11.27.07

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” - MalachI 4:1-2.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28.

Out of the darkness can come what? Good. If, if we love God, and are the called according to His purpose. Out of the darkness of the flood came the Rainbow. In the darkness, Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison. But out of the darkness came God’s provision to save his family and the lives of countless others. Out of the darkness of fear imposed isolation in the backside of the desert came an eighty-year-old Moses raised up to lead a nation out of bondage. Out of the darkness of a whale’s belly came repentance for Jonah and salvation for hundreds of thousands of Ninevites. Out of the darkness of religious intolerance and persecution came the apostle Paul to spread the light of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Out of the darkness of John Newton’s life as a slave trader came a preacher, a hymn writer, and a relentless crusade to end the slave trade. Out of the darkness we hear, “Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”

Out of the physical darkness of Fanny J. Crosby’s life came such great hymns as, “Jesus keep me near the cross.” “Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and mercy found me; there the Bright and Morning Star shed His beams around me.”

Are you living in darkness? Is the burden of life overwhelming? In recent days, I have had contact with some who have had thoughts about ending their lives. Life can be very difficult. Life can be crushing. Life can be devastating. What if Joseph falsely accused and in prison had turned away from God? I am sure that God could have used someone else to save His people. However, I am also sure that Joseph would have missed out on that deliverance. Moses could have turned away from God’s call at the burning bush and remained in obscurity but what a glorious adventure he and his family would have missed out on. Jonah could have refused to repent and died in the belly of the great fish. He could have but he did not. Instead, Jonah did what was incredibly difficult for him and he turned back to walk in obedience to God becoming the greatest evangelist of ancient history. These people of faith walked forward with God during incredible difficulty and found the greatest chapters of their lives being written and lived out.

Out of the darkness of the crucifixion of our Lord came “He is not here: for he has risen (Matthew 28:6).” Out of the darkness of death came the resurrection. Out of death came life! Out of the darkness comes what? Out of the darkness comes life. Out of the darkness comes the dawn for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose. For the “Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings” for those who fear the Lord.