Writings by Barri Cae Mallin

Meep'nay

Thursday 26 August 2004 - 13:42:42

A few weeks ago, while reading Psalms in Hebrew, i came across a word - Meep'nay. When i find a new word in Hebrew, it is a challenge to see if i can find the true meaning of it.

Hebrew is a great language for us on the go. A few dots and some quick squiggly lines, and you have a word. Mis-place one dot and you totally change the meaning of the word.

Hebrew uses some base words as roots, and builds meaning around it. By using perhaps only 6 or 7 letters, one can make a sentence. Great for us 'Type A's'.

But this word's meaning eluded me. I found Leef'nay, which means "near" in English; i found "nephesh", which means soul. But i could not find Meep'nay.

All week long, meep'nay stayed with me. And my week got busier and
crazier, demands on my time increased. My temper fumed. I needed rest. The time that i like to take to really sit down and study the Bible disappeared, too. I kept searching the Hebrew dictionary - where is that word Meep'nay?? it has to be here somewhere!

Finally, on Sunday night, i came across a root word - Panim - or
paneh - which means face, presence, countenance, showbread, favor of.

And then it hit me.

All week long, I had been searching for God's presence, thinking a
short 15 minutes here, or this devotional there, was gonna get me back to that place where He fills me up. And the harder i looked, the more elusive THAT PLACE became.

But when i got still, i realized that THAT PLACE had been there all
along. His presence never eluded me; sometimes it is hidden in my unimportant activities and needs. His countenance may be disguised; but it is always there. Meep'nay - face, countenance, presence - the root word is Panim -P'nim-P'nay. But "paneh" was disguised and i could not find it. And when i wasn't looking for it, it jumped right out at me.

Sometimes it seems as though God doesn't care, that He has moved away. A darkness comes over me; where is God? Does He not hear? Why does He not move His hand?

Often, i will look at worldly things to satisfy, but they yield me a
negative. But when i look at God's love, that negative becomes a PLUS.

When i seek power or position and come up short, i feel like a
negative.
But when i look at God's grace, that negative becomes a PLUS.

When i think that others have it better than i, i feel like a negative.
But when i look at God's mercies, that negative becomes a PLUS.

Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, not removed His
steadfast love from me. (Psalm 66:20)

Wait for the LORD;
Be strong, and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD. (Ps. 27:14)

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corin. 5:7

Copyright © Barri Cae Mallin.