Saturday, August 11, 2012

He Will Lead You Out of Your Dark Place

On one of our road trips we traveled through Southern Alabama. We were hot, tired and hungry as we pulled into a steak house. After eating we headed for a state park we had found online. We didn’t really know anything about the area, just trusting what we’d read.  It was dusky dark as we found the road that would lead to that park. The road started out in a residential area. It got darker and darker as we traveled. As with all trips, the first ride there always seems to take forever. As the last light was just leaving the sky we noted grass growing in the middle of the pavement. Not a good sign. We eventually found the park entrance only to see the gate was locked!  In the dark all we could make out was a trailer house on the right and a small frame house on the left. There were lights on in the trailer and we saw someone peer through the curtains. On motorcycles, at night, in unfamiliar territory had us more than spooked. Finally a man came out and said he’d take us to a campsite. We followed his pickup and could just make out water and deep woody areas all around the narrow path.  As we drove into the camping area, he showed us our camp and pointed to the shower house.  We were just a little concerned at where we were and if we’d be safe, but we had to go to bed. By now it was after 10 pm. We talked a little about trusting God and worked quickly to get our campers set up.  We went to bed not knowing what we’d find the next day.

As I stepped out of the camper at daybreak, I was startled with delight! Yes, startled! We were perched on a little hill overlooking a beautiful small lake complete with geese and an occasional fish jumping. The fog was lifting on the water and the scene was absolutely gorgeous! What we thought was a precarious place turned out to be quite lovely. But it wasn’t until the morning light that we could know. In the dark it was impossible to see that our hard path would turn into a stunning destination.   

Oh beloved, you may well be on a path that’s stormy, rocky or rough. You may have chosen it yourself or had it picked for you. Either way, you’re there. I know it’s hard to imagine that anything good will come into your life again. Don’t let your circumstances confuse you. Your way may be hard now, but your destination is wonderful! We cannot trust our feelings, but we can trust God! Just as the man came out into the night to show us our campsite, so we must trust the One Who comes into our darkness to show us a place of rest. Follow the Lord! He will lead you out of your darkness into His marvelous light!

 2 Samuel 22:29  O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness.

Job 12:22 He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; He brings light to the deepest gloom.

Psalm 107:14  He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom…

Isaiah 45:3 And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

Psalm 30:5   Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

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