Hidden Treasures from the Dark Places

 Hidden Treasures 

from the Dark Places

I will give you
the treasures of darkness

and hidden riches 
of secret places,

that you may know 
that I, the Lord,

who call you by your name,
am the God of Israel.

Isaiah 45:3

Rain down,
you heavens, from above,

and let the skies

pour down righteousness;

Let the earth open,

let them bring forth salvation,
and let righteousness

spring up together.

I, the Lord, have created it.

Isaiah 45:8

  

Trust in the Lord 

with all your heart,
and lean not on

your own understanding;
In all your ways

acknowledge Him,
and He shall

direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 

“For I know the plans 

I have for you,”

declares the LORD,

“plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you

hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 

~*~*~

Several in our family visited Rock Springs at Kelly Park last week. I couldn't resist taking most of these pictures up near the dark cave that is the source of the springs. Then I crossed the bridge and meandered along a quiet path with the lush trees branching overhead and fascinating fungus growing on the rotting logs. 

We enjoyed tubing the two sections of stream. Up near the source, the current flows rapidly, and due to the rough rocks just under the surface in some parts, you almost have to be all the way on top of a tube to keep your shins and ankles from getting bruised. Hold on tight, too, because you can flip over and lose your tube in the turbulence. 

However, down past the swimming hole area, the stream is waist deep and more tranquil, so you can easily float, swim, or walk through the water if you like. 

Isn't that contrast between the two sections of the stream a lot like life?

~*~*~

My friend Jessica and I sat and chatted yesterday about the comfort and guidance we find in the Scriptures during times of confusion or disillusionment in our lives. I told her that earlier in the day, my counselor had brought up Jeremiah 29:11 as an encouragement to release my burdens into God's hands as I continue to do my own part working at life change. In reply, Jessica reminded me of one of her favorite passages, Proverbs 3:5-6, again about trusting God. At that, I recalled the phrase "treasures of darkness" and looked it up on the Bible app on my iPod to find it in Isaiah 45:3. We talked about the good things that often result when we go through dark or rocky times. My own friendship with Jessica has grown deeper all these years through steadfastly encouraging each other through difficulties.  As a Christian believer for the past 38 years, I've often gained valuable gems of intimacy with God and wholehearted compassion for others as I have encountered various challenging life experiences. Fresh water can flow from dark caves. A delicate and lovely fungus can grow on a rotten log. A beautiful mystery, yes?

~*~*~

I almost posted this on either This Mom Grows Up or Watch the Shepherd. However, since I've already been writing a lot about Scriptures and difficulty on both of those blogs, and I haven't posted here recently, I chose Virginia's Life, Such As It Is. You might like to see these related links from the others:

• Stones of Hope and Joy
• When Life is Not a Bowl of Cherries
• Adding Wisdom to Strength
• Abigail's Story
• The Star of Hope is Still in the Sky When the Night is Blackest

Grace and peace,
Virginia Knowles
www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com

P.S. Scriptures were taken from the NKJV and NIV versions of the Bible.