Sometimes God, through His Spirit, leads us into a “wilderness” experience because we are light! God does not look at our limitation and the situation around us, He looks at His Power within us, which is the same Power that raised Christ from the dead. And He sends us out not because we can but because He can handle it.
God does not lead us into the darkness because He wants us to be swallowed by it or to wallow in it, but to be the one who leads those trapped in it out of its grip, because we are light! Jesus, the Light of the world came to the earth and leads millions every day into the Glorious presence of God where there is no shadow of turning, where no darkness can comprehend. And that is the charge to us all as well, irrespective of what we may be going through, what we have or think we dont, we need to go out into the world around us and be the light, give hope and maybe even sustain hope. Usually, people would respond to and find hope in the story/testimony of someone who is fighting or has fought the same battle as them, so don’t hide your light under the bushel of shame, pain or guilt, instead, ask for grace and strength, and humble yourself so that He can lift you up.
When we look beyond our weakness and challenges and keep our focus on Jesus we know that, of ourselves, we can do nothing, therefore we acknowledge His Power. And like in the case of David vs. Goliath, the situation trying to break us will have no choice but to bow. Paul and Silas were thrown into jail and because they knew their situation responds to a higher power they just worshipped, they did not allow the chains to bind their spirit, and that night, not only physical chains and doors broke, hearts broke too. The light came into the jailer’s home and life, and he and his family could not resist the earth shaking Power of God that responded to the praises of the children of God.
Paul’s prison experience and even health problems were reduced to nothing because Paul chose to magnify God instead of his problems. His desire that God be glorified did not make us realise that most of the encouraging words He allowed the Holy-Spirit to speak through him were spoken from some very dark places physically and mentally; but spiritually, he remained a light in every one of those situations because he knew there was an end to those situations but to the Kingdom of God there is no end. And so, he chose God over his challenges.
The darkness for some people is a disease or an addiction, for some it might be a wrong decision/choice, a troubled child or marriage. Whatever it is, you need to trust that God in you will forever be the Hope of Glory! The situation you are bowing to is not built to withstand the Power that is at work within you. But first you must, like David, Joshua and Caleb, know that He is able to deliver to you victory, and your enemies are right where they are meant to be, under your feet!
We are not just meant to shine where others are shinning, of what use is our light there? Our light shines the brightest in the dark and it is more effective when we shine it into and in the dark! So if you are in a challenging situation today, don’t look at how overwhelming the situation is but how amazing the Glorious presence of God is. However, like David, if you feel burnt-out or swept under, humble yourself and ask for Mercy and a fresh fire, God is no more than a breathe away.
Be the light, shine your light! Be a vessel, let the Light of God shine through you! And if you ever find yourself shinning alone, shine with courage and confidence in Christ and to the Glory of God!
Bible resources:
Matt. 4:16
…the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
1Pet. 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
