The Discipline of Darkness - Part One
Dr. Adrian Rogers
LOVE WORTH FINDING
There are times in a Christian’s life when the lights just seem to go out and we enter a season of darkness.
When faced with calamity and nothing makes sense, the first question we ask is, “Why did God let this happen?” We feel we can bear just about anything if we only knew why. But what we need to ask is HOW. How are we going to respond?
We might as well admit it – Christians are often left in the dark. As you read this, you may be at the deathbed of a child. You may be going through financial distress. You may be enduring misrepresentation and disgrace or have a broken heart because of a broken home. The question haunts you – why?
What do you do when the lights go out?
In this message and the next, I have five propositions to consider. Here are the first three.
#1: Those Of Greatest Devotion May Know The Deepest Darkness
“Who is among you that fears the LORD, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” (Isaiah 50:10)
Darkness is not unusual for God’s choicest saints. No matter how close we walk to God, it’s not always sweetness and light. Who ever came up with the distorted idea that if we give our lives to Jesus, all will be joy and rose petals? We’re not going to waltz through life with ever-increasing health, success, a serene old age and a glorious exit. Thousands of saints who love God are deeply perplexed. Think of these Bible saints:
Job, godly man, wrote, “He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and He hath set darkness in my paths” (Job 19:8).
Habakkuk prayed, “O LORD, how long shall I cry, and Thou wilt not hear! Even cry out unto Thee of violence, and Thou wilt not save!” (Habakkuk 1:2) The heavens seemed like brass.
John the Baptist found himself in prison. It didn’t make sense that Jesus could work miracles, even raise the dead, and yet John was in prison. He asked Jesus, “Are You the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:19).
Even Paul, the great apostle, said, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
Great saints of history had the same experience. Read their biographies—many spoke of a dark night of the soul.
So if you’re in darkness, you’re in good company.
Notice that Isaiah describes the person in darkness as one who “fears Him and obeys the voice of His servant.” Darkness, therefore, does not mean we have sinned or are out the will of God.
"The Discipline of Darkness Part 1" article continued t is the single most important event in history since the creation of the world, and your perspective of it determines how you face each day, each trial, each incident of life. "You Are More Than a Conqueror" Kay Arthur, PRECEPTS FOR LIFE
Drawing from the apostle Paul's example of how he accepted his own weaknesses and hardships, Chuck Swindoll reminds us of what we often don't want to hear: our life on earth is for the purpose of making us more like Christ. Unfortunately, nothing does that better than the trials and pains we suffer. But if we, like Paul, can keep our eyes on the ultimate goal of letting God work through us, we'll learn to accept joyfully whatever God brings us and not seek the easy, pain-free life instead. "It's Not About You" Chuck Swindoll, INSIGHT FOR LIVING
If you are like most people, from time to time you find yourself in difficult trials. Those unwelcome moments of life you and I wish we could escape. In fact, that may describe your life today! "The Blessings of Trials" Dr. Michael Youssef, LEADING THE WAY
May the Lord richly bless you!
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