Light in the dimness of my soul

PIC: Jesus2nd-Coming. Thanks-simon-wilkes. 348979. Unsplash

– Excerpt from: More Than Meets the Eye, by Richard A. Swenson, MD; richardswenson.com/about; NavPress; ©2000, pages 185-186.

The truths of Scripture, the life of Christ, the discoveries of science – all should combine to lift us heavenward.  Yet we remain strangely anxious.  Our days are swamped by the mundane; our nights are swallowed by insomnia. Seldom do we know true restedness.

Yet God would tell us,

“Be still before me; wait patiently. Trust in me, and I will give you rest.”

See References about “trust” and “rest”:
Psalm 46:10, Psalm 40:4, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 56:11, Psalm 28:7, Matthew 11:28

We know that God is out there, that He sees and cares. But we are still tempted to run our lives independently, often consulting Him only for crises or trivialities. Yet God would tell us,

“Don’t you know that I care ^{1 Peter 5:7} more about you than a hundred billion galaxies?  That I work in your life ^{Philippians 2:13} on a thousand levels all at the same time?”

We have heard that God is strong, but perhaps have trouble believing that His strength extends all the way to our problems. “Most of us believe God can move mountains” ^{Matthew 17:20}, observes Russ Johnston. “But how many of us believe He will?  There’s a world of difference.”

We believe God can work mightily on our behalf, but we really aren’t sure He will.”  Yet God would tell us if we but “have faith as a grain of mustard seed…” ^{Matthew 17:20}

The Almighty has sufficiently demonstrated His greatness in both the Scriptures and science. The problem is not a deficiency on God’s part but rather dimness  on ours ^{Cambrige Dict}.

“Spirit of God descend upon my heart…
I ask not dreams,
no prophet ecstasies…
but take the dimness
of my soul away.”  ¹

Only then will we rest under a full awareness of His dominion. “Oh, that we might learn the undefeatedness of God!” ^{1 John 5:4, John 16:33} said Watchman Nee.

In the end, sovereignty wins. In the end, glory will be unrestrained. Finally, at long last, God will deliver us from our dimness. And in the shelter of the most High, we will enter our rest

– Excerpt from: More Than Meets the Eye, by Richard A. Swenson, MD; richardswenson.com/about; NavPress; ©2000, pages 185-186.

FOR MORE:

The truths of Scripture, the life of Christ, the discoveries of science – all should combine to lift us heavenward.  Yet we remain strangely anxious.  Our days are swamped by the mundane; our nights are swallowed by insomnia. Seldom do we know true restedness. Yet God would tell us, “Be still before me; wait patiently. Trust in me, and I will give you rest.” – Excerpt from: More Than Meets the Eye, by Richard A. Swenson, MD
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Hymn – I saw the Light | “no more darkness, no more pain” | Hank Williams – I Saw The Light Lyrics | AZLyrics.com

Light in the Darkness…articles on this theme

What it means to walk in the Light, not in Darkness

Warning not to drink of what is not pure water

Light in the dimness of my soul

God is easy, light-handed, gentle…Jesus is the Light

Matthew 11:29-30 ^AMP
29 Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me
[following Me as My disciple],
for I am gentle
and humble in heart,
and you will find rest
(renewal, blessed quiet)
for your souls.
³⁰ For My yoke is easy [to bear]
and My burden is light.”

Is your light actually Darkness?

Enlightened Folks…in Darkness – not in the Light

A light at the end of the tunnel | by Dennis Swick | Excerpt: So despite the bad things we go through, and the times that seem like we are in a dark tunnel, there is always light at the end of it for those that believe that Jesus is the Light (John 8:12, 9:5; 1 John 1:5, Psalm 27:1 ). He is the light for whoever believes in Him and becomes a new creature (John 3:3). Old things are passed away, behold all things become new (2 Cor. 5:17)

Living it Deep…in the Light

Study the Light – with Dr. Peter Larson… study here the sections on the Light

Study Guide on Ephesians – With Dr. Peter Larson

1. Ephesians 4:17-32. Living as Children of Light  – Ephesians 4:17-32
2. Ephesians 5:1-14. Living as Children of Light  – Ephesians 5:1-14
3. Ephesians 5:15-21. The Holy Spirit’s Filling  – Ephesians 5:15-21

1. George Croly (1780-1860) hymn, “Spirit of God, Decend upon My Heart.”.