Echoes From the Campfire

A glorious Colorado sunset had just reached the wonderful height of its color and transformation.  The sage slopes below seemed rosy velvet; the golden aspens on the farther reaches were on fire at the tips; the foothills rolled clear and mellow and rich in the light; the gulf of distance on to the great black range was veiled in mountain purple; and the dim peaks beyond the range stood up, sunset-flushed and grand.  The narrow belt of blue sky between crags and clouds was like a river full of fleecy sails and wisps of silver.  Above towered a pall of dark cloud, full of the shades of approaching night.”
              –Zane Grey  (The Mysterious Rider)

    “Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.”
              –Isaiah 11:9 (NLT)
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Just like in the sea, storms can come up fast in the high country.  Those high voltage, electric storms are something to behold at timberline.  They can sure make a person take notice.  Whenever He was in a storm, Jesus seemed calm, and, in fact, at times went to sleep.  However, His disciples had not come to the point where they understood trust and having a calm, quiet spirit despite what was going on around them.

              “Joys are flowing like a river
               Since the Comforter has come.
               He abides with us forever,
               Makes the trusting heart His home.

               Bringing life and health and gladness
               All around this heav’nly Guest
               Banished unbelief and sadness,
               Changed our weariness to rest.”
                        –Manie Payne Ferguson

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could put all fears and anxieties aside?  There are several places in Scripture that admonish us to do so.  Just when we think we’ve made some strides in that direction, something comes along to start us fretting again.  Oh, that we could grasp the full meaning of those verses, such as Hebrews 13:6, “So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” (AMPC)  Really, in the light of eternity, what can happen to us?

              “Like the rain that falls from heaven,
               Like the sunlight from the sky,
               So the Holy Ghost is given,
               Coming on us from on high.

               See, a fruitful field is growing,
               Blessed fruit of righteousness;
               And the streams of life are flowing
               In the lonely wilderness.”

No matter where you are.  No matter the trial or obstacle.  No matter the type of wilderness you may be traveling through, the Holy Spirit is there.  He will guide, comfort, exhort, and give direction in the time of need.  We get caught up in the situation and often forget the purpose of the Holy Spirit in our life.

              “What a wonderful salvation,
               Where we always see His face!
               What a perfect habitation,
               What a quiet resting place!

                        Bless quietness, holy quietness,
                        What assurance in my soul!
                        On the stormy sea He speaks peace to me,
                        How the billows cease to roll!”

When we trust in the Lord there is a blessed quietness.  A calm deep in the soul that cannot be explained to an unbeliever.  This earth may have its trouble and be filled with evil, but the heart can rest in the Lord.  But one day, yes one day, there will be a new heavens and new earth and there will be perfect peace; “what a quiet resting place!