I gaze out as the morning sun rises through the Weeping Cherry. It’s new and hopeful as I turn to God.
I find this as I read Psalm 21 where David praises God:
“[You have] made him glad with the joy of your presence. . . through the unfailing love of the Most High, he will not be shaken” (Psalm 12:6-7). I read it again with joy:
“. . . glad with the joy of your presence. . . not be shaken. . . “
David knew that gladness comes from the joy of God’s presence always available to us. He knew this unfailing love that, even in the midst of battle and great fear–would keep him steady.
But then I read this familiar verse just a page over in Psalm 22:
“They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.”
Finally, I read the incomprehensible words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 6 where surely he was shaken, disappointed, and discouraged. He writes in verses 4-10 about everything that could possibly go wrong: He has trouble, distress, hardship, beating, imprisonment, sleeplessness, hunger, dishonor, loss of reputation, insult, near death, great sorrow, and poverty.
And yet. He says this:
“. . . having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
What promises to know! What did David and Paul understand about Jesus to know this saving, joyful, abundant presence? That’s what I’ve been exploring lately. I’m growing in my faith to know these promises–to have nothing and yet to possess everything–because of Jesus.
(And did you notice that the light comes through the leaves on the Weeping Cherry that have been ripped or damaged? I love that in those places of pain, Light comes through! David knew this in battle; Paul knew this in prison. They had nothing yet everything.)