Truth in the Darkness

We can talk all we want about trusting God and letting Him be sovereign and resting in Him, but there comes a time when we are asked to live it.  We look into the future and it is dark.  Dark enough, in fact, that we are overwhelmed by it.  The proverbial rubber has met the road, and we are undone.  

What then?  Is God still sovereign, or has He momentarily let go of the universe?  Is He powerful enough for my darkness, or do I have to start sending out flares?  Is there a moment when He lets go, and I have to figure it out on my own?  

This, the very moment when all we want is to give up and give in to the darkness, is the moment we must start remembering. We must remember God's work in our lives in the past; we must conjure up past joys and amazing interventions; we have to make a diligent search in our personal histories for days of long ago when God made Himself abundantly known.  Read these words of Asaph, and take heart:

I am so troubled I cannot speak.  I consider the days of old, the years long ago.  I said, "Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart."  Then my spirit made a diligent search: "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?  Has his steadfast love forever ceased?  Are his promises at an end for all time?  Has God forgotten to be gracious?  Has he in anger shut up compassion?"  

Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.  Your way, O God, is holy.  What god is great like our God?  You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.  You with your right arm redeemed your people.  (Psalm 77:4b-15a)

Job says rightly:  I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. (19:25).

We may not feel that God is near, but we can know that He is.  And, as Jesus told us in John 8, If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  It is our knowledge of the truth that will set us free to trust Him fully in the darkness. He is strong, He is able, He is gracious and merciful, He alone lights the darkness.  Know it and be free to take the next step into it.