“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
The perfect incandescent white crescent encupping a grey circle of moon pokes large and bright above the horizon in a sky smattered with stars. (A star streaks in an arc, then quickly burns out.) This new day is barely unfolding, yet full of promise from that one slice of light that there is more awaiting, more at work than meets the eye. There is completeness in the sharp edges, substance in the darkness. Though we may not see fully, the moon is still round.
In many seasons and situations we see dimly and know incompletely. We scramble for information and long for answers. We rage at what we learn because it cannot really be so, and yet it is, so we search to tie pieces together to gain understanding. Is the valley endless? Can the shadow be any thicker? Will the darkness ever lift? Is there even a glimmer of hope in the heaviness? Why can’t I see it all now? (1 Corinthians 13:12)
As long as we live here below, we will have unanswered questions and unresolved pain. But there are truths we know for certain and can trust by faith. Faith propels us forward without fear. Faith in God guards against bitterness. Faith’s fruit develops and fosters deeper trust as we learn to walk by the light we have. We can believe the moon is still round, though we cannot see it all.
Where am I fainting, fearing, or flagging in faith? Would I trust more than my eye can see, that God is working behind the scenes, and reveals gradually increasing slices of light as He sees fit? He who designed and sustains lunar cycles knows the beginning from the end and every part in between, but calls me to do the next right thing as light is revealed to me. (Isaiah 46:9-10; Revelation 1:8)
“Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
as thy beauty fills my soul,
for by thy transforming power,
thou hast made me whole.
Simply trusting thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold thee as thou art,
and thy love, so pure, so changeless,
satisfies my heart;
satisfies its deepest longings,
meets, supplies its ev’ry need,
compasseth me round with blessings:
thine is love indeed.” ~Jean Sophia Pigott (1876)
Lord, keep me ever trusting and resting in Thee, knowing the moon is round, and that You are writing my story according to Your perfect, glorious will.
As the rain and snow 