A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"God Sees In The Dark"

One evening during a teen camp that I was directing a friend of mine came to visit. We chatted about a variety of subjects as I made rounds being sure the teens were honoring the curfew. It was a rather dark night. Heavy clouds blocked the moon light and the camp ground was not very well lit. I mentioned to my friend that on nights like these I wished I had night vision so that I could see clearly. He  replied,"hold on" and with that he ran to his vehicle. He returned with a helmet which had special scopes attached to it. "Put this on" he instructed. I did and found that I could see clearly in the dark. Everything had a greenish glow, but I could see.  My friend was a military helicopter pilot. What he had given me were night vision goggles. He explained that this equipment intensified light making it possible for a person to see in the dark. No problem seeing at night with these. The only problem was that I couldn't keep them.

There are times in our lives when the darkness we experience has nothing to do with the lack of nature's night and there are no night vision goggles to help. It is a darkness of soul and mind. Scripture uses darkness in two metaphorical ways. One describes a person in sin. They are the in darkness of sin. The only answer to their groping in this darkness is Jesus! He is The Light. There is another darkness noted in Scripture. It is the darkness of desperation and brokenness. It is not about sinning. It is the hard times of life. It is when everything seems to be falling apart. Life has taken its toll upon us and there is a desperation of soul. We are confused. We are shaken. Our faith is challenged. We fear the darkness will overwhelm us. We cannot see any way out. We cry with the Psalmist "surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me." (Psalm 139:11)

In times like these we need to be reminded and take heart in the wonderful fact that "even the darkness will not be dark to God; the night will shine like the day, for the darkness is as light to God." (Psalm 139:12) God can see in the dark. He sees with prefect clarity. He needs no special equipment. Our midnights are as noonday light to Him. Even if we cannot sense His presence, God is there. Even if we cannot see Him working, God is working. Even if we cannot hear His voice, His Word goes forth. Nothing catches Him by surprise. Darkness does not and it cannot blind Him.

Therefore, beloved, let us always hold on to Jesus with tenaciously faith. As a frightened child tightly gripping his father's large strong hand, let us grab God's hand. He will lead us through the darkness. He will guide us all the way. We can trust Him. We must trust Him for only He can see in the dark!

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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