06/01/2019
In faith, like in our daily life... we move from dawn to dusk and back to dawn again as we move through our days. God created light in our lives, and thus separated it from the darkness. Are you currently walking in the light of day, or enduring a night? Both are natural, and although we are much more comfortable in the light, we learn to lean on the Lord in the dark, and we trust in His comfort and protection as we sleep.
“And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”
Genesis 1:3-5 ESV
I remember as a boy I was afraid in the night. I would often have nightmares, and they seemed so real to me that I would cry out. My mother would come to me, and reassure me, then sit with me as I fell back to sleep.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalms 4:8 ESV
As I grew older and understood better, she bought a print of a little boy and girl crossing a bridge, and behind them was a beautiful angel in flowing robes who was protecting them... their guardian angel. She hung that picture above my bed and told me that God sent angels to watch over me as I slept... and my nightmares went away.
“I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.”
Psalms 3:4-5 ESV
God does watch over us as we move through the nights of life, and gives us peace so that we might be replenished. Our faith in Him gives us rest, and replenishes us.
“At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.”
Jeremiah 31:26 ESV
It is natural for us to experience days and nights, and it is equally natural for us to move from joy to sorrow, and back again. In our days we worship and are joyous, and in the nights of terror and sorrow we call out, and grow in faith as He comes to us, and stands angels by our side.
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”
Psalms 34:7 ESV
And in the New Testament...
“for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"”
Luke 4:10-11 ESV
So as we walk with confidence and security through the light of our days; knowing Jesus is with us, and singing praises to God, our faith comes easily, and as we practice it, our joy abounds.
Yet when dusk approaches, and as we enter into the nights of life, our fear, terror, and sorrow attempts to overcome us. It is in the night that our faith grows, and that our trust in God is taught to be complete. We grow in the dark times of life to truly know peace, and what it means to rest in God’s arms. We lean on reassuring scripture, and with wide eyes in the darkness we search for most diligently for the light... We lean on God.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
And in the New Testament we read these words of Jesus...
“... And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."”
Matthew 28:20 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the daylight in which I can see you clearly, and follow your Son Jesus with ease, but I thank you most for the night, and the dark storms, in which my faith and trust are increased; in the night when my eyes strain to see you in the midst of the darkness. I thank you for the dimmest of lights which defeats darkness... the far off candle, the distant torch that guides me steadily towards you. Help me Holy Father to trust you more, and to rest in the midst of the storms that come my way. Still my heart in the night when the terror comes upon me, and give me sleep in your comforting presence. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who rules the night and the day equally. Great are you who leads me through every shadow, and returns me from the darkest night into your brilliant light where I can praise you in the fullest of joy! Hear my song in the day, and my cry in the night, and be with me always.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Rich Forbes