PSALM 77:19-20 – Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen (hidden). You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

THEME OF THE DAY. WHEN HIS WAYS SEEM DARK. Often times when Christians go into those seasons of doubt, fear, or just feeling like “the lights are out” in our walks with the Lord, we have well-intended brothers and sisters come alongside and remind us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8). I have found in my own experience when my walk with the Lord is lived in the “bright sunshine” of His presence, I can give that verse with ease to a hurting brother or sister who is not in a place of spiritual sunshine, but in a season of pitch black spiritual darkness. However, when I am in the “midnight seasons of the soul”, my advice is a tough pill to swallow. It is always easy to give advice, sound advice even, but much more difficult to take and apply it to ourselves. That is a lesson in itself. Be slow to try and “fix” someone with advice. Best to first enter their world of pain and attempt to understand where they are, then be wise, even few, with words. So, back to today’s theme.

Today’s scripture establishes a principle that is essential for us to know and embrace when we enter those times of spiritual darkness; not darkness caused by sin, but those inevitable periods of time when God seems far away, the Bible a dull book, and prayer an exercise of duty and routine rather than the language and communication of love between our Heavenly Father and His child. And yes, every Christian will go through those periods. It is just not true that we go through life always “happy in Jesus” and walking in a constant state of spiritual euphoria. Someday we will . . . in heaven. We are not there yet. But don’t be down during those seasons. God will do His greatest work of faith-building in those long nights of spiritual darkness in our souls. He is still at work, and the chief work being done is teaching us to trust His Person and Promises more than what we see Him doing or feel. There is a great verse in the book of Isaiah showing us this end goal in times of spiritual darkness. Take time and meditate upon it, especially during dark times – Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God (Isaiah 50:10).

So, what is the lesson when God’s ways in us seem dark and certainly confusing for us? Today’s scripture. There is a reference to “God’s footprints being unseen or hidden.” Obviously it isn’t literal, but it teaches us that we don’t always see God’s “footprint” or hand in what is happening in our lives. We simply cannot trace His ways, but immediately following this verse is the picture of the Lord shepherding His people which always points to His love, care, and protection. The application is simply this – though we may not be able to see God’s hand in our lives, we may always trust God’s heart in our lives for His heart is always on us for good, not evil, and that means, though what is happening in our lives feels dark, it is not. The One who is the Light of the world is still at work in us for His glory and our good.

PRAYER: “Father, thank You for Your never-changing character which assures me of Your never-changing ways and purposes.”

QUOTE: “When we cannot trace God’s hand in our lives, we may still trust God’s heart in our lives.”