Tag: the Truth

The Grace-Giver Gives and Gives and Gives Again

Trudy Den Hoed26 Comments

“He giveth and giveth and giveth again.”

Words I still hear in my mind from a cassette tape many years ago. Darlene Rose, a missionary in Papua New Guinea during and after WWII, suffered in a Japanese prison camp for four years and lived to testify of the power of God’s grace. Through torture, death threats, and her husband’s death in another prison, Darlene continued to place all her hope in Jesus. He was the Grace-Giver she constantly cried out to. And He repeatedly reminded her that His grace is sufficient. Not was. Not will be. But IS.

Through all our troubles in life, whatever they may be, we need and have the same Grace-Giver. When we’re sinking in the midst of troubles and losses, we can’t always see God in them. But often in hindsight, we can see He gives and gives and gives again. Far above what we ask or think, His limitless grace sustains us and makes it possible for us to survive.

A couple of weeks ago, triggered emotions of pain and betrayal ran deep and threatened to drown me.

I longed to walk in God’s creation, a place of rest God has often used to comfort me and remind me He is Almighty and still in control, but the air was too cold for me. Then God gave us a warmer day and I headed to one of my favorite areas on the bike trail.

As I walked, I asked God for a deer, but I quickly withdrew my request – “I’m so sorry, God, if I’m being unthankful. You already showed me a butterfly. Thank You!”

Several steps further, my heart stilled in awe. A deer! Thank You, Lord!

Jets thundered overhead, and she gracefully leaped over the brush into the safety of the woods nearby.

My heart, too, was longing for refuge from the thunder of my emotions. Oh, how I ached to leap into God’s arms.

I headed over the bridge and sat down on a bench and begged God to bring truth to light and to take my fear away. This heart-wrenching fear for victims of abuse.

“I am the Truth… I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” He whispered. He assured me that if I open my heart to be filled by Him who is Truth, I need not fear what happens. I just need to listen for the voice of Truth Himself who has the power to reach every single person in this world.

The lyrics of a song by Casting Crowns began to play in my heart and continued often through the coming days:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory…”

Victims all over this world are silenced and not believed, afraid and devastated beyond what many can ever understand. But God who is Truth Himself remains and knows what’s true. He cares and understands us more than anyone ever will. He sees every single tear that falls, and He cries with us.

His unlimited grace pours out to hurting souls. This moment. Right now. No matter what we have lost. No matter how dark and lonely we feel. No matter what anyone thinks or says of us.

We may not always feel like His grace reaches us, but often in hindsight we see His steps of grace all along the way. Lighting our way in the dark, carrying us when we are too weak to walk on, and breathing hope into us when we feel like giving up.

Yes, the Grace-Giver gives and gives and gives again. He invites us to tap into His powerful love that heals us. And even when we waver and doubt, He still keeps giving us His strength to keep going. His grace IS sufficient. Not was. Not will be. But IS.

“But He said to me,
‘My grace is sufficient for you,
for My power is made perfect in weakness.'”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“Jesus answered,
‘I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.'”
John 14:6
“Then you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32

“Voice of Truth”
by Casting Crowns

Fear Flees to Safe Arms

Trudy Den Hoed4 Comments
safeinhisarms
The eternal God is your refuge,
and His everlasting arms
are under you.”
(Deuteronomy 33:27a NLT)

A bunny runs for her life. The dog is gaining ground. So close his breath feels hot and his bark rings in her ears. My emotions entwine with the bunny’s. Heart-thumping, stomach-clenching, bone-piercing fear.

My husband was surfing channels just as I walked past. I stopped and stood like a statue, waiting to see what was going to happen. I love dogs, and they were my best friends as a child, but in this picture I did not see the dog as a friend. I could only see myself from the perspective of the bunny as fear pounded in my ears and tightened up my muscles.

Hurry, bunny! Run! Run! Relief flooded my veins as the bunny got to a hole where the dog couldn’t reach him. But the dog stuck its head in the hole and kept on barking fearlessly, ferociously, forcefully. Tension again, then “Whew!” He could only fit his head in. And yet he persisted, and I could almost feel the razor-sharp snap of his fangs.

Bats swinging from above screeched and flapped, adding frightening notes to the scene. The dog was unrestrained while the poor bunny shrunk tiny against the back of the hole. Just out of reach.

Then in a flash one bat swooped down and bit hard into the dog’s nose. Yelping in pain, the dog couldn’t get his head out fast enough.

Apparently this was a prelude to a movie. I don’t know for sure, because my husband surfed on. I don’t know why, but for some reason I identified with the bunny. Maybe because my emotions have been more raw lately. I suppose the ominous music in the background didn’t help.

I had to watch until the scene played out. I just had to root for the bunny’s safety. I just had to make certain he was out of danger. Okay, I know this is just a natural scene of everyday life, but it stirred up emotions in me.

When deep emotions get triggered, I have to process why. So I stop and think as I sort this out. I know I often over-analyze, but this dog reminded me of the evil of a perpetrator and the devil himself (though I hate to think of a dog as a devil). The hole was the grace of God holding him back, not letting him reach me.

I am the “bunny” running in fear from demons of the past, then scrambling for refuge in the arms of Jesus. I run in and the devil can no longer torment me. I cry out, “Jesus!” And the devil yelps and takes off with his tail between his legs.

The bats? Ok, maybe they were just angry from being disturbed. But I like to think they were protecting the helpless bunny.

Do you sometimes feel like this bunny? Flee to the wide open arms of Jesus. And you will be safe.

The devil is a liar and loves to hit us in the vulnerable spots, shooting his arrows of lies into our thoughts. God describes him as always lurking and prowling around us, roaring like a lion, ready to devour us  in a weak moment.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

But a comforting TRUTH is that Jesus has already conquered the devil. We are safe in His arms.

“The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation).” (Psalm 9:9 AMP)

A Child's Trust

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