The earth remained in darkness when I woke this morning. The chill of late fall covered the ground in a light frost that began to sparkle because, like every morning before, the sun still came up just over the ridge.
Coffee in hand, I made my way to my quiet place by the window overlooking our lower yard, creek, and forest edge. The old apple tree stood stark, branches bare from the last storm. It cast a shadow that darkened the space outside my window. But through the darkness and shadows, through the fingertips of the bare branches, I caught a glimpse of amber and gold glowing on the horizon.
The sun still came up despite the darkness of the earth
Sunlight had crept over the mountain ridge and shone on a cluster of oak and maple trees. Darkness could not shut out the splendor I could see through the shadows because the sun still came up — despite how dark the earth appeared.
For there in the darkness, the glory of the morning had broken through, its brilliance painted with the Hand of hope. The sun had broken through the darkness and displayed its glory with a loud hallelujah! Amber and gold shone boldly with no regard for the darkness lurking outside my window …
All because the sun still came up, faithful as always, despite the darkened world.
Is anyone faithful like our God? Can anyone create the light of hope in the prevailing darkness like Him? There is no other God like our God. None.
The Lord promises us, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)
Your darkness may be all-consuming, but the sun will still come up
I don’t know the darkness that has befallen you, but I know that the darker the darkness grows, the brighter the light of Christ will burn until you find your way back to His embrace. He pursues us with His love. He draws near in our brokenness and desires to carry us close to His heart.
But we must seek Him. Look for Him. Expect Him to draw near just as He promised. When we focus on our problems, that’s all we see, but when we look up to behold our God, when we seek Him with all of our hearts, we will find Him. He will be there just as He promised.
And though the darkness about you feels all-consuming, the Lord will never fail you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Like the sun that still comes up in the foreboding darkness lingering from the night, His light will shine upon you once more, and the glory of His presence will quiet you with His love.
Selah
***************************************************
Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down, and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
