Here Be Good News
Well, I meant to write BE not IS in the title. You'll see why soon. I read this story in The One Year Book of Psalms by William and Randy Petersen, published by Tyndale. And while I always find something to inspire, challenge or lament with the Psalmists and the Petersens commentary, this one keeps a holy hold on me.
For starters, who doesn't relate to Psalm 139! And Psalm 139:7-12 was the reading for November 16th. So here's the story the authors pulled from history to grab my attention. About "eight years after Columbus discovered America, an English sea captain showed a map to King Henry VII. The map revealed all the unexplored territories of the world. Over some of these territories were the words 'Here be dragons,' Here be demons,' etc."
And that set my imagination on fire. Imagine the courage to sail off to places marked by dragons and demons? To be sure, as 2024 winds down and we stand on the cusp of a New Year, some of us may be feeling like the unknown is frought with demons and dragons. The news sometimes seems to focus on all that's wrong and little that's going well.
But here's where Psalm 139 interrupts the bad news about demons and dragons with good news. The Petersens write that "if King David, author of Psalm 139, drew up such a map, over the unexplored territories on his map would be the words, 'Here be God.'"
See what I mean about good news? Remember in this Psalm David sings, 'If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there."(v.8) And there's no place where we are unseen by God. "Even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day..."(v.12)
In other words, pick a place and write across the map of your life, "HERE BE GOD." It's the season of Advent, to which we are reminded of God's coming, showing up in a most unkingly way, in a most unusual place, a barn in Bethlehem. Buechner described this holy bundle as "about the size of a loaf of bread." How fitting. The Bread of Life come down from heaven."(John 6:22-45-60)
So I ask myself and you, "What has us cowering before some demon or dragon spewing fear and dread? Choose a concern: health, finances, relationships or politics? Or how about something dreaded in the future, loneliness, change of location or work? But perhaps, it's an addiction, sense of loss of purpose or feeling overwhelmed by trying to manage life on your own? Or how about the weight of unforgiveness? There are many demons and dragons out there. And some of the worst battle within us.
But whenever one of them surfaces and tries to get an unholy grip on me, I say or mentally remind myself that I do not face this alone. So I write across the map of my life, Here be God!" We are not alone in these battles. Psalm 139:17-18 reminds us, "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! ...And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me!"
God be here, we pray and sing these words from Away in a Manger, "Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me I pray."
But the truth is HERE be God!
And the reason God came, comes and stays with us?
Love.
See why I say those three words, Here be God, has a holy hold on me?
How about you?
17 Comments
Thanks Jan,
I needed to hear this today! HERE BE GOD is my new slogan for 2025 - keepin' the faith!
Love,
Niffy
Good for you, dear Niffy! They are three powerful words to help us "faith" each new day and the coming year. The words we say to others and to ourselves, matter so much. HERE be GOD, in North Carolina and in Massachusetts. And especially IN US.
So good dear Jan! I too will write across the map of my life, and my children's and grandchildren's - HERE BE GOD! Psalm 139 is one of my very favorites. As a new Christian in high school, I went on a retreat in the fall to Cape Cod. The leader had us find a quiet place on the beach and read and think about Ps 139:17-18 As I read "How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them they would OUTNUMBER THE GRAINS OF SAND, when I awake I am still with you." I let a handful of sand run through my fingers and thought about those number of grains of sand, then I looked all around at the vast beach, and the even grander ocean with sand below - and I was brought to tears. God's thoughts for me outnumbered all the grains of sand. I just couldn't even begin to wrap my mind around that, but it has brought me so much comfort over the years. He is near us, and thinking always of us. So thankful! <3
What a powerful illustration, dear Wendy, of HERE BE GOD to a teenager on a beach on Cape Cod. I suspect next to Psalm 23, many would claim Psalm 139 as a favorite. Thanks for adding to the blog with your story.
Hi Jan,
You spoke at our little church, Greenwood Community Church in Warwick, RI years ago. I purchased you cassette tape (I guess that dates the event) and listened to it often! I so appreciate your God-centered approach to all things. I shared your response to the election with many and have also shared this post. Thank you for bearing witness to God and His unfathomable love for us! Merry almost Christmas!
Thank you, dear Lisa, for sharing this memory. I am so grateful I had the privilege of speaking in so many churches throughout New England. It was such a significant way to meet God's extended family and mine. Yes, cassette's do date me but so happy they still add to your life. I keep hanging on to my old car since I learned new ones no longer come with tape or CD players built into the dashboard. My grandkids will have to help me with whatever comes next! Thanks for reading and writing a response. Merry Christmas to you, dear Lisa, as well.
Here be God, still! “I am with you always, even unto the end….”
Merry Christmas, Jan, from one grateful for all your constant reminders of encouragement.
And Merry Christmas, to you dear Radina, and your precious family in Oregon. HERE BE GOD, three powerful words to energize us for today and the year ahead.
We be at the godly Gordon Gala this weekend. Hope to see you there!
WooHoo! Yes I plan to be there and hope to see you and Elizabeth, as well. For sure, HERE BE GOD, at Gordon's Gala Christmas concert. Hope you're going on Saturday, dear David.
Jan,
Years ago (2009?), you invited myself (Melissa maiden- Overmyer) and Heather into your Gordon home to study Ruth. In that time, you shared of a season of moving, when Mr. Carlberg looked over your shoulder and said "not everything is as it seems". 16 years later and that was such a vivid picture that stuck with me. It's absorbed in my mind a little differently as a 36 year old with a *dynamic* 2024. Here I am, studying Ruth again and reflecting, that without a doubt, HERE BE GOD.
Thank you for your time with me all those years ago, your faithful encouragement, and your glorious words that invited me to see an aspect of life and faithfulness that God was preparing me for all those years ago.
Dr. Carlberg! :) your mister!
Wow! Thank you for this look back to a time I'd forgotten, dear Melissa. I love the book of Ruth. It is full of HERE BE GOD as Naomi and Ruth made a faith journey form Moab to Bethleham. And then all heaven began to break loose in a barley field. For sure, GOD BE HERE, THERE and EVERYWHERE!! And may you be blessed with a deep sense of the presence of God during this Advent season and in the New Year. Thank you so much for connecting. You gave me a great gift.
Amen! A hope-filled slogan to hold on to!
That's for sure, dear Tara. Thanks for using some of the time of your life to read and respond to this blog post. We need to keep cheering each other on and helping each other make it HOME. And I'm grateful HERE BE GOD encouraged you!