Thursday, December 7, 2023
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. Isaiah 9:2
Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Finding Hope in the Dark Places
This past Sunday we began the season of advent with hope. Advent is a time to anticipate and prepare for the arrival of something or someone. For hundreds of years God’s people waited and anticipated the coming of the promised Messiah. Even though it happened in very different ways and in very different timing than they expected, God did fulfill His promise with the birth of a tiny baby born in a stable – the light of the world that dispels the darkness. At Christmas, we celebrate the first advent, or the incarnation – Jesus coming to earth as a baby. Every day we live in anticipation of the second coming – Christ as our Savior as we.
It is easy for us to find ourselves in darkness if we are not vigilant against it. There are different kinds of darkness we can fall into. We might be waiting for an answer from God and He is silent. How we deal with the darkness matters greatly and choosing despair and not choosing to walk in faith, is giving into fear.
We can find ourselves in the darkness of sin, if we are looking to the darkness to find what we can only find in the light. Sometimes we turn to the wrong things to numb ourselves in the darkness we are going through. Getting trapped in any kind of darkness is like being caught in quicksand. If we let it, it will become a stronghold in our lives and before we know it, we will be stuck in darkness.
When we are in darkness, we either seek the light or we hide in fear. When we cannot see, light reveals the way. Are you in a season of darkness? If so, how are you walking in this season? Are you giving into fear because you cannot see the path ahead or are you walking in hope, knowing that the Light Of The World is your light, and He will illuminate every step if you have faith in Him.
Advent reminds us that God is faithful and we can look to Him with expectation. He reveals the way and He gives His very best to His children. His promises are true.
Perhaps the key to finding the light of hope in the dark places is a matter of surrender. Knowing He is faithful and has the very best plan of all, we can surrender our own solutions at His feet and trust Him to lead and guide us through the dark places. His all sufficient power and love, coupled with His faithfulness gives us the hope we cannot find on our own, and shines light, dispelling darkness.
Are you searching in the darkness for what can only be found in the light?
Hope is not found in the way we think or plan or believe it should all play out. Hope is found in trusting in an all sufficient, faithful, promise-keeping God who loves us.
This week, and forevermore, find hope in the only One who has the power to bring the light into dark places. Remember His faithfulness and trust His hand and take that hope to others around you who need it.
