A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Tuesday, April
30, 2019
The Isaac
Lightner Farmhouse, like so many, was a field hospital
during and after the battle of Gettysburg. It is now a
Bed and Breakfast Inn.
Note:
Due to a trip out of
town Sunday and being
away through Monday
evening we did not
prepare a Daily
Encouragement
message on Monday.
"For
now we see through
a glass, darkly;
but then face to
face: now I know
in part; but then
shall I know even
as also I am
known" (1
Corinthians
13:12).
Sunday afternoon we visited Gettysburg, PA, the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place July 1-3, 1863. Gettysburg is only about 40 miles west of us and we periodically visit the famous battlefield from the Civil War. For several generations following the battle it was treated as a very sacred place but as generations are further removed it has developed a recreational vibe, especially since it's in such a beautiful area of our country. However the national battlefield still has over one million annual visitors. For the last several years there's been a more recent moral battle going on; whether or not to erect a casino there. *
I once
was lost but now
am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
Was blind, but now I see.
Sunday afternoon we visited Gettysburg, PA, the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place July 1-3, 1863. Gettysburg is only about 40 miles west of us and we periodically visit the famous battlefield from the Civil War. For several generations following the battle it was treated as a very sacred place but as generations are further removed it has developed a recreational vibe, especially since it's in such a beautiful area of our country. However the national battlefield still has over one million annual visitors. For the last several years there's been a more recent moral battle going on; whether or not to erect a casino there. *
As we
walked through
Gettysburg National
Cemetery, the site
where Abraham
Lincoln gave the
Gettysburg address,
we observed the
seeming unending
gravesites, many
marked only by a
number. But we
especially took note
of one that included
a simple expression
of faith on the
tombstone of a
chaplain who served
in the war: "Now we
see through a glass
darkly… but we see!"
"For now we see through a glass, darkly" The first part of the phrase is based upon the daily text of Scripture. The apostle Paul is candidly writing of the partial sight and knowledge we have on this side. As we walk in faith we may indeed describe our human experience as that of seeing darkly and knowing only in part. Other versions translate the first phrase, "For now we see in a mirror dimly" (ESV); "For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma]" (Amplified).
The chaplain did not die in the war but saw the battle horrors first hand. He died about forty years afterwards. He surely carried those vivid battle scenes to his deathbed. Can you imagine the PTSD so many had that lived through that horrific experience. However his faith outlook is expressed in the simple epitath, "Now we see through a glass darkly...but we see!"
We
all have matters in
life that could be
described as "seeing
through a glass
darkly". In these
gloomy experiences
we can choose to
despair or place our
faith in God,
readily admitting
that we see through
a glass darkly.
That's why we walk
by faith and not by
sight. Our faith is
founded solidly upon
the unchanging, ever
dependable Word of
God that is our
roadmap or for an
illustration more
contemporary, our
GPS, when the road
ahead is dark and
foggy. Regardless of
our less than clear
view of what lies
ahead we should
always see and view
the Word of God as
our GPS!
"For now we see through a glass, darkly" The first part of the phrase is based upon the daily text of Scripture. The apostle Paul is candidly writing of the partial sight and knowledge we have on this side. As we walk in faith we may indeed describe our human experience as that of seeing darkly and knowing only in part. Other versions translate the first phrase, "For now we see in a mirror dimly" (ESV); "For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma]" (Amplified).
The chaplain did not die in the war but saw the battle horrors first hand. He died about forty years afterwards. He surely carried those vivid battle scenes to his deathbed. Can you imagine the PTSD so many had that lived through that horrific experience. However his faith outlook is expressed in the simple epitath, "Now we see through a glass darkly...but we see!"
We
all have matters in
life that could be
described as "seeing
through a glass
darkly". In these
gloomy experiences
we can choose to
despair or place our
faith in God,
readily admitting
that we see through
a glass darkly.
That's why we walk
by faith and not by
sight. Our faith is
founded solidly upon
the unchanging, ever
dependable Word of
God that is our
roadmap or for an
illustration more
contemporary, our
GPS, when the road
ahead is dark and
foggy. Regardless of
our less than clear
view of what lies
ahead we should
always see and view
the Word of God as
our GPS!"Now I
know in part".
That's so true. We
know only a part,
actually a very very
small part. But we
know! A great study
I have considered
for a future message
series is the
phrase, "I know" or
"we know" in
Scripture such as Romans
8:28 or 2
Timothy 1:12.
This
especially describes
the state of our
present knowledge of
divine things which
is imperfect and
incomplete. But the
time will come when
our vision will be
unimpaired, the veil
will be lifted and
the obscure made
crystal clear. I
will see then "face
to face" and I
will know "even
as also I am
known".
C.H.
Spurgeon makes an
interesting
assertion that we
couldn't handle any
greater knowledge on
this side of
eternity.
"If we
knew more of our
own sinfulness, we
might be driven to
despair; if we
knew more of God's
glory, we might
die of terror; if
we had more
understanding,
unless we had
equivalent
capacity to employ
it, we might be
filled with
conceit and
tormented with
ambition. But up
there we shall
have our minds and
our systems
strengthened to
receive more,
without the damage
that would come to
us here from
overleaping the
boundaries of
order, supremely
appointed and
divinely
regulated."
But today let's conclude with the last phrase on the chaplain's tombstone; "But we see!" What a powerful perspective! There's so much we don't see and there's so much we don't understand; some things make no sense to us at all. Indeed the tunnel may be narrow, dark, long, and filled with tripping hazards as we navigate our way through. Yet with the help of the Holy Spirit we too can declare "But I see!"
When
darkness seems to
hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
Be
encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, Your
Word
admonishes us
to "Contend
for the faith
that was once
for all
entrusted to
the saints."
There are many
obstacles that
will lead us
astray as we
contend for
the faith if
our eyes
become fixed
on the
obstacles.
Instead we
want to fix
our eyes on
Jesus, the
Author and
Perfecter of
our faith, who
set His eyes
on the throne
of God,
enabling Him
to endure the
cross, its
shame and
agony. Fix our
eyes on the
goal of heaven
where all will
finally be
made perfectly
clear when we
see Jesus face
to face. In
the meantime
sustain us by
Your mercy,
grow our
faith, and
help us to
take as many
as possible
with us to our
eternal home
in heaven. In
the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Yesterday
we had lunch
with our
longtime
friends, Bill
and Pat
Preston, who
live near
Chambersburg,
PA. We first
met them
around ten
years ago when
they lived
near Ocean
City, New
Jersey and
were
introduced to
us by our
mutual
friends, Jim
and Dorothy
Schmidt. Bill
was a high
school and
college track
and field
coach for over
50 years and
next week he
is providing
some input on
a series about
running the
race. Pat was
very active in
Christian
Women's Clubs
for many years
and still
holds weekly
Bible studies
in their home.
They both have
a great zeal
for the things
of the Lord.
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, Your
Word
admonishes us
to "Contend
for the faith
that was once
for all
entrusted to
the saints."
There are many
obstacles that
will lead us
astray as we
contend for
the faith if
our eyes
become fixed
on the
obstacles.
Instead we
want to fix
our eyes on
Jesus, the
Author and
Perfecter of
our faith, who
set His eyes
on the throne
of God,
enabling Him
to endure the
cross, its
shame and
agony. Fix our
eyes on the
goal of heaven
where all will
finally be
made perfectly
clear when we
see Jesus face
to face. In
the meantime
sustain us by
Your mercy,
grow our
faith, and
help us to
take as many
as possible
with us to our
eternal home
in heaven. In
the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.Jude
3, Hebrews
12:2
Cannons
in Gettysburg
National
Cemetery
President
Lincoln
removed his
hat and
invited
visitors to
come sit
beside him on
the bench so
Brooksyne took
him up on it
(that's the
way it looked,
anyway).
Here
Stephen looks
down at the
Gettysburg
Address as
written on the
paper held by
the man in the
knitted cable
sweater and
corduroy
slacks. Of
course we all
recognize Abe
Lincoln even
from a great
distance.
You
can easily see
how this barn,
outhouse and
house reflect
the Civil War
Era.
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
Yesterday
we had lunch
with our
longtime
friends, Bill
and Pat
Preston, who
live near
Chambersburg,
PA. We first
met them
around ten
years ago when
they lived
near Ocean
City, New
Jersey and
were
introduced to
us by our
mutual
friends, Jim
and Dorothy
Schmidt. Bill
was a high
school and
college track
and field
coach for over
50 years and
next week he
is providing
some input on
a series about
running the
race. Pat was
very active in
Christian
Women's Clubs
for many years
and still
holds weekly
Bible studies
in their home.
They both have
a great zeal
for the things
of the Lord.Patty
invited me,
Brooksyne,
into her Card
Room upstairs.
I wasn't sure
of what she
meant, but I
was terribly
impressed when
I entered the
room. She
showed me
several
samples of
cards she made
and I was
inspired by
the many
expressions of
faith and
encouragement
in every
direction I
looked. For
those of our
readers who
enjoy making
handmade
cards, you
would have
enjoyed
browsing
through
Patty's Card
Room. Bill
built the
shelves on the
wall to hold
her supplies!
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
"The
Solid Rock/Cornerstone"
Video
Calvary Church Choir and
Orchestra
"He Hideth My
Soul" Video
Westminster Trio This
is from our local
Westminster Presbyterian
Church. Mark Espenshade, the man on the
left, who solos at the
beginning, is a project
manager I see weekly at JK
Mechanical.
"Trust His Heart" Video
"God Is In Control" Video Kristian and Shannon Walker
"The Greatest Thing" Video Shannon Wexelberg
"All Your Promises Are True" Video Shannon Wexelberg & Bethesda Community Church Choir
Gettysburg National Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
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Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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