One of the great paradoxes in scripture is the relationship between God and darkness. For example, we're told He creates darkness (Isa. 45:7); and at the same time says there is no darkness in Him at all (1Jn. 1:5). We generally think of evil when thinking of the dark (Jn. 3:19). Yet the Word tells us there are great treasures and riches to be found in the darkness. Therefore, only by studying the context will it be ascertained which of the two God is speaking.
The Lord is pleased to allow some of His choice children to go through periods of prolonged darkness. Job tells us God set darkness in his paths; and Jeremiah states the Lord had led him into darkness and not into light.The length of time is according to His Sovereign Will. It can last anywhere from long agonizing hours, as in Jesus' case; to days of searching, as in Paul's situation. It can even go into years of waiting, Israel being an example.
There is inestimable profit to be found by God's child when passing through that dark, dark, valley. One of which is hearing the still small voice of our God, "What I tell you in darkness," says He. A second being, what Job describes as, "...discovering the deep things out of darkness." You'll learn more in the dark times than you ever could when the sun is shining.
When our children were small, we often played hide-n-seek in the house at night. My greatest thrill was hiding in a walk-in-closet, waiting for one of the little urchins to find me. "And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face...and I will look for him. Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs..."
No comments:
Post a Comment