Uncharted Territories: fear, pain, anguish and glimmer of hope

What is an uncharted territory? Uncharted territory is a situation or circumstance that is foreign, unclear, or uncharted and which may be dangerous or difficult as a result. It could also mean a situation, where there seem to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Pain, anguish, and fear escalates to the point of hopelessness and we become restless. Hopelessness can deplete joy and energy out of a person and trusting God seem to be harder and the realities of the current situation continues to destroy hope. It could also make one wonder that life seems to be extremely hard, and there is no way of fixing it up, and so many may want to give up.

Throughout the Biblical history both in the Old and New Testaments, the giants of God faced uncharted territories. To name few of them from the Old Testament: Moses struggling with Egyptian Pharaoh and with the Nation of Israel, Joseph rejected by the brothers, the sun and moon stood still when Joshua was leading the people of God, Daniel in the lion’s den, Daniel’s friends in the fiery furnace, the Old Testament prophets facing major death sentences and criticism from National leaders.

In the New testament: the water was turned to wine, the dead was raised, Lazarus was raised up after he died for three days, calming the storm at the sea of Galilee when the disciples were tormented, Jesus appearing to the disciples when the doors were shut,  cleansing the leper, healing the sick, and raising up Jairus’ daughter are few examples.

The climax of the uncharted territory was faced by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born of a virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, buried and rose again on the third day. Matthew 26: 36-45 talks about the Garden of Gethsemane experience of Jesus. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” Matt. 26:38-39. “He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done” Matt. 26: 42.

Indeed, the finale was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the ultimate hope we all have because of the second Adam Jesus Christ who gave His life for us. This is our ultimate hope despite our pain and anguish, and Jesus Christ is alive today. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father interceding for His beloved adopted heirs, and for the perishing world. Because God has given us the Holy Spirit, we can live for Him, and fight the battles against the enemy without despair.

The question remains on how we trust God in our current uncertainties? In our uncharted territories we can Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and leaning not on your own understanding; in all our ways we can acknowledge Him, and He is able to make our paths straight. Dearly beloved and readers of my blog would you please join with me in prayer?  

Giver of life, thou didst raise Lazarus from death, raise up our souls from the death and darkness of sin. Thou didst gave to the Apostles, power over unclean spirits, give us power over our own heart which is beyond deceitful according to Your Word. Thou didst appear to the disciples when the doors were shut, please appear to us at the secret apartment of our heart. Thou didst cleanse the leper, heal the sick and gave sight to the blind, heal our hearts, heal the disorders of our soul, and continue to strengthen us by Your convicting, confronting, comforting power of the Holy Spirit. May our hearts be knitted together in love of the Father and of Christ, attaining to the riches of the knowledge of the mystery of God, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  

Thou hast known each one of us intimately according to Your Word written in Psalm 139. We express our known and unknown thoughts of fear, pain, anguish, worry, anxiety and panic in our uncharted territories to You. Jesus our healer, the Brazen Serpent, which was lifted up in the desert, we acknowledge that Only Thou can heal us and calm us. We acknowledge that, Thou art high above all thrones, and principalities, make intercession for the whole world so that none should perish, the judge of the dead and the living, and we anticipate Your coming quickly in Your Father’s glory. We acknowledge that we are mortal and Thou art immortal and we ascribe glory and honor to Your Name. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit we pray; Amen.