Richard found himself shivering inside the mouth of a dark cave in order to stay out of the downpour.  He shuddered to think what else he shared the cave with, but decided it was better to be in the cave than outside getting wet.  He accessed his situation.  He had wanted to reach the top of the mountain before dark, but the rain had created a muddy, slippery path.  He winced thinking about the fall that nearly sent him over the edge, he had managed to pull himself back up, but had dropped his backpack down the deep ravine to lighten his weight enough to save himself from the same fate as his backpack.

He heard a voice behind him and turned to see where it came from, but it was too dark to see more than a foot inside the cave; “Rise up and walk in My power.  Lift up My name, wear it as a shield around you.  Some days the path you walk will be paved with gold, your days filled with sunshine and blue skies.  Other days will be so dark you can’t see anything.  Listen to My voice and let your heart follow me through the darkness.  When you reach the light you will see where I was in the dark.  Soak up the strength of the light of My presence.  Learn to recognize My voice in the clear light of day and you will be able to follow it in the dark even if it just a whisper in the roaring wind that surrounds you, seeking to destroy you.  Your part is to listen, hear and walk towards My voice. I will always be there, My love, guiding you daily through what seems to be endless nights into endless sunshine.

I will rain down My Spirit on you so that you may walk in My power.  Now is the time to put away the umbrella, walk out of the shelter you stand in and get soaked in the life changing power of the Spirit.  The power of My Spirit will propel you forward.  The flashes of lightning are truth on the darkness.  Sometimes the rain of the Holy Spirit is gentle and refreshing other times the downpour is meant to cleanse your soul of the impurities that can’t remain.  The apparent harshness of the storm will encourage you to hold onto Me.  Open the door of your heart and let the gentleness of the Spirit in.  When My Spirit is in you it doesn’t matter what your surroundings are.  True happiness and joy are yours.”

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Philippians 4:12

If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.  Proverbs 1:23