ISAIAH 50:10 – 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.
THEME OF THE DAY. LESSONS LEARNED IN THE DARK. Charles Spurgeon preached these words to his people one Lord’s Day. His words capture the experience of all Christians at various times in our lives. He said, “How is it with your heart this morning? Is it in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled underfoot? Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it is neither your graces or feelings on which you are to live; you must live simply by faith on Christ.”
Encouraging words from the man known as the “Prince of Preachers.” What is behind Spurgeon’s words is the truth of today’s scripture. All believers do not always walk in the sunshine of God’s felt presence. Oh, He never leaves us nor forsakes us, but sometimes it sure feels like it! There are seasons in the Christian life when the “spiritual lights” seem to go out. God feels detached, impersonal, and we cry in our depression and pain, “Where are you, Lord?” And in those seasons much spiritual growth will occur. In today’s scripture, there are two necessary “growth steps in our faith” that may only be learned in the dark. They are necessary because, if learned, we are removed from relying on our feelings and experiences to live the Christian life. Here is what the Lord would teach us in those spiritual dark times when we don’t feel His Presence.
First, God teaches us to trust His name in dark times – “Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord.” In God’s names, and there are many, is His character. Do a study of the various names of God. We will learn so much of who He is by His names. In fact, we learn more of Him by His names than by His works. And in those dark seasons, knowing Him is the goal. So, when it is “spiritual night” in our hearts, remember all the glorious names of the Lord. It will sustain us in those midnight hours.
The other lesson to learn in the dark is a total abandonment to the person of our God. The verse continues, “Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” The prophet isn’t telling us to rely upon what God does but on who He is. Along with His names, we cling to the God who is personal. The God who promises us help and strength in dark times. Our faith is not in an impersonal God. And when the season of darkness is over and the lights come back on, we will see how personal God really was during that season.
So, lessons learned in the dark – trust in God’s names which reveals His character and trust in His Person who is committed to us at all times. Those lessons are the marks of a maturing faith. May we be quick to learn them when the “spiritual lights” go out!
PRAYER: “Father, when I must learn spiritual lessons that can only be learned in spiritual darkness, help me trust You.”
QUOTE: “When we don’t feel the warmth of God’s Presence that does not remove His Presence. He never leaves us”