Ever felt like darkness surrounded you? Like it completely engulfed your entire being?
You know what I mean, right? Those times when you just can’t see anything clearly. Your path is hidden. You have no idea what is ahead. Like a thick forest you can’t penetrate, darkness overtakes you.
It’s in those times of darkness when we feel like God is not there. He’s abandoned us. He’s forgotten about us. Does he even care at all?
Our hearts may resonate with David in Psalms 139:11 when he says this:
Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me.
We usually try to avoid the darkness. We want to stay in the light as long as possible. We absolutely FEAR the dark places of our journey! Every thread of our soul unravels away at the mere thought of walking into darkness.
But I found a nugget today that I’d never seen before. A powerful nugget of truth that jumped off the page as I read it. May it encourage you today and give you HOPE if you are in a place of darkness.
Moses had just returned from the top of the mountain. Face-to-face with God, he received the ten commandments to take back to the people.
The people were trembling with fear. In fact, they stayed as far away from Moses as possible because of the thunder and lightning show at the base of the mountain. And here’s the nugget of truth….
Exodus 20:21 “The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.”
Did you catch the last three words of that verse??? Where. God. Was.
Huh?? You mean, God was IN the darkness? Seriously??
Yes. God was IN the thick darkness.
I don’t know about you, but that gives me hope! Those three words strengthen my soul! Those three words melt away the fearful thoughts of what darkness brings.
Those three words assure me that God is not only with me when my path is full of light, but he’s right there with me when darkness threatens to blind my eyes.
Just like the Israelites, we tremble when the lights start to flicker. We keep our distance from the approaching storm. Like a child afraid of the dark, we beg someone–anyone–to turn on a light.
Have you ever wondered why we’re afraid of the dark?
I think it boils down to this one truth: We can’t see anything!
We honestly believe that if we can’t see something, we can’t depend on it. What you can’t see is untouchable. What you can’t see is unknowable.
But our almighty God breaks down our human thinking with his all-powerful truth.
In him there is no darkness!
(2 Samuel 22:29) “You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.”
(Psalm 112:4) “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright…”
(Isaiah 42:16) “I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.”
Maybe the very reason he can turn our darkness into light is because he’s there…in the midst of the darkness….with us.
Where are you today, dear friend? Are you trembling with fear because of an approaching storm? Are you keeping your distance from the darkness, paralyzed to take another step? Maybe you’re right smack in the middle of a dark valley and you can’t see one single thing.
Although your human eyes may not be able to see the path, his sovereign hands are wrapped tightly around your soul. He won’t leave you. He is with you in the darkness.
Lisa Preuett~Rest Stop for the Soul 