No Night Lights
Opening Prayer
Lord God, I come to You today grateful that You are God and Your power is greater than any other.
Read ISAIAH 50:4-11
[4] The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. [5] The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. [6] I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. [7] Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. [8] He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! [9] It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. [10] Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. [11] But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Where does this writer clearly put his trust?We will all go through dark times in life: illness, bereavement, depression, rejection, loneliness, and times when we don’t understand why such things happen to us. All we know is, we’re in the dark, and nothing is clear.
Human nature wants to try to sort things out; and others may encourage us to move on, get closure, do something to make it seem as though it isn’t dark (11). We like to feel that we’re coping, staying positive. We develop fire-lighting strategies so the darkness apparently disappears. But Isaiah is clear that the right thing is not to avoid the darkness, but to stay walking in it, and trust in the Lord (10). Someone described the feeling of going through difficult times as hanging on by his fingertips, but during that time of weakness, the strength of the Lord became a reality previously unknown to him.
Darkness can be frightening, confusing, overwhelming. Jesus went through ultimate darkness and rose victorious over its power. We can always rely on him when life is dark, and he will sustain us with his Word and his love. Dark times can’t be avoided. What we do in them is what counts.
Apply
If you are going through a “dark” time now, re-read these verses and resolve to trust the “Sovereign Lord.”
Closing prayer
Sovereign Lord, I do indeed trust You. Make that trust real to me in any dark times I face.
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