Light in Our Darkness (An Encouraging Word)
It was one of those days: everyone on the prayer call was struggling with something. One mourned an aging parent’s illness; another worried over a dispute she had with her son; still another was processing yet another unwanted health diagnosis. If the air was heavy, our hearts were heavier. We were a bunch of weary women.
It may not surprise you, but by the end of the call, confession after confession was made: “I almost didn’t call in today. I thought I was too upset to pray.” “Me too! I was so distraught I didn’t feel like praying!” What my friends went on to share, however, was that they knew the prayer call was exactly the place they NEEDED to be. And as God is so faithful to do, He met each and every one of us, complete with our heavy hearts. He didn’t just MEET us, however; He LIFTED us. He gave joy where there had been none; peace in the midst of the storm; and strength to endure the battle ahead.
I wonder today: do you feel weak, weary, or exhausted, as though you’re in the thick of your own battle?
If so, you’re not alone. While a very different kind of battle, no doubt, this is what is described for us in 2 Samuel 21 when the Philistines once again were at war with Israel. We read that when David and his men “were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted.”
Battles - of any kind - will do that to you, won’t they?
Not only that, but David found himself cornered, about to be killed. The situation looked hopeless.
It was a dark time for David. Perhaps it’s a dark and difficult time for you, too.
But as the Lord would have it, in His sovereign care, Abishai came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine (instead of the Philistine killing David). Yet, David STILL was in the thick of it, for after this, there was another battle. Then another. And another.
Do you ever feel as though there is just no end to what you’re facing, fighting, or feeling? I’m sure David did at one point as well, so it’s no surprise he sang to the Lord when he was finally rescued from all of his enemies. (2 Samuel 22)
In this song of praise, he recounted the Lord’s mighty deeds and continued faithfulness. He concluded, “O Lord, you are my lamp. The Lord lights up my darkness.” (v 29)
Friends, when we’re in the thick of it, whatever “it” may be, when we are weary and weak, cornered with seemingly no way out, remember: the Lord is our lamp. He lights up our darkness, including our despair, discouragement, and disappointment. And just as He can bring light to the darkness, He can bring hope to our heaviness.
He is with us in our battles just as He was with David in his. Whatever you face today, remember: He is with you even in the darkest of times and is able and willing to comfort your heart, strengthen your body, and light up the path you are to take.
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..." (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
With much love in Christ,
Cara Blondo on behalf of the CCOB Women’s Ministry
(As first appeared in Girl, Read Your Bible)