Lifting the shadow of gloom

june 14th, 2023

From The Bible

Isa. 25:1 (to 2nd ;), 1 2nd thy, 4 (to 4th ,), 9 (to 1st ;), 9 2nd and (to :), 9 2nd we

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; ... thy counsels of old arefaithfulness and truth. ...

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, ...

... ¶ And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; ... and he will save us: ... we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. 

Ps. 43:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. 

Ps. 139:7

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 

Ps. 143:8 2nd for

... for I lift up my soul unto thee. 

Ps. 40:1–3 (to :)

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: ...

John 2:1 there (to ;), 2, 3, 6, 7 (to 1st .), 8 (to 1st .), 9 (to 1st ,), 9 6th the, 10

... there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; ...

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. ...

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. ...

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. ...

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, ... the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 

John 8:12, 31–34, 36

¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ...

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ¶ They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. ...

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 

John 9:1–3, 6, 7, 15 (to 1st .), 30, 32–34 (to 1st ,), 34–37 dost, 39 For

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. ...

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. ...

Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. ...

The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. ...

Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, ... dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. ...

... For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 

John 10:24, 25, 27 (to 1st ,), 27 2nd and, 29–32, 37, 38

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. ...

My sheep hear my voice, ... and they follow me: ...

My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? ...

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. 

John 15:1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ...

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ...

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ...

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 

Luke 15:1, 3–5

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. ...

... ¶ And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 

Ezek. 34:12

As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 

Rom. 8:35, 37, 38 (to 6th ,), 39 3rd nor

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, ...

... nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Prov. 3:5, 6, 9, 10

¶ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ...

Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. 

 

SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES by MARY BAKER EDDY

SH 362:-8

Why art thou cast down, O my soul [sense]? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance and my God. — Psalms.

SH 513:7–10

To material sense, this divine universe is dim and distant, gray in the sombre hues of twilight; but anon the veil is lifted, and the scene shifts into light. 

SH 547:25–32

The true theory of the universe, including man, is not in material history but in spiritual development. Inspired thought relinquishes a material, sensual, and mortal theory of the universe, and adopts the spiritual and immortal. 

It is this spiritual perception of Scripture, which lifts humanity out of disease and death and inspires faith. 

SH 598:17 (only)

Wine. Inspiration; understanding. 

SH 35:27 2nd Our

Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers. 

SH 548:2

Christian Science separates error from truth, and breathes through the sacred pages the spiritual sense of life, substance, and intelligence. In this Science, we discover man in the image and likeness of God. We see that man has never lost his spiritual estate and his eternal harmony. 

SH 292:19–21, 27–31

Explaining the origin of material man and mortal mind, Jesus said: “Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. ...

This carnal material mentality, misnamed mind, is mortal. Therefore man would be annihilated, were it not for the spiritual real man's indissoluble connection with his God, which Jesus brought to light. 

SH 117:24

Evidence drawn from the five physical senses relates solely to human reason; and because of opacity to the true light, human reason dimly reflects and feebly transmits Jesus' works and words. Truth is a revelation. 

SH iii:1

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John viii. 32

SH 350:6

To understand all our Master's sayings as recorded in the New Testament, sayings infinitely important, his followers must grow into that stature of manhood in Christ Jesus which enables them to interpret his spiritual meaning. Then they know how Truth casts out error and heals the sick. His words were the offspring of his deeds, both of which must be understood. Unless the works are comprehended which his words explained, the words are blind. 

SH xi:9–16 (to 2nd ,)

The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation. Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural. They are the sign of Immanuel, or “God with us,” ...

SH 462:1

Some individuals assimilate truth more readily than others, but any student, who adheres to the divine rules of Christian Science and imbibes the spirit of Christ, can demonstrate Christian Science, cast out error, heal the sick, and add continually to his store of spiritual understanding, potency, enlightenment, and success. 

SH 622:21–23 (to ,), 24 (only, to The), 27–29, 30 however (only, to 1st ,), 30 erelong

About nine years ago I was drawn to Christian Science by a relative whose many afflictions had given place to health and harmony, ... The ...

My first reading of Science and Health was without understanding. I was full of darkness and gloom, and it was laid aside for a time. ... however, ... erelong the reading was resumed, and with such interest that my afflictions disappeared “like mist before the morning sun.” Asthma (thought to be hereditary), neuralgia in an aggravated form, and besides these, the tobacco and liquor habit of many years' standing left me. Bless the Lord, “He sent his word” and healed me, — for the reading of Science and Health brought to my consciousness the truth that makes free. — S., Shellman, Ga. 

SH 174:9–14

The footsteps of thought, rising above material standpoints, are slow, and portend a long night to the traveller; but the angels of His presence — the spiritual intuitions that tell us when “the night is far spent, the day is at hand” — are our guardians in the gloom. 

SH 256:1 (only), 2–5

Progress takes off human shackles. ... Advancing to a higher plane of action, thought rises from the material sense to the spiritual, from the scholastic to the inspirational, and from the mortal to the immortal. 

SH 233:1

Every day makes its demands upon us for higher proofs rather than professions of Christian power. These proofs consist solely in the destruction of sin, sickness, and death by the power of Spirit, as Jesus destroyed them. This is an element of progress, and progress is the law of God, whose law demands of us only what we can certainly fulfil. 

SH 21:1–3 (to ,), 4–5, 9 (only, to ,), 10

If Truth is overcoming error in your daily walk and conversation, you can finally say, “I have fought a good fight . . . I have kept the faith,” ... This is having our part in the at-one-ment with Truth and Love. ...

If the disciple is advancing spiritually, ... He constantly turns away from material sense, and looks towards the imperishable things of Spirit. If honest, he will be in earnest from the start, and gain a little each day in the right direction, till at last he finishes his course with joy. 

SH 255:1–6

ETERNAL Truth is changing the universe. As mortals drop off their mental swaddling-clothes, thought expands into expression. “Let there be light,” is the perpetual demand of Truth and Love, changing chaos into order and discord into the music of the spheres. 

SH 337:7–10

For true happiness, man must harmonize with his Principle, divine Love; the Son must be in accord with the Father, in conformity with Christ. 

SH 444:10

Step by step will those who trust Him find that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” 

SH 47:31–2; 48:19 The; 49:7–12

During his night of gloom and glory in the garden, Jesus realized the utter error of a belief in any possible material intelligence. The pangs of neglect and the staves of bigoted ignorance smote him sorely. ...

... The great demonstrator of Truth and Love was silent before envy and hate. Peter would have smitten the enemies of his Master, but Jesus forbade him, thus rebuking resentment or animal courage. He said: “Put up thy sword.” ...

Where were the seventy whom Jesus sent forth? Were all conspirators save eleven? Had they forgotten the great exponent of God? Had they so soon lost sight of his mighty works, his toils, privations, sacrifices, his divine patience, sublime courage, and unrequited affection? 

Christian science hymnals

Hymn. 513:4

Love looseth thee, and lifteth me, / Ayont hate's thrall: / There Life is light, and wisdom might, / And God is All. 

Words: Mary Baker Eddy

Music: Andrew D. Brewis

Hymn. 504

I want to know the truth that Jesus taught us, / To taste the liberty his promise brought us. / In Life we see that fear and death are not found. / We know as Mind is knowing: We are God-crowned! 

The master Christian gave us his pure teaching / And guided us in healing and in preaching. / Love's gospel casts out sin, and brings us healing, / Whereby we all are blessed by Truth's revealing. 

Forever, we have Truth, as Jesus stated, / The Soul that gives the joy we've all awaited, / And Principle to guide our pathway upward, / The light and harmony that moves us forward. 

Words: Leide Lessa; eng. tr. CSPS

Music: Jaci Maraschin

Hymn. 460

Come, O fount of every blessing, / Tune our hearts to sing Your grace. / Streams of mercy never ceasing, / Call for songs of deepest praise. / While the truth of life's perfection / Fills our hearts with joy and love, / Teach us ever to be faithful, / May we still Your goodness prove. 

Come, O fount of every vision, / Lift our eyes to what will come. / See the lion and the young lamb / Dwell together in Your home. / Hear the cries of war fall silent, / Feel our love glow like the sun. / When we all serve one another, / Then our heaven is begun. 

Come, O fount of inspiration, / Turn our lives to higher ways. / Lift our gloom and desperation, / Show the promise of this day. / Help us bind ourselves in union, / Help our hands tell of our love. / With Your grace, O fount of justice, / Earth be fair as heaven above. 

Words: verse 1 Robert Robinson, adapt., alt.; verses 2, 3 Eugene B. Navias, alt.

Music: American melody, Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, 1813