence in the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is one of the most powerful weapons we can use. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Romans 14:11). Sometimes, when I am surrounded by deep darkness, my only reprieve is to utter the name of my Lord: Jesus. I believe the spiritual realm understands very clearly what to do when I utter His name in a moment of stumbling despair. Angels are dispatched to minister and help at the sound of one of His children calling out in the darkness. Demons have to flee when one of His own speaks His sweet, precious name.
Trust in the reputation of the God of the Holy Scriptures. Be convinced in His ability to come to your rescue. Have real and honest conversations with Him. When you are transparent with Him, He can minister to you in the center of your heart. Honesty is foundational in any healthy relationship. Remove your mask. Don’t always try to look good when there are matters below the surface that need attention. It’s okay not to know the way. It’s okay to experience times of confusion. It’s okay to feel what you feel; just don’t make camp there. Get up and go to Him. Let your heart find faith. Discover the hope that is yours in Him. Your head will be lifted as you lean upon His name. His fame and His glory precede Him. One day, when the shadows flee and the dawn breaks forth, you will emerge from this place more deeply satisfied and in love with Him.
The journey upon this earth will get rugged. It will suddenly turn steep. It will lead you into storms so ferocious that you think you might just die on the spot, but the One who engineers a pathway through the sea will also escort you through your fiery ordeal. Your heavenly Father will accompany you to the other side safely. He will offer you drink when your soul is parched. He will feed you bread from heaven when you are faint and can hardly take another step. God will encircle you with His loving embrace when your heart feels like it might break in two. One day, you will cross the finish line and enter into eternity with Him; but until the day breaks and the shadows flee, remember that He is the lover of your soul and the lifter of your head. Now, this very moment, three things remain: faith, hope and love. We need faith for the conviction of what’s true. We need hope for a confident expectation for our future. And finally, what would our journey be here on earth without frequent love feasts with God and one another as we travel along?
While we base our theology on God’s Word, our experiences with God make it all come alive. Today, may you experience the winds of His gentle presence, soothing and calming your soul.
Who is among you who [reverently] fears the Lord, who obeys the voice of His Servant, yet who walks in darkness and deep trouble and has no shining splendor [in his heart]? Let him rely on, trust in, and be confident in the name of the Lord, and let him lean upon and be supported by his God. Isaiah 50:10 (Amplified version)
This season on the Significant Women podcast, I have had the privilege to get to know so many of my favorite Christian fiction authors. As many of you know, Christian fiction was my escape when my children were young and we were in the midst of homeschooling. It transported me to a different place and time and gave me a host of new “friends” to meet and stories to explore. My guest today is Angela Hunt, an award-winning and best-selling author of Biblical fiction whose own story might surprise you. Lean in and listen as we get to know her.
