wilderness – Seeking God's face together

Sea of hope

March 9, 2021Ruth Kirk

Image: jplenio, Pixabay

💙

Lord,

1. Guide me
In life’s wilderness,

2. And lead me
Through my darkest night.

3. Comfort
And support me, Lord –

4. Please take my hand,
And hold it tight.

5. Bring me to
Your sea of hope,

6. And help me cross
Your waves of light,

7. To reach, at last,
Your perfect love –

8. For all are precious
In your sight.

💙

References

1. Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path…

2. …nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take (Nehemiah 9:19; NIV).

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…

3. …thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

Your right hand supports me (Psalm 18:35; NLT).

4. I will take you by the hand and guard you (Isaiah 42:6; NLT).

Your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT).

5. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope (Psalm 119:114; NLT).

6. God is light (1 John 1:5; NIV). 

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

Perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love (1 John 4:18; NLT).

Love […] is the bond of perfect unity (Colossians 3:14; BSB).

8. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants (Psalm 116:15; NIV).

He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made (Psalm 145:9; NIV).

The wilderness of life

October 31, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: LoggaWiggler, Pixabay

Just as the Lord our God commanded us, we left Mount Sinai
and travelled through the great and terrifying wilderness
(Deuteronomy 1:19; NLT).

1. Lord Jesus Christ, I seek you
In the wilderness
Of life.

2. Please teach me how to find you
In the wilderness
Of prayer.

3. Lord, let me get to know you
In the wilderness
You trod.

4. Then we will live together,
In the wilderness
Of God.

The Lord your God cared for you all along the way
as you travelled through the wilderness,
just as a father cares for his child
(Deuteronomy 1:31; NLT).

References

1. Keep on seeking, and you will find (Luke 11:9; NLT).

Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless (Psalm 107:4; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

2. Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1; NLT).

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil (Matthew 4:1; NLT).

Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (Luke 5:16; NLT).

3. Then their eyes were opened and they knew him (Luke 24:31; NKJV).

4. They will live in the barren wilderness (Jeremiah 17:6; NLT).

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (Isaiah 55:8; NLT).

It’s four in the morning

October 24, 2020Ruth Kirk

Image: skeeze, Pixabay

1. It’s four in the morning.
I’m here, all alone,
Waiting for you, Lord,
To speak.

2. This is my desert.
This is my rest.
You are the pathway
I seek.

3. It’s five in the morning.
I’m silent and still,
Longing to gaze
On your face.

4. This is my wasteland.
This is my peace.
You are the Spirit
Of grace.

5. It’s six in the morning.
I lie in the dark,
Yearning to witness
Your light.

6. This is my wilderness.
This is my joy.
You are the fountain
Of life.

References

1. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence (Psalm 62:5; ESV).

2. [Jesus] departed thence in a boat, into a desert place apart (Matthew 13:14; WEB).

Jesus said, “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way” (John 14:6; NLT).

3. Be silent before the Sovereign Lord (Zephaniah 1:7; NIV).

Be still in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 37:7; NLT).

When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied (Psalm 17:15; NLT).

4. I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:20; NIV).

My peace I give you (John 14:27; NIV).

I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10; NKJV).

5. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night (Psalm 63:6; NLT).

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine (Isaiah 9:2; NLT).

6. Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (Luke 5:16; NLT).

I will go to the altar of God, to God – the source of all my joy (Psalm 43:4; NLT).

You are the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9; NLT).