The Good Portion

It had been three new moons since the people of Israel ducked out of their bloodied doorways and fled the plagued and wailing Egypt. They had walked through the Red Sea on dry land with water stacked in mounds to their left and right. They had turned back to see the Egyptian army drown. Even their food and drink had been provided by miracle. Through it all, in spite of their grumbling and complaining, God proved his good intentions. Through it all, despite His provision, they complained. Now they stood at the base of Mt. Sinai, careful not to step beyond the makeshift barriers erected to protect them from the holiness of the God who had made it all happen. They witnessed His glory. They heard the thunder of His voice as He gave them the law “out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and the thick darkness” (Deut. 5.22) They agreed to obey His every word. Moses sprinkled them with sacrificial blood, and they entered into covenant with Him. But the blood of bulls and goats was not...

The only real peace and joy I have ever known have come from knowing Jesus Christ. When my trust in Him wanes, so does my hope for the future. As I slide into despair my usual distractions can no longer drown out the pain. In desperation I remember Christ and cry out for rescue. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. - C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain I hate anxiety and depression, but I’m also thankful that God won't let me be happy when I lose my way. He uses my pain to lead me back to His word, back to his faithfulness, back to his plan. Through these things he restores my perspective, my faith in his goodness, and my hope in Christ. I’m learning to be sensitive to the first wispy clouds of fear and doubt, to recognize trouble is brewing, and to run quickly to him for help instead of groping for ways to take the edge off my feelings. His is the only help that gets to the heart of...