Thoughts for Life: WHEN DARKNESS CLOSES IN

Martin Wiles

Total darkness frightens me.

My wife and I drive away total darkness in our home by placing night lights at selective places. One in the bathroom makes it possible for us to see how to use the facilities at night without having to turn on a lamp or overhead light. Night lights in the den keep our animals satisfied.

But total darkness didn’t seem to bother Daniel. Jealousy drove his enemies to arrange a deal with the king, which resulted in Daniel being thrown to the lions. Reading his story in the Bible can mask how dark this experience truly was. No overhead lights or oil lamps decorated the den. Daniel sat, stood, or lay in total darkness. He heard the lions pacing and roaring. He probably smelled their wild scent but never saw how closely they approached him.

The trials and tribulations of life can bring what appears to be total darkness. I’ve experienced quite a few such periods. This much I know: total darkness never indicates God’s absence. Our sin or God’s testing may have ushered in the darkness, but God never leaves our side regardless of the cause of the darkness. He is still working. If we’ve sinned, we need to confess and repent. If He is testing us, we need to develop our trust in Him to do the right thing.

In periods of total darkness, God can and often does feel nearer. Darkness reminds us that we control nothing. God does. His ways are higher, and His thoughts are beyond our understanding. He is the creator and controller. Our duty is to walk by faith.

Daniel was in darkness because of the work of his enemies. Satan can bring periods of darkness. The Bible compares him to a prowling lion. Daniel's episode reminds us God has the power to close his mouth. Satan is on God’s leash and can only do what he is allowed to do. God commands the darkness.

When our periods of darkness are over, we need to help someone else understand God’s power and compassion. Daniel witnessed to the king about his God. God doesn’t want us to waste our experiences but rather to use them to help someone else.

When your periods of darkness creep in, remember who controls them.

"A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles." Daniel 6:17 NLT

Let's pray-

Father, total darkness frightens many of us. We find that we can drive away total darkness in our homes by placing night lights at selective places. We are able to see how to get around without turning on a lamp or overhead light. Night lights can keep pets satisified, too.

Daniel was thrown into the lion's den by his enemies and there he lay in total darkness, smelling their wild scent coming closer as they approached him. Daniel's

episode in the lions' den reminds us that You have the power to stop Satan's efforts to harm us, as he is on Your leash and can only do what he is allowed to do. You command the darkness.

Our trials and tribulations of life can bring what appears to be total darkness at times. No doubt we've experienced quite a few such periods. We have experienced these times, knowing that You're present there with us. Our sin or Your testing may have ushered in the darkness, but You are still working in us to help us repent if we've sinned, and to develop our trust in You to do the right thing.

In periods of total darkness, You can and do often feel nearer. Darkness reminds us that we control nothing. You do, and Your ways are higher, and Your thoughts are beyond our understanding. You are the Creator and Controller of everything. Our duty is to walk by faith.

You don’t want us to waste our experiences but rather to use them to help someone else! We pray for Your help in and through the name of Jesus. Amen

#98 Testimony- The power that used Billy Graham

Thank God for the gifts, talents and preaching ability of men like Evangelist Billy Graham! But the power that has changed the lives of thousands through Billy Grahams' ministry is not the power of superior gifts, unusual talents, clever speech or persuasive techniques, but the power released by the prayer and faith of the millions of his prayer helpers.

From heaven's point of view, the combined prayer and intercession which has supported Billy Graham is the real reason for his success in reaching people for Christ and continues to be the reason for the success of his son Franklin Graham.

1526-1530 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1526- Is. 42:10a "Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end

of the earth."

1527- Is. 42:12a "Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise."

1528- Daniel 12:12a "Blessed is he that waiteth."

1529- Is. 43:13a "Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can

deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let (reverse) it."

1530- Hab. 2:4b "The just shall live by his faith."

#98 Hymn- Just As I Am

The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL (pg. 113)

Charlotte Elliott of Bringhton, England was an embittered woman. Her health was broken, and her disability had hardened her. Hoping to help her, a Swiss minister,

Dr. Cesar Malan, visited the Elliotts on May 9,1822. Over dinner he saw that she was very bitter towards God, and asked her if she was holding on to her hate and anger because she had nothing else in the world to cling to.

She was interested in what his cure was! He said she was to give herself to God just as she was, with her fighting and fears, hates and loves, pride and shame. "I would come to God just as I am? Is that right?" Charlotte did come just as she was, and her heart was changed that day. She wrote a poem later that became the most famous invitational hymn in history: Just As I Am.

Some encouraging words-

It is love expressed through obedience that helps us live increasingly at home with God. And in order for this to happen, we have to keep the lines of communication open with Him and draw strength from Him, which leads us to love to pray.

Church Notes:

Prophet, Priest, King!

Jesus is forever our Prophet, Priest and King. Old Testament priests, and all prophets and kings died. Jesus rose from the grave triumphant over death, and is alive forevermore! We are alive through Him. We shall be changed to be like Him with eternal bodies someday. We're to be steadfast and immovable, as we live from day to day, radically being transformed into His likeness. No sin is too big for God to forgive; He is Able to save us! Hallelujah! Christ lives as our Intercessor for eternity!

Upcoming posts:

8/16- DON'T NEGLECT GOD'S WORD- Phyllis Freeman

23rd- A HAND TO HOLD- Laurie Lemke Thompson

30th- FINDING REST FROM CONTROL- Matt Holmes