sunrise

missed the sunrise this morning. i was sitting at my east-facing window waiting for the world become light when i realized the clouds were blocking the sun. i know its there but i cannot see it unfortunately. there is some kind of metaphor in there somewhere.

its so very cold, it seems on mornings like today that everything just wants to curl in on itself and go to sleep somewhere warm.

there is one rose left on my rosebush and You put it right in front of my window-thank you. i am debating going out there and cutting it off to 'rescue' it from the cold. but if i did it would probably only last a day or so even here where its warm. what can you do? all things perish (but YOU remain!)

beautiful example of true faith and steadfastness:
"how long , O LORD? will you forget me forever? how long will you hide Your face from me? ...how long will my enemy be exalted over me? ...but i have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. i will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." ps 13:1,2b,5-6

the lovely thing about this passage is that we do not have to assume that david was referring to his present circumstances when he spoke of the Lord dealing with him bountifully. he may have been but that is not necessarily implicit. i, rather, believe that he was making a blanket statement about the goodness of the Lord and how he has treated him in times past. the Lord has dealt with him bountifully, this is an accepted fact. the goodness of the Lord does not depend on his present circumstances because whether they be good or evil, the Lord had dealt with him bountifully. that is faith that will be steadfast: faith independent of circumstances.

Father, thank you for being such a gracious, LORD. You truly have dealt with me bountifully. i take comfort in Your constancy and in your promises. You promise good things to me and i will confidently expect them. not wavering when the evil of the world rises around me and threatens me for you are enthroned in Your holy temple. You are not moved. and You see.