Last week during my early morning drive to work, a new moon shone ahead. The thought occurred to me that faith is like a new moon: Just because I can't see the rest of the moon's round shape, does not mean the narrow sliver is all there is. This little shard of moon was a subtle reminder of God's fingerprints on my life whispering that what I see is not all there is.
As I contemplated the moon above me that morning, I recalled my devotional reading Streams in the Desert, that I had read before bed the night before:
Trusting even when it appears you have been forsaken; praying when it seems your words are simply entering a vast expanse where no one hears and no voice answers; believing that God's love is complete and that He is aware of your circumstances, even when your world seems to grind on as if setting its own direction and not caring for life or moving one inch in response for you; waiting patiently while seemingly starving to death, with your only fear being that your faith might fail--"this is the victory that has overcome the world;" this is genuine faith indeed. George MacDonald
Our universe is filled with planets, moons and stars, which our God set in place, knowing them each by name; yet He cares for us. Each of us will walk through trying times, dark valleys and seasons of hardships, but with each step, over every obstacle, through all circumstances, our God is with us. We may not see what Elohim is doing on our behalf with our physical eyes, but His Presence is with us, gently guiding us and working out every situation for His ultimate glory.
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. Psalm 139:7-12 NIV
In the midst of my own struggles, the LORD is teaching me to faithfully pray for several friends who are facing life and death struggles. Each morning at ten o'clock soft chimes sound from my phone signaling me to pray for those I love, and a few I don't even know, brothers and sisters in Christ who are battling cancer. The deep, dark pit of illness can resemble a night with only a slightly visible moon, or perhaps no moon at all. How can anything good come from such a wicked illness?
A friend of mine who walked this road many years ago told me that when you are going through the darkness of cancer, often you are unable to pray for yourself, your family or even contemplate the goodness of our Abba Father. She explained how easy it was to fall into hopelessness. Through her illness she depended on friends and family to pray what she was unable to pray for herself. I want to be that kind of friend, in the midst of trials, I want to be faithful and encouraging.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV
On nights when there is no moon, the depth of the darkness makes it easier to see the multitude of stars strategically placed in the sky. When we cannot see our Redeemer, perhaps it is so we can better see all those He has placed in our lives who shine for His glory. Because I love you, the Father is teaching me of His faithfulness, how to be a faithful friend, to stop what I am doing, wherever I am, every morning at ten o'clock to beseech Him on your behalf. My prayer is that He will strengthen you, give you hope, relieve your experience and encourage your family. Even though you may not see or hear these prayers, believers are interceding on your behalf in love and faithfulness. Our faith is being strengthened through our journey with you. Elohim be praised.
Mighty YHVH, You are the Holy One, Creator God over all creation. There is nothing too hard for You to accomplish. I humbly come before You on behalf of my sisters and brothers in Christ who are suffering with cancer, to ask that You, Yahweh Rophe, the God who heals, restore health to them. I believe that You work every situation for the glory of Your Name, so the world will see Your compassion, strength and power. Please provide perseverance and courage to my friends, that they may face their battles with assurance and peace that You are who You say You are, and You are in absolute control of all things on the earth below and the heavens above. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV) In grateful submission to You, ABBA, Father God, Your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit who guides us, the Trinity, three in One, forever. Amen.