“O Lord, why do You reject me? Why do you turn Your face from me?” (Psalm 88:14 NLT)
The above quote is a verse from a song written by Heman the Ezrahite thousands of years ago, yet, it captures the heart’s cry of millions in our world today, many who sincerely and genuinely know Jesus as Savior and Lord. But how can that be? Doesn’t salvation in Jesus deliver me from those times of isolation and aloneness?
The words of Dr. George Pardington encourage me when he writes: “Times of darkness come to a faithful and believing disciple who is walking obediently in the will of God. They come as seasons when he does not know what to do or which way to turn. His sky becomes overcast with clouds, and the clear light of heaven does not shine on his path, so that he feels as if he were groping his way through complete darkness. Dear believer, does this describe you? What should you do in times of darkness? Listen to God’s Word: ‘Let him…trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.”
While his words may fall on doubting or even deaf “ears,” his words are nonetheless true. But how can it be? Just because an answer is simple, doesn’t make it any less profound. What do you do when the engine on your car locks up and is useless? You pull it out and replace it or get a different car. Easy answer, not always so easy to do.
Following Jesus is simple on many levels, but it’s rarely easy. Self-denial and self-discipline aren’t traits that most human beings cherish or even desire, but they’re critical and essential if we’re going to live effective and fruitful lives to the honor and fame of our Savior. Times of darkness are hard, for anyone, but especially for someone who has placed their trust in Jesus.
We’re quick to assume He will guard and protect us from such tormenting times, but that’s not always the case. But why? Because the impurities of silver (Psalm 66:10) are burned away in the fire. If we never had emotionally trying times, we’d never be able to be rid of some of the selfish impurities that cling to our spirit.
Selfishness and ungodliness are not at their core emotional, they’re spiritual. The Lord will allow us to have times of emotional stress, but they may be caused by many factors. The point isn’t what causes our dark times, but what helps us in and through them? The Lord’s goal is always to refine, strengthen, improve, make better and more valuable, not destroy.
Trust allows us to see through the maze of distractions upon which the enemy would have us focus, to the core of what’s really happening. God only allows things to enter our lives if they make us better, never bitter. He wants to use them to equip us to be more, not less; be stronger, not weaker; more like Him, not more like ourselves.
The “fire” of the Cross led to the joy of the Resurrection; you can’t have one without the other. You can’t coast through life without ever experiencing pain, suffering, times of loneliness and despair and believe you’re being shaped into the image of God’s Son. I think of Paul’s words in Philippians 1:29: “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him.”
Spending time with Jesus in the darkness enables us to shine more brightly the light of His holy life, that others may see Him more clearly.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 