God Is In The Darkness

As I have been reading the news of scandals in high places within our country, I begin to wonder what our future will look like as a nation and as individuals.  I feel like I am walking in darkness with no real assurance that we will have the freedom that we enjoy today.

This week, in my chronological Bible reading I read Psalm 18:11. It is comforting.

He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. (Psalm 18:11 ESV)

David wrote this Psalm during a time when King Saul was hunting him down to kill him and God had rescued him once again.  I imagine during those times, David felt like he was living in darkness, wondering what his future really would be.

Many of us are feeling this way today as we watch with horror what is happening in our nation.  This verse is comforting as we see that God is in the darkness.  Sometimes He hides His face from us, in a sense, and He is covered.  We wonder where He is and why He is not acting on our behalf.  But He is there.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)

He often works behind the scenes.  Sometimes He allows things to take place that we don't understand and in our human wisdom would not allow.  But His wisdom is higher than ours.

"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" (Romans 11:34 ESV)

These are lessons that I find hard to learn and apply to my own life in these days.  God is in our darkness. Can we step back and watch for His hand in things?  Can we rest in His Providence even if it means we might suffer?  He is there and He will give us the strength to persevere.