IDareToHope

The storm rolled away this afternoon and created a magnificent evening.

Today was not easy but I made it through, with God’s strength. I didn’t leave for the beach until about 9:30pm, but once down there, I walked for quite a ways. Lots of little treasures are to be found after a storm: patterned pottery pieces, a marble, fascinating metal fragments.

Washed Up Marble.

A truth has been repeating in my mind since early this afternoon: I am not alone. And neither are you, Dear Reader. God the Father is omnipresent, which means he’s everywhere, all at once. But even better is the truth that His Spirit lives in me, because I believe in His Son, Jesus. I believe that Jesus came to earth, was born as a human baby from Mary’s womb, grew up and died on a cross as atonement for the world’s sins, and came back to life on the third day, proving victory over death and the grave. Because I believe, I have not only the promise of life-eternal with God, but also the presence of His Holy Spirit here on earth. [Romans 8]

I am not alone.

Jesus gave me another song today, out of Psalm 139, the melody taught to me by a Nome friend. Here are some of the words, straight from Psalm 139:

You have searched me, Lord , and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord , know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.