Category: Doubt

All is well

Ruth Kirk

The biblical context of today’s blog is a story in 2 Kings, chapter 4, verses 8-37. The woman who speaks in the first quote has just lost her only son, who died of heatstroke in the fields. Note that her later message to Elisha in my second quote is given before she reveals to him that her beloved son is dead. This woman’s faith is an example to us all, no matter how empty, far from God, or hopeless we feel.

She sent a message to her husband: “Send one of the servants and a donkey so that I can hurry to the man of God and come right back.” “Why go today?” he asked. “It is neither a new moon festival nor a Sabbath.” But she said, “It will be all right” (2 Kings 4:23; NLT).

In times of grief,
And darkest night:
Everything
Will be alright.

In times of dryness,
Doubt, and pain:
All things
Shall be well again.

So, when life
Is hard, or hell:
Trust in God,
For all is well. 

Please run now to meet her, and say to her, “Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?” And she answered, “It is well” (2 Kings 4:26; NKJV).

References

God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28; NLT).

“All things shall be well” (Julian of Norwich; Revelations of Divine love).

Jesus whispers (with thanks to H.C.)

Ruth Kirk

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12; NLT).

Jesus whispers:
Come to me.
Take my yoke,
And share my rest.

Jesus whispers:
I am with you,
As we face
Each painful test.

Jesus whispers:
I forgive you,
When we tell him
We repent.

Jesus whispers:
I am He
Whom God, the Mighty One,
Has sent.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him (1 John 4:9; NLT).

Sickness

Ruth Kirk

I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born (Psalm 22:10; NLT). 

May sickness drive me
Straight into your arms,

And sorrow, draw me
Nearer to your care.

May dread, Lord, bring me
Closer to your heart,

And anguish, always lead me
Into prayer.

Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44; NIV). 

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you (Deuteronomy 33:27; NLT).

References 

He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; BLB). 

He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38; NIV). 

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NIV). 

Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17; NIV). 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6; NLT).

 

Worry

Ruth Kirk

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7; NLT).

Whenever you worry,
Just worry with God;
Whenever you weep,
Weep with Him.

Whenever you panic,
Just panic with God;
Share all that you face,
Even sin.

Whenever you stumble,
You stumble with God,
So turn to Him quickly,
Reach out –

For the Father is waiting;
He suffers with you;
Trust His love; take his hand:
Never doubt.

Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:29-31; NIV).

 

I breathe you in

Ruth Kirk

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4; NLT). 

I breathe you in,
And breathe you out,
Without a word,
Or thought, or doubt.

You breathe within:
I share your breath
Unceasingly,
Until my death.

Lord, we are one:
You live in me,
And I in you,
Eternally.

Both life and death
Are your domain:
With silent love,
I praise your name.

On earth, below,
In bliss, above,
Through silence, Lord,
We share our love.

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NIV).

 

No matter what happens

Ruth Kirk

Yesterday, at the end of a time of quiet prayer, today’s verses began to flow, gradually taking shape during the rest of the day.

The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (Mark 12:29-30; NLT).

No matter what happens
I’ll love you.
To all you ordain
I’ll say: “Yes.”
Whatever you take
I’ll rejoice, Lord.
Whatever you send
I will bless.

No matter what happens
I’ll worship,
And all you impose
I’ll embrace.
In troubles and tests
I’ll give thanks, Lord,
For here, in your hands,
I am safe.

I am in the hands of the Lord, the Most High is my safe resting-place (Psalm 91:9; BBE).

References

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).

The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

A reading: Job receives disastrous, life-changing news

Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything (Job 1:20-22; CSB).

 

Golden darkness

Ruth Kirk

Yesterday morning, as I greeted my icons one by one, the first words of this prayer came directly into my mind. These verses attempt to describe experiencing the presence of Christ during wordless prayer, in life, whilst dying, and in paradise. We can dip in and out of this experience until we die, but after death it will be all we know, and all we want to know.

Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT). 

Moses approached the thick darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21; NLT).

Golden darkness deep within,
Far from stress, and shame and sin;
Lost in worship, bliss and peace –
Rest, in life, with Christ, our Priest.

Golden splendour all about,
Letting go of dread and doubt;
Lost in rapture, joy and love –
Walk, with Christ, to heaven above.

Golden glory all around,
Free from pain, with mercy crowned;
Lost in ecstasy, we soar –
To be with Christ, for evermore.

Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17; NLT).

 

In your arms

Ruth Kirk

This simple poem arrived during a time of quiet worship:

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27; NKJV).

We wake, pray, and rejoice, Lord,
In your arms;
We give, share, and receive, Lord,
In your hands.

We toil, strive, and progress, Lord,
In your arms;
We fail, sin, and repent, Lord,
In your hands.

We suffer and submit, Lord,
In your arms;
We grieve, weep, and endure, Lord,
In your hands.

We rage, doubt, and despair, Lord,
In your arms;
We hope, trust, and believe, Lord,
In your hands.

We love, serve, and remain, Lord,
In your arms;
We live, die, and unite, Lord,
In your hands.

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV). 

 

Breathing

Ruth Kirk

This prayer arrived gently yesterday, during silent contemplation:

He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth (Isaiah 42:5; NLT). 

I breathe you in,
And breathe you out:
No word, or thought;
No fear, or doubt.

I breathe you out,
And breathe you in:
You know me,
And forgive my sin.

I breathe you in,
And breathe you out:
You’re always here –
Within, without.

I breathe you out,
And breathe you in:
My Lord, my God –
My closest kin.

Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother (Matthew 12:50; NLT).

References 

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT). 

O LORD, you are our Father (Isaiah 64:8; NLT). 

Since we are his children, we are his heirs (Romans 8:17; NLT).

No need to study

Ruth Kirk

Today’s prayer is the second of a linked pair which came to me last Wednesday morning. For those who are interested, the first part is called “My way”, and here is a link to it: https://wp.me/p45bCr-e39.

Much study wears you out (Ecclesiastes 12:12; NLT).

No need to study,
No need to wait,
No need to doubt, Lord:
You are my faith.

No need to waver,
No need to quote,
No need to fear, Lord:
You are my hope.

Father, around me,
Jesus, above,
Spirit, within me:
You are my love.

Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

God is love (1 John 4:16; NLT).

References 

There is …one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1; NIV). .

We believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory (Romans 8:23; NLT). 

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (Song of Songs 2:16; NIV).

I jumped up to open the door for my love (Song of Songs 5:5; NLT).

A reading from Psalm 139:5-10; NLT.

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.