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.