Alone, in the dark?

Our church is a huge building with a high ceiling, 40 feet at the peak. It’s a wooden structure, beautiful during the day when the light plays through the trusses but spooky at night when the lights are turned off. After spending hundreds, perhaps thousands of hours in that room, I know every corner in it, yet... walking through the building in the dark of night still makes my heart pound! The rafters creak, the wind moans around the sharp corners of the roof, shadows dance on the walls and - in the dark - I simply cannot help feeling at least a little bit of fear. In the bright light of morning, the same set of circumstances, in that very same sanctuary, I feel no fear whatever. Just for the record, I'm not a alone in this reaction. Many people report experiencing that same kind of fear in big, dark buildings!

Are you walking in the dark today?
Is the Light of life dimmed by situations that leave you feeling afraid? Perhaps this is the plan of God for you right now.

Jesus' disciples listened as He talked about going to Jerusalem to die. Peter objected that such awful things could not be God’s will. Jesus did not agree. He severely reprimanded his buddy: "Get behind me, Satan!" During the week prior to His death, Jesus told the disciples terrible things about the future of Jerusalem: "the Temple will be destroyed, terrible times will come when the residents of this city will run for their lives." Becoming much more personal, He warned His friends about their own failure of faith when He was betrayed and taken to die! Peter boldly barked: "Maybe those other guys, but NOT me!" Jesus told him that he would fail spectacularly, even openly denying Him- which he did! Judas deserted his brothers, joining with their enemies. Jesus was taken into custody for an illegal midnight trial of sorts. The disciples deserted Him scattering into the night in terror. That week ended with His crucifixion. John tells us that the disciples hid behind locked doors, deeply shaken and fearful. And you think you've had a bad week?

Sometimes God's people have to walk through dark times! The Psalmist reminds us, however, that (23:4 NLT) "Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid..." Why? "...for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."

God’s promise is true. Even when we cannot see Him - He is with us. When we are walking through the dark rooms of death, disappointment, or even demonic attack He is with us. Why doesn’t He take us out of such situations? I don’t know! That’s the faith part of the equation. Peter urges us to stay steady, even when we're in the dark. "Don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world." 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT

Are you in the dark today? I love a story that I find in the 16th chapter of Acts. After doing much good in the city of Philippi, God’s men, Paul and Silas, were accused of disturbing the peace, beaten by the authorities, and chained to a wall in a filthy jail! Sounds like a good time to complain, doesn’t it? “What’s up with this, Lord? Here we are trying to do what you want us to do. And, then you let us end up here in the dark, hurting and bleeding.” That’s not what they did. The Bible says, "Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears." (Acts 16:25, The Message) You know the rest of the story… an earthquake shook open the doors; the jailer’s heart was opened by the sincere faith he saw in these two evangelists; and the light broke through!

So, if you’re in the dark, find a song to sing. Make it one that takes hold of the faithfulness of God. Sing like Paul and Silas sang at midnight! (Acts 16) And wait for the deliverance of the Lord to restore the Light to your life.
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Great is Thy faithfulness,
O God my Father,
There is no shadow
Of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not,
Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be.

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence
To cheer and to guide;
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine,
With ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning
New mercies I see;
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord, unto me.

Great is Thy Faithfulness© 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company
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