Can you recall one of the darkest hours that you have ever had to face? I certainly can.
Many of my darkest hours come to mind, such as:
- My parents’ home-going;
- Miscarrying our first child;
- Going through 3 more miscarriages;
- Facing my siblings’ home-going; and
- Financial crisis.
These are just a few, and I’m sure you can join in with me in sharing moments of darkness such as the ones that I have mentioned–and more. But, one thing is for sure:
Your trouble will not always last!
The only consolation that comes with your darkest hour is the fact that Jesus warned us about it. He said:
“In this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world” (John 16:33 TPT)!
Jesus promised us that darkness would come, trouble would come, trials will come, and then He offers comfort:
“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13 NASB).
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (Ps. 46:1 NLT).
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you” (Psalm 9:10 NLT).
‘The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles”
(Psalm 34:17 NKJV).
The thing about darkness and trouble is that it will not always last. That is also a promise from God, for the Bible says:
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NKJV).
The nighttime brings darkness that is overwhelming, bleak, and encumbering to us–physically, mentally, and spiritually.
However, even though trouble will come, it will not be around forever. I love the Scriptures that say time after time, “And it came to pass … And it came to pass … AND IT CAME TO PASS!” I would declare to you today that your trouble had to come … so that it could pass.
There is a reason trouble comes. Someone once said, “Warfare is proof that your enemy has discerned your future.”
Which leads me to my next point:
God will never put more on you than you are able to bear!
Jesus said:
“Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out” (1 Corinthians 10:13 GNT).
Darkness, trouble, pain, disappointment, and discouragement are a part of life. These things are part of living in a sin-cursed world. But, one thing I am confident of is that God is our burden-bearer.
Are you burdened today? The Lord wants to bear your burdens.
He is with you, and He will stay with you every step of the way to get you to the other side of the dark place. Isaiah 9:2 declares:
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”
Wow! What a promise. John said of Jesus:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5 NKJV).
And the same thing applies to you.
The thing that you’re going through right now will work out for your good. The darkness of Hell is not going to comprehend how you are coming up and coming out of this darkness. And if you’ll look very closely, you’ll begin to see the marvelous light of our Savior.
Peter said:
“You are a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, a Holy nation, a people for God’s own possession., so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
The promise of being in the dark might just mean that:
God is up to something!
When you go through darkness and trouble, you know somewhere deep in your heart by the witness of the Holy Spirit that God is desiring to do something BIG in you.
Paul says:
“Being confident of this one thing that He who began a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
God always has a plan … and one thing of which you can be assured is that the purposes and plans of God will prevail.
God uses tests, trials, darkness, and trouble in order to use us and prepare us for His kingdom.
What do these things do?
1) They refine us.
He told the children of Israel that He would put them in the fire so that He may “Refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested” (Zechariah 13:9).
2) They serve as proof to our enemy (the devil) and to the world that we are the children of God.
That’s why God inquired of the devil, and asked, “Have you considered my servant Job?” As Peter said:
“So after you have suffered a while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10).
3) The tests and trials bring you blessings in the long run.
After God tested Job, he received double for everything that he lost. The darkness that you go through is not to destroy you, but to cause your light to shine even brighter.
4) They cause us to realize that God wants us to know Him more.
The Bible says that even Jesus learned obedience to His Father by the things that He suffered. When you go through a time of trouble and darkness, it is the only way for you to understand that He really is the light at the end of the darkness. Also, when you go through the valley, it is then that you understand He is the Lily of the Valley. 🙂
It’s all about Him and our relationship with Him!
The final and last promise for your darkest hour is that God is with you … so you can’t give up!
Can I be so bold as to tell you, even though you feel as if you’re going through hell right now:
Quitting is not an option.
Why? You may ask. Well, quitting is not an option because God is with you! He is “Emmanuel, God with us”! God. He is the Great God!
Not Mohammed, who is dead!
Not the Hindu gods!
Not Hare Krishna! He’s dead also.
I’m talking about the creator God, who spoke–and EVERYTHING that you see came into being!
He is the One who was, and is, and is to come! THAT GOD! This is:
- The same God who told Moses, “I will never leave you!”
- The same God who told Joshua, “As I was with my servant Moses, I will be with you!”
- The same God who told Abraham to leave everything that he knew, saying: “I’m going to take you into a land that I WILL SHOW YOU! I will multiple you!”
He is THAT GOD!
He is the One who was with my grandmother Lonnie, my mother Gaynell, my sisters and ME TOO! THAT GOD!
Our God will never leave you nor forsake you. Not now, in your darkest hour; and not ever!
Where would you go anyway? Where is there to go after you leave God? Let me answer that: NOWHERE!
Peter asked, “Lord, where else is there to go? You are the only one that gives eternal life!” And the Psalmist asked, “Who have I in heaven but you?”
This darkness too shall pass.
The darkness you are in right now shall pass. I prophesy that, soon and very soon, you will be able to look back and see the hand of the Lord. YOU will be able to say, “Thank you, Lord!”
Soon and very soon, you’ll be able to look back and say, “Look what the Lord has done through all of that trouble and darkness!” You know He’s like that; He loves to take what your enemy meant for bad and turn it all around for your good.
SO, GET READY! You see that light? Here it comes!
Light is coming to you RIGHT NOW! It is not an oncoming train, either! It’s the glorious light of our Father! You’re coming out bigger and better and brighter!
Get ready to shine today, my friend!
Pastor Judy Jacobs
JudyJacobs.com
