In the movie Saving Mr. Banks, writer Pamela Lyndon (P. L.) Travers reluctantly agrees to allow Walt Disney to bring her beloved character Mary Poppins to the silver screen. Carrying deep emotional wounds, P. L. is controlling and cantankerous—causing the film adaptation of Mary Poppins to be a difficult proposition for all those involved in the production. Unlike her literary character who could magically take flight, Travers—trapped within a cloud of bitter thoughts and memories—almost prevents the movie version of Mary Poppins from getting off the ground.
Nahum and the people of Judah struggled under a dark cloud—the deadly threat of the Assyrians (who had destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel). This led to desperate thoughts and a bitter existence. But Nahum received a word from God—an encouraging word. Good news was “coming over the mountains” to lift them up and out of their valley of despair (Nahum 1:15). God promised to one day destroy the evil empire at their doorstep. But not only would He destroy the Assyrians, He would also preserve His people—making for peace and celebration (Nahum 1:12,15).
This good news surely must have lifted the peoples’ spirits and filled their hearts with hope. Nahum, inspired by God, declared, “The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).
P. L. Travers, moved by some lyrics composed for the movie Mary Poppins, found relief from her dark thoughts as she sang “Let’s go fly a kite . . .” in a scene from Saving Mr. Banks. Are you feeling trapped beneath a dark cloud caused by bitter life circumstances? Allow God’s encouraging words to lift your heart today!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Romans 8:1-18
More:
Read Jeremiah’s words in Lamentations 3:19-26 and see how he found light and hope even in the midst of some dark days.
Next:
What bitter memories and painful circumstances are darkening your world today? What will you do to bring those things to God and claim the encouraging truths found in His Word?
BearPair on November 21, 2014 at 2:02 am
Exellent–thanks Tom!
Gary Shultz on November 21, 2014 at 6:19 am
Hope is the deal, is it not? There many things we must consider in our relationship to our Lord, but hope is one of the greatest focal points He has gifted us with. I’m glad God has given us the gift of promise, encouragement and hope. Thanks
Winn Collier on November 29, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Hope is the deal, Gary. Absolutely.
Gene on November 21, 2014 at 7:15 am
What a great God we have whose love for us never ends! Hope is the deal, Gary. With great faith and boldness, both Jeremiah and Nahum proclaimed these truths in the midst of some very tough times. Knowing how God preserved the remnant as part of the plan for redemption through His son, how can we doubt his faithfulness to work through the painful struggles in our own lives? Thanks, Tom, for writing about the hope we can claim today.
Winn Collier on November 29, 2014 at 4:30 pm
The dark clouds seem heavy for a lot of folks these days, some days for me as well. Thank you.