DEVOTIONAL
IN THE DARK OR IN THE LIGHT
When I was young we didn’t have an arena of any sort. My Dad tore down some old
sheep pens and plowed up the ground and that was our arena. At the time we were in
horse heaven having a place to work the barrels and poles on our horses.
During the early spring and late fall months the days were short. Because of the lack
of daylight we often had to ride our horses in the dark because the rule was if you
didn’t ride you didn’t go to the show that weekend. So, we would be out there in the
dark working the horses.
My Dad painted our barrels white. He told us if your horse can find them in the dark he
can surely find them in the light of day. Actually, it worked quite well! Our horses got
to hunting those barrels in the dark. They knew what they were looking for and they
would focus on finding them. Then when we did work them in the light they found
them easily.
How many times have you been in a dark place and just got stuck there? Not looking
for the light and not looking for the Lord to lead you through it? We really had to look
for those white barrels out there in the dark. We really had to trust our horses to carry
us and take care of us. When we are “stuck” in a dark place we need to trust God to
bring us through it. There is always light waiting for us somewhere. We just need to
trust and we need to look for it.
John 12: 36—Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that
you may become sons of light.
Never forget that God is the same God at night as He is in the daylight. He is the same
in bad times as He is in the good times. He is always there and always the same. He
will never leave us or forsake us.
Psalm 9:10—Those who know your name will trust in you, for you
Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Have you ever done chores in the dark without any light whatsoever? It’s tricky. No
matter how well you think you know the terrain there is always something there to trip
you up. A small stone or dip or bump and a person can easily land flat on their face.
However, if you just keep going you will get the chores done. The chores may be a
little more difficult without light but you can get it done just like you can get through
the dark times in your life. You need to keep moving and seeking the Lord and you will
come out of the darkness and into the light.
Psalm 119: 105—Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for
my path.
I promise you this is true. I have had some very dark times in my life. I have had dark
times with the Lord in my life and dark times without the Lord. I will tell you a fact—I
came out of the dark times easier and more quickly with the Lord. When we are in a
difficult situation the first place we need to go is to the foot of the cross. Our God is a
BIG god. There is no situation that is too big for Him. There is no darkness so dark
that our God cannot cast light upon the situation.
So, the next time you are in a dark place start looking into that darkness and looking
for the light to guide you. I guarantee you it will be there. All you have to do is look.
1 Peter 2:9—But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation (set apart), a people belonging to God, that you may
declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into
his wonderful light.
And the next time the enemy tells you how worthless you are and tries to keep you
stumbling around in the dark you tell him:
Micah 7:8--Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have
fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness the Lord will be my
light.