No journey is complete that does not lead through some dark valleys. We can properly comfort others only with the comfort wherewith we ourselves have been comforted of God.
From Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Vance Havner (1901-1986) was an American pastor and Christian author. During his many years of service to the Lord, he preached throughout America.
Someone in despair
Extending bright light of grace—
Hope fills one more heart
Lost in valley’s depths
Healing’s descending courage—
Quiet peace surrounds
Life’s roller coaster
Leaving peril’s ups and downs—
Straightened and smooth
From Isaiah 53:9: “They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.”
Born before light breathes
God’s master blueprint
Only darkness exists
Waiting, His Son’s footprint
Sin breathes at Eden
Perfect light shattered
Tomorrow’s harsh darkness
Righteousness now scattered
From garden’s shadows
Bloody cross awaits
Savior’s light journeys on
From heaven’s open gate
God’s people wander
Darkness covers world
Divine plan’s fulfillment
Messiah’s light unfurled
Light moves against sin
Nailed to rugged tree
Every transgression paid
Saving grace sets man free
From Isaiah 53:10: “Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with affliction. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper.”
From John 4:23-24: “But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Wilderness travels
Darkness trembles, taking flight
Father always with thee
Witnessing Savior’s light
Mayhem’s daily noise
Stepping away, seeking peace
Father delivers truth
Savior transforms faith’s lease
Hope flowing with joy
Aligning with Spirit’s heart
Father’s eternal love
Savior’s breath brings fresh start
Cross proclaims mercy
Paying for every debt owed
Father’s unselfish grace
His love paves Savior’s road
Righteousness feeds faith
Bearing Spirit’s timely fruits
From Father’s blessed vine
Savior nurtures each root
From John 15:7-8: “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples.”
From John 20:19-20: “When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After He said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”
Witnessing faithful heart
Soul filling with boldness
Praying to Risen Savior
Transformed from Calvary’s coldness
Flowing from high mountains
Gift of living water
Feeding Jordan’s headwaters
Baptized each son and daughter
Proving mercy conquers death
Christ leads to faith’s rebirth
Walking no more in darkness
Anchored forgiveness at hope’s berth
Hearing “Peace be with you”
Spirit’s power now comes
Bestowing eternal joy
Heard from harmony’s faithful drum
Calling each believer
Go forth, share Savior’s grace
Blessing as He blesses us
Enriched with Resurrection’s embrace
From Acts 4:32-33: “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”
From John 7:37-38: “On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, He cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me, and let the one who believes in Me drink.’ As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.'”
Resurrection’s eternal light
Enemy’s darkness surrenders
Glory of Christ, forever bright
Holy Spirit’s peace, so tender
Precious river shall always flow
Savior’s grace offers faithful hope
Living water shall never slow
Forgiveness offers mercy’s rope
Come all to witness freedom’s tomb
Believe and each shall receive grace
Light forever shines from this room
Spirit unites this Holy place
From heavenly vision above
Safest harbor rises from dust
Infinite mercy bearing love
Eternity’s river of trust
From Revelation 22:1-3: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him.”
From Joshua 24:15: “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Glory of God breathes
Upon those who serve
Accepting His call
Filling faith’s reserve
Light’s pathway to serve
Faith growing robust
Witnessing Jesus
Branching out with trust
Christ’s blessed invite
Service taking root
Maturing in faith
Sharing Spirit’s fruits
Filled with reverence
Journey’s faithful prep
Holding fast to serve
Walking in Christ’s steps
Humble in spirit
Unselfish intent
Assisting faith’s growth
Serving as Christ meant
Promise to follow
Grace flowing with love
Growing faithfulness
Serving Father above
From John 12:26: “Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, there will My servant be also. Whoever serves Me, the Father will honor.”
Pursuing
Faith’s righteousness
Light opens path
Steps honor Savior’s grace
Found
Building
Lasting relationships
Quiet reflection’s refreshment
Accepting Savior’s timeless grace
Strengthened
Tasting
Precious wisdom
Cultivating Savior’s grace
Sprinkled with tomorrow’s hope
Behold
It is only through Scripture, applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, that we receive the grace to trust God in everything.
From Hebrews 10:39: “But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost but among those who have faith and so preserve our souls.”
Acceptance is resting in God’s goodness, believing that He has all things under His control.
From Proverbs 16:9: “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.”
Big Sky Buckeye 