Week of September 15

Think of the darkest day you have faced in your life. One where you felt entirely alone and could not see your next step. There is a message for you in God’s Word. The Lord can take the darkest moment in your darkest day and cause the sun to rise upon it, so trust Him.

The passages we have before us today cover the climax to a time in Judah’s history where their hopes were dashed, and their lives were forever altered. Nevertheless, God mercifully began the rebuilding process for Israel’s future from those dismal days, and He used the poorest of the poor to do it. Therein lies the great reversal we see magnified in the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ (Philippians 2:9-11). Let’s see what the Lord will teach our hearts today about trusting Him in the most difficult moments of our lives.

We all have listened to people give in-the-moment interviews to reporters as they stand in front of their homes that have been destroyed by storms or other calamities. They thank God that they are alive. They also know that months of challenges lie ahead! We have a grim saying for such times: “Just when you think things cannot get any worse, they do!” 

Well, “worse” for Jerusalem would arrive soon. Their immediate and future hopes seemed to be all but dead. There had already been two deportations of the best and brightest to Babylon, and then the last one came and removed all who could be of any possible service to the conquerors (2 Kings 25:8-12). Nebuzaradan, the commander of Nebuchadnezzar’s imperial guard, arrives on the scene in Jerusalem and begins “demo day.” He set fire to Jerusalem’s permanent structures, including the temple and the palace. His men tore down the city’s walls (vv. 9-10). Only the poorest of the poor were left to plow the fields and care for the vineyards. Could it get any better than this? I know question seems to be nonsensical, but consider the following.

God does not desert His children even when He must discipline them (see Hebrews 12:5-6). We must not overlook that this story in Israel’s history is one part of God’s larger story of redemption. We must not miss the point, or we may miss God’s purpose when His people are disciplined. Look carefully at the following. First, the reason for the outside military attack was because of an inside insurrection of the heart—Israel had been rebellious. The nation had been warned repeatedly of God’s coming punishment for their rebellion, but they had shown consistent disregard for God, His message, and His messengers (read again 2 Chronicles 36:15-17). 

Secondly, God must judge sin because of His covenant love and in order to redeem His children (cf. Genesis 3:8-19; esp. 15; and 21-24). Even in Israel’s darkest hour, God had promised to restore a faithful remnant, and His plan was still in motion (Jeremiah 23:3). His people and their land would be restored according to His will and for His glory (2 Chronicles 36:22-23). 

Thirdly, do not look with scorn or cast insults upon the poorest of the faithful poor and their dark circumstances, nor look upon their plight as hopeless (see Matthew 27:39-44). They will emerge as victors (cf. Revelation 12:10-11). Our Lord brought salvation to the world from a feeding trough in a manger, and eternal hope from a borrowed tomb! Cling to the Lord, even in your darkest hour of separation, because He always delivers His children.

I have heard of folks who ignore doctor’s warnings about their health until the illness besieges their bodies. Such examples remind us that we overlook the warning signs of serious illness to our own detriment. I have heard many testimonies from people who abused their bodies for years through hurtful behaviors. They recount how they ignored the pleas from loved ones to change their habits or disregarded the warning signs from their failing health. There have been some, however, who have been given a miraculous new lease on life due to life-saving treatments for their conditions. They live changed lives from that time forward because of the newfound hope that their healing brought. Their darkness became light through a healing gift.

Here is a spiritual reminder in your time of darkness and despair: Christ’s resurrection makes your dark nights of the soul bearable. Trust God’s “Light of the world,” Jesus Christ, in your despair (read John 1:6-13; 8:12). Reach out to Him in your darkness. He will bring new light and hope into your life.

1. Recall a dark period in your life and expand the frame a bit. Expand the frame? Yes, we all too often write off a period of our lives as hopeless because we did not frame the entire picture—we left God out. Widen your frame of that circumstance to see the ways that God was at work to deliver you. Praise Him for this.

2. God’s church may presently be walking through the shadows. Look at the signs of “Me-ism”: disunity, disregard for God’s moral standards, and neglect of the hurting and suffering around us. Turn night into day by pursuing God’s light (Matthew 5:13-16).

3. For Families: The Bullocks went to Arkansas last weekend to visit their daughter and family who have recently moved there. We attended the worship service at their church on Sunday and were amazed at the hundreds of young families in attendance!

Parking near the Preschool entrance and passing through that hallway allowed us to see dozens of babies in their mother’s arms and fathers with wee children in tow. Everyone was greeting each another with great joy and excitement to be at church. It was a noisy and happy space!

What caught my eye after the service, upon reversing our journey through the halls to the car, were the many little ones who were all wearing paper headbands as they rejoined their parents. On the front of each headband, was a light bulb—colored a bright yellow—as if they were all tiny miners. The moms and dads were exclaiming over the unusual head gear, and the children were gleefully explaining, “I am God’s light and I am shining in the world!”

My heart overflowed with thanksgiving. Yes, indeed! That church is teaching the youngest of the family to be God’s torches where they live. Our prayer is that you and your family will be encouraged to live Light this year too.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock