Overcoming the Darkness

Psalm 77:9-12

Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?

And I said, “this is my anguish/infirmity; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”  I will remember the works of the LORD, surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of all Your deeds.

The pains and struggles of today are real and can wear on the mind and emotions of even the strongest believer. At times they can so overwhelm us that we can no longer see God’s presence or hear His voice. We look for Him but cannot find Him in the darkness. We cry out to Him but the noise of our troubles seems louder than His response. In our loneliness and despair our minds and soul begin to doubt the very love of God and even question His faithfulness. These times of struggle provide fertile ground for the adversary to sow seeds of doubts and imaginations into a weary soul.

At these times we must, as the apostle Paul teaches us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 “take every thought captive” to protect ourselves from the deception of the devil. We then must discipline ourselves to think on those things which are true, which are noble, which are just and those things which are lovely and of good report as Paul also teaches us in Philippians 4:8. Paul is reminding us that the struggles of this life can clutter and confuse our thinking and must be addressed by remembering and meditating on the truth.

The psalmist practiced this discipline of thinking on truth as he began to remember and meditate on the wonderful works of God. Not only did he meditate on the truth of God’s goodness but he also began to talk to others about God’s faithfulness . Soon his doubts were vanquished and his faith restored. Although his circumstances may not had changed but his view of God and His faithfulness was restored. As he meditated on and proclaimed the truth of God’s goodness the darkness began fade and he began to see once again the beauty of his Lord and hear His precious voice. His peace returned with the assurance that God’s love is everlasting and He is bigger than any circumstance.

Our Lord has never promised that we would not go through tough times. Instead, His word teaches they are part of our Christian growth, our sanctification. Yet, He did promise He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is always there, even when we cannot see Him. In the darkest of days, let us set our minds on Jesus. He is the Light. He has overcome the darkness.