12/11/2022
In the darkest seasons of our lives when we find ourselves wandering aimless with outstretched hands what is it that we are searching for? What are we hoping to find? Are we desperate to find something, anything, firm to hold onto, or are we following the voice and scent of God to His house where we can worship and bless Him? It is easy, and natural for us to worship our Lord when light surrounds us, and we are receiving the gifts He provides, but when night falls on us do we continue to call His name, and seek Him, or do we enter the first door that opens for us and call its owner our lord? When frightened, hungry, thirsty, lost in the darkness, and there is no relief in sight, do we continue to praise God, and call out the name of Jesus?
“Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!”
Psalm 134:1-3 ESV
Night falls on everyone at some point during their life, so it is good that we prepare ourselves, and consider what we will do when it does. If we hold to our faith through God’s Word, and the gospel of Jesus, then we can rest in them, sleep with holy dreams, and be at peace until the sun rises again, but if we are unprepared, and the night terrors set upon us, we will begin to run frantic into the night, tripping, falling, and seeking anything that might provide us with even the slightest hope… in this way we will have left the house of the Lord and entered the lair of Satan.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:6 ESV
Are we preparing ourselves for the hard nights in our lives? When darkness falls over us will we be ready to bear witness to God and Jesus Christ? Will we take comfort in the house of the Lord and worship Him in peace, because we have hope in His promises, faith that He has not abandoned us, and that we are safe in His hand until the light returns in the morning?
“There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”
Luke 21:11, 13 ESV
Our faith is not limited to the day, or the night, because it was our God who created both of these, and to know Him is to know that He remains with us in each.
“God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”
Genesis 1:5 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the light of day, and for the darkness of night. Whether day or night we worship and praise you. You lead us as we have visions and follow your pillar of cloud by day, and we take solace that you are watching over us as we dream, rest in the night and take heed of your bright star that guides us to your Son Jesus by night. On the darkest of nights when the stars are obscured by storms and fear lurks just beyond our outstretched hands, you hear our hearts beating and give us a pillar of fire to calm us and provide us with enough light that we are calmed in our prayers. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always, day and night, and worthy of our unceasing prayer, praise, and worship. Praised be your name as we rest and sleep peacefully in your arms through the darkest of nights, and for every step we take in light and assurance with Jesus. Merciful are you Lord for your grace pours out on us, and you are vigilant towards us without ceasing, even for a blink of an eye. Wash our feet and faces before we close our eyes at night, and again when we rise. Cleanse us in the blood of Jesus and find us worthy of eternity with you as we are redeemed by Hid blood, and transformed into righteous believers in Him. Whether day or night come quickly Lord Jesus!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.”
Psalm 91:1, 5-6 ESV
Rich Forbes