Sunday November 15, 2020
“Night” of the Realm
Night is not just a time at the end of a day. It can be a very dark and lonely place in our lives. Night is not necessarily just the physical absence of sunlight, but the very presence of darkness in our souls. But the assurance that God would be in our nighttimes is an amazingly powerful promise of hope and peace.
In Psalm 42, a song of trust, David seeks God’s help in a time of trouble and distress…a “night” time in his life. David expresses his trust in the Lord, who gives him peace, joy, and security. Verse 8 closes the psalm like the fading notes of a lullaby and gives David the assurance that even in the darkness of night, God is always there. (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of darkness)
As believers, we know that there will always be light in the midst of our darkness…we just mat y not know how that light will manifest itself. If we only look for the light of complete deliverance, we may miss the beauty of His hand in small and loving ways. Remember, even the smallest light can illuminate darkness.
So just what does the bible say to us about God being in the midst of our “night” times? He is there in the still small voice that comes to us at night (1 Sam.15:16). In that calming voice, He sings songs of deliverance around us.
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me—A prayer to the God of my life. (Ps.42:8)
But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night. (Job 35:10)
God’s Word is powerful…sharper than any two-edged sword. It is the sword of the Spirit Himself that we have at our right side. But that very same Word watches over us as we sleep.
Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. (Pro.6:21-22)
He promises to give blessings to His beloved even as they slumber (Ps.127:2), and His presence surrounds us that we may lie down in peace (Ps.4:8). And yet greater still is the hopeful anticipation of the time where there will be no more night and no more darkness! (Rev.22:5)
Our lives should not mirror those who have no hope and are trapped in the darkness. Rather, we are to live as citizens of the kingdom to which we belong, the kingdom of light for which the Lord is preparing us by His Holy Spirit.
Do you remember how dark the world was when Jesus was born in Bethlehem? Between the immoral Romans, wicked Herod and arrogant religious leaders, it wasn’t a place most of us would have chosen to enter. Yet, Jesus came into that world voluntarily. It was a wicked world that received the Baby in Bethlehem. Christmas means that God was willing to come into a dark place and bring the light of salvation.
Whatever “night” might be in your life right now, know that God is in the nighttime with you. But even more, the day is about to dawn in all its brightness and glory, we cannot stay in the dark.
For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Cor.4:6).
Isn’t it wonderful to know that He is the song of the night and the Bright and Morning Star? (Rev.22:16) In His realm, there is no night so dark that His Light cannot illumine. Amen!! Hear this word from the psalmist:
For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. (Ps.18:28)
