Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 10 March 2020


Dark Days

Then Job answered and said, How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself. If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach: Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment. He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths. He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree. He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies. His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle. He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own body. Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me. All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me. My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.
(Job 19:1-21)

Today’s Morsel:  Reading what Job says here in today's passage, Job saw this as a dark time in his life. Can you imagine feeling as though you are shut-in and can’t get out?  Can you imagine not being able to see what is causing your ailment?  Can you imagine having everyone from your family and friends to co-workers turning on you?  Many folks have faced what Job faced, or they are facing it right now; while others may face it someday in the future.  We never know what tomorrow may hold, nor do we know what trials or circumstances that may cause us to feel as though we are abandoned or without.  Scriptures reveal to us many who had dark days.  Not only Job, but Jacob, Joseph, Naomi and Ruth, Jeremiah, Daniel, Peter, Paul, James and John. And maybe you.  But it is in those dark days and times of life that we must hold to the promises of God that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  As the Prophet Micah states, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” (Micah 7:8)  If your days seem dark right about now, then start looking for the light, as the darkest hour is just before the day!

Sing:  One night while alone on life's raging sea it looked as if I would suffer defeat.  As the blackness of night closed off the light my heart sank with fear.  My desperate cry rang out with fright; all I could see was no hope in sight. With faith all but gone I met the one who came looking for me.

[Chorus:] He came looking for me, He came looking for me.  He made a way when there was no way that I could see.  When I drifted so far Jesus was near to rescue my soul and calm all my fears. Now I'm safe from all harm since I met the one who came looking for me.

Thought For  Today:  The darkest hour is just before day.

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