And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up. (1 Kings 17:7)

This week I am sharing a devotion and poem that touched my heart. It’s about those times of dryness or difficulty. While those days and times are unpleasant, we have the opportunity to grow closer to God than at any other time. The long night, the quiet heaven, the lonely road; when our souls are seeking an answer, but none comes. We are challenged to put our feelings aside and trust in God. Faith grows stronger through endurance and patience. Allow this devotion from “Springs in the Valley” to minister to you.

God sent Elijah to the brook and it dried up.

It did not prove equal to the need of the prophet. It failed; God knew it would; He made it to fail. “The brook dried up.” This is an aspect of the Divine providence that sorely perplexes our minds and tries our faith. God knows that there are heavenly whispers that men cannot hear till the drought of trouble and perhaps weariness has silenced the babbling brooks of joy. And He is not satisfied until we have learned to depend, not upon His gifts, but upon Himself. PERCY AINSWORTH

Poem by J. DANSON SMITH

His camp was pitched where Cherith’s stream was flowing— The man of God!
‘Twas God’s appointed spot!
When it might fail, he knew not; only knowing That God cared for his lot.

Full many days on Cherith’s bank he camped him, And from its cool refreshing, drew his share; And foolish fears of failing streams ne’er damped him; Was he not God’s own care?

Yet, lo, at length, the prospect strangely altered; The drought e’en Cherith’s fountain had assailed;
Slowly but sure, the flowing waters faltered Until, at last, they failed!

Then came the word from One whose eye beholding Saw that the stream, the living stream had dried,
Sending him forth, to find by new unfolding, None of his needs denied.

Perchance thou, too, hath camped by such sweet waters. And quenched with joy thy weary, parched soul’s thirst;
To find, as time goes on, thy streamlet alters from what it was at first.

Hearts that have cheered, or soothed, or blest, or strengthened,
Loves that have lavished so unstintedly, Joys, treasured joys—have passed, as time hath lengthened,

Into obscurity.

If thus, ah soul, the brook thy heart hath cherished Doth fail thee now—no more thy thirst assuage—
If its once glad, refreshing streams have perished, Let HIM thy heart engage.

He will not fail, nor mock, nor disappoint thee; His consolations change not with the years;
With oil of joy He surely will anoint thee, And wipe away thy tears.

Dear Lord, You give us blessings then you allow us to grow in faith by allowing the blessings to dry up. Holy Spirit, remind us to trust God. Remind us to look beyond the present and our feelings. Help us to look at Your blessings in the past and Your promises. We will trust you and be patient with our lightnside glowing brighter even as the brook runs dry.

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble, gentle. Be PATIENT, bearing with one another in love.

As I was thinking about patience, the Holy Spirit placed Psalms 23 on my mind. All the verses can help me see the value and blessing of being patient in things of this world and patient for God’s work and direction in my life.

Patience in Ephesians 4:2 is being calm and non-reactive when mistreated. I believe Psalms 23 will cover the situations we find ourselves in as we walk this troubled world.

Psalm 23:1-6 NIV

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Patience – God loves and cares for me. He knows my needs and supplies what I need. I can have patience for God’s promises. God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit give me what I need in my life. Even if it’s not what I would choose, with God, I lack nothing.

[2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

 Patience – Sometimes the Lord steps into the path I am walking and stops me cold. He makes things slow down and sometimes stops. I am not happy about it, and I may be frustrated that I am not going where I need to go…but I look at my surroundings, I begin to notice the beauty around me. God’s creation and wonder are on display. Over thousands of years, He has managed nature, and it is in perfect harmony. I notice I am beginning to be calm and peaceful. As I am patient, He quiets me in a safe place.

[3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Patience – God sends truth and peace to my heart as He begins to guide me on the right path. His presence refreshes me. I seek Him and wait for His guidance. Suddenly His path is revealed. I walk as Christ leads me. He, and His word, is a light to my path. Psalms 119:105.

 [4] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

Patience – Life has its unexpected moments of difficulty and pain. The phone call, the doctor’s words, family issues. We walk through difficult times. We are mistreated and sometimes slandered. Sometimes we are accused of lies. I choose to be patient because I am not alone. We walk “through” them to the other side because God’s grace and His presence never left us. He is there sustaining you. In difficult times you can show the character of Christ to others through your patience with God’s presence. (I have more work to do in this area!!)

 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Patience – Healthy kids enjoy structure and loving parents that believe in discipline. There is safety in fences. God’s word sets boundaries in my life. When I decide to cross that boundary, I know I will feel God’s rod and staff.  It is the love of God to bring correction in my life. He uses other people and situations to bring me back into His loving arms. Be patient in the punishments. When it’s done its work in your heart and life, you will be blessed and stronger.

 [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Patience – Even in struggling times, we can be patient with God to bring help. Even in dark times, God brings incredible blessings to us, and in painful times the Holy Spirit anoints us with His presence. “God, help me to be patient and trust in you. Help me to look and enjoy your goodness and presence even in painful times. My heart overflows. It is the peace that passes all understanding. It’s the joy in the morning. It’s Jesus entering my storming ship to bring peace.”

[6] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  

Patience – Lord, you are so good to me. I stand amazed as I look back and see Your goodness and love following me, covering me, and healing me. I am patient on this earth until the trumpet sounds, and I am called up to You to dwell forever in Your presence. 

Allow your patient Lightnside to glorify God this week.

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and GENTLE…

Where does gentleness start?

Gentleness is an inward trait that is not common to man in his lost state. A baby begins to understand the world revolves around them and is subject to them. The child starts to fight for dominance as they grow. If unchecked, the child will grow up selfish, manipulative, mean, and disrespectful to all. If the parents have a gentle spirit, they teach the child to grow in obedience, sharing, and kindness. It is a learned trait. Gentleness comes from teaching and an example.

Matthew 11:29 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

A change of perspective

The more we grow in the knowledge of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in our character, the more like Christ we become. It is a change of our perspective of the world. Growing in Christ means looking at the world and others differently. We see situations more as Christ saw them. We begin to see people who earlier in our Christian walk we might profile them as rude and mean. Now we see them as broken people in search of hope. Instead of us reacting to their behavior, we respond out of our hearts. The trigger is love for others.  We become more gentle because our perspective about the world has changed. We begin to pray for our enemies. We begin to treat others with kindness because of our heart’s view. Our prayers in the morning are for people God has put in our lives and our hearts. We begin to love the world with a taste of God’s love. Our gentleness is not natural. It is a transformation from God’s Word, Christ’s cleaning power, and a gift of the Holy Spirit.

 Gentle Scriptures

Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”

1 Timothy 6:11 “But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness”.

Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted”.

Titus 3:1-2 “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone”.

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger” .

Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit”.

Let your lightnside reflect the gentleness God is giving you this week.