Even in Darkness We are Not Forsaken
Are you waiting for a prayer to be answered? Are you wondering how long you’ll experience the difficult season you’re in? I wonder if you remember a few weeks ago when Adam reminded us how long the Israelites waited for their prayers to be answered? Specifically, how long Israel waited between their rescue from Egypt and their rest in the Promised Land. It was a whopping four hundred and eighty years! Over that time God’s faithfulness was evident again and again. His faithfulness remains the same towards us; praise God!
Christmas is just around the corner. I know many are excited for this special time of the year. For some though, this can be a particularly difficult season. I hope this line from the song ‘Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me’ will remind and encourage you that God is faithful still. Read this slowly: ‘The night is dark, but we are not forsaken. For by my side the Saviour he will stay’.
I have a group of friends who regularly text one another prayer requests and praise points. One friend has gone through some tumultuous times this year. She had moments where she was angry, despondent and questioned why so many difficult things were going on. We prayed for her, often. We saw how God, in His perfect timing, drew out good things from the horrible situation. This week she sent a message that included these words:
“Sometimes we are given ridiculous curve balls in life, and we are left crying out, wondering if we are going to get through this. God knows that these things are going to happen, and doesn’t promise an easy life. He wants us to turn to Him. To cry out to Him instead of letting the enemy control our thoughts, to pray to Him and bring our worries to Him.
This is not easy to do. It’s not easy when you lose a loved one, when an undesirable diagnosis comes your way while waiting for surgery… but when you can, go to Him. Scream out to Him. Cry out. He hears you.
And even though through all this, you may still be suffering, there is hope. God has you in His arms. I can’t count the number of times I’ve screamed into my Dad’s shoulder this year, but God holds me tighter. And through all of my heartache this year, I have seen miracles. You too can see miracles, but in His time. I pray that regardless of what is sent your way, you know that God has put you in a position of purpose. Trust that. Have faith.”
This message moved me deeply. Especially knowing what has happened and knowing that the only thing that remained steadfast was our Saviour. He cares, friends. We read in Deuteronomy 7:9, ‘Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments’. Hebrews 10:23 says, ‘Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful’.
The song I quoted earlier points us to the hope we have in Jesus. I’ve personally reflected on and prayed the song many times. I encourage you to do the same, whether in a time of rejoicing or a difficult season, may these words point you to the hope we have in Jesus.
Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me by City Alight
Verse1:
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace
Chorus:
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing, “All is mine”
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Verse 2:
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed
Verse 3:
No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave
Verse 4:
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
You can listen to the song by using this link: Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me (Acoustic Release) – YouTube
In Grace,
Emma
