Mistaking Troubles for Absence?

West Texas views go on forever. At night you can see more than 40 miles as the lights of other towns flicker and dance in the distance. The sun appears to shine in the horizon long after it should, and the sun rises much later. Aunt Eddie’s room was on the west side of the hospital, so it was dark out the 7th floor window till well after 7am.


Eventually I saw faint symbols of the sunrise. Trees took on a red hue, shadows emerged below in the parking lots and empty areas near the hospital. Eventually I saw the brightness of the sun casting the long shadow of the building on the ground and I knew the sun was rising and it was only a matter of time before it was completely sunlit where we were.

There are times in our lives when we feel such darkness surrounding us that we have a hard time believing the sun will ever shine again. We stand vigil in prayer, hoping for a change in the scenery and all we see is misery. From what we see with our own eyes, we feel misery as well. If we’re not careful, our eyes will deceive us – we’ll begin to believe there’s no hope to ever see daylight. On the dark side of our problems, there’s sure to be a chill in the air.

Oh beloved, are you wondering if God is real? Are you mistaking troubles for absence? God’s Word is your guide in the darkest of nights. While the view may be shadowed, you can see His truth and rest in His promises regardless of the circumstances. Even though the light of His Word is all you may see right now, you can trust God and believe Him completely. And, beloved, when daylight comes you can shout a triumphant praise to the One Who has seen you through! God loves you and He’s for you and His Word is forever faithful no matter what.


Psalm 12:6 The LORD's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.



Psalm 119:140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much.



Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything He does.



Psalm 1:2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.



Psalm 130:6 I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.



Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”