Read Psalm 46

He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.

—Psalm 18:19

There is a clearing in the distance. A book I read by that title made a lasting impression on me. It’s the biography of Frederick L. Olmsted, the extraordinary landscape architect of the 19th century. He designed Central Park… He always designed his landscapes by allowing nature to wind and twist in shady canopies and curving roads so you could never see what was coming. Then suddenly, in his landscape, you would come to a wide open space. It was beautiful, lovely, comforting and serene.

David was fleeing from King Saul, who was trying to kill him. But after God delivered David, he sang this song: He brought me to a clearing in the distance, into a broad place.

Sometimes, our path is winding, the curve is in the blind. We can’t see what’s ahead. Everything seems to be storm clouds and darkness. Then, suddenly, we emerge into a clearing. We can smell the jasmine along the path, hear the song of the ….yellow warbler, we taste the water from the mountain spring. And we can take a deep breath again. Is there anything better?

Thought for the Day

There’s a clearing in the distance. Keep walking by faith.

Prayer

Creator God, help me to keep on keeping on, knowing that You have a clearing in the distance, just around the bend. Thank you for that hope. In Jesus’ name.