THE WOMB OF THE DAWN

                                          By Ada Brownell

When I get up early in the morning and draw back the blinds in our family room, I love seeing the sun pour in warmth and light. I often stand there looking out in the back yard, thanking the Lord for the day He has made.

But I never actually greeted the day with intense expectancy until I noticed Psalm 110:3 which mentions “the womb of the dawn” in the NIV, and “the womb of the morning” in the King James.

God. The womb of the dawn holds promise to help us conquer our enemies each day.  If I have personal enemies in the traditional sense, I guess I don’t know it. Yet, there are little enemies that steal my time, steal my attention, wound my desire to do God’s will, and things like that.

A womb is where new life lives. Every day dawns with new challenges, new adventures and an allotment of time. Why hadn’t I noticed each new morning is pregnant with opportunity? Am I going to allow these things to be stillborn? Or am I going to nourish them with prayer, study and diligence?

I get up before my husband most days and start with scripture and prayer. It’s a fine time to be alone with God. Sometimes the Lord gives me writing ideas, or sends me to my desk scribbling a passage to give something else I’m working on more clarity. Perhaps I’ll think of someone I need to contact—often for encouragement.

 The time on my knees is when the seeds often are planted that grow into something for the Kingdom. But then, just as with farming, often that means hard work.

The womb of the morning delivers all day—people that need a smile, even husbands and children that need attention. Somehow God gives strength for them all. The scripture that speaks of the “womb of the dawn” goes on to say, “You will receive the dew of your youth.”

Now I realize not everyone who reads this will be as old as I am. But think. Even if you’re in your 20s, do you have the energy of a four- or five-year-old who can run and run, burning energy from the time they get up until they drop for a brief nap and start all over again? I never walked anywhere when I was a kid. I ran everywhere.

            I still enjoy exercise, but by the time I get through with my walk, I’m ready to sit in a recliner. But I’m taking God’s encouragement and look expectantly to the dawn of every morning, using the strength He gives.

©Ada Brownell 2013

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COMMENTS FROM REVIEWERS OF SWALLOWED BY LIFE

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A LOVE MESSAGE

The following is an excerpt from Ada Brownell's book, Swallowed by Life.

Link: http://buff.ly/TLkr0a

 One time as we were traveling, I was in the back seat resting with my eyes closed and began thinking about how Carolyn’s young life was cut short.

          Previously when grief hit me, I’d often catch my breath and begin whispering the name of Jesus. This day, however, tears oozed through my eyelids.

          “Lord, heaven is so silent!” I complained.

          I had prayed for months, grasping onto God in faith, continually staying in the Word and prayer. Most of the time, peace filled me. That day, a poisonous bitterness erupted instead as I complained about feeling forsaken.

          Then, I felt rebuke.

          It wasn’t an audible voice, but in my spirit I could hear Jesus tell me, “I made a statement about my love for you two thousand years ago on the cross that still echoes around the world. That is enough.”

          Just as quickly as I felt anger, which is one of the stages of grief, I felt overwhelmed with God’s love for me. Yes! The cross was enough. It not only was enough to show God’s love for me and my daughter, but it also gave anyone who will accept His love hope because death will be swallowed by life for all eternity.

          No wonder people can face death with peace. No wonder there is joy, even when we know life on earth is temporary. No wonder sin holds no attraction for many! No wonder people rejoice that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6–8).

          Many people have an erroneous view of God.

          One time my coworkers were in a discussion in which I didn’t participate because I was busy at my desk. Then one of those entrenched in the debate paused long enough to ask me, “Isn’t that right, Ada? God carries a big stick.”

          “I don’t know how you can say that and look at the cross,” I responded.

          If you want to know about God, read the Bible for yourself. Beginning with Genesis and ending with Revelation, it is a story about redemption—for you. Redemption from sins, which means when you repent they’re wiped out—erased from the record (Micah 7:17-19). Redemption from Satan, who would like to have you (Luke 22:31). Redemption from the eternal death sentence on your head (John 5:23-25).

          “For it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment. So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear the second time, without sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27).

 To get an idea of salvation in a nutshell, start with John’s Gospel.

          Hearing the Word, reading the Word, and keeping a prayer on our lips is how we get to know God better. We can talk to God when we’re angry with Him or people around us. We can talk to God when all we can think of is, “Why?”

          When grief hits us like a huge wave of the sea, we can get up and purpose to know God better. Through our trials, we learn God is faithful. In our struggling and in our weakness, suddenly we understand we can ride grief’s thunderous waters instead of letting them knock us off our feet.

          We find that God’s grace and love come like waves, too, lifting us up with joy as we learn that He created us for eternal life in the beginning, and the miracle still happens. Death is swallowed by life.

©Copyright Ada Brownell October 2011