It's during our darkest hour that we need the most grace.
It's during our darkest hour that we are given the most grace.
It's out of our darkest hour that the greatest growth, the greatest fruit comes forth.
I was reminded of this truth just this morning.
Isn't it usually during our darkest times when we feel the furthest from the Lord?
Isn't it usually during our darkest times that we feel most like a failure?
Isn't it usually during our darkest times that we feel so far removed from God's presence?
Isn't it usually during our darkest times that we doubt His love the most?
Isn't it usually during our darkest times that we are tempted to believe the lies?
Yet, the Lord continues to remind me that those darkest times are times, indeed, when He does His greatest work in and through us.
Hard to believe, isn't it?
Yet, this morning I woke up to proof of that.
Yesterday, a friend came over for lunch. She brought me a daffodil. That's right, a daffodil, right in the dead of winter. She joked about it not having any buds or flowers on it. There it was just 3-4 green shoots sticking up out of the dirt (right now, I wish I had taken a picture of it). When she left, I looked around, trying to figure out the best window to put it in so it would get optimum light to bring forth the flowers. As I placed it on the stand, I thought, even though there are no flowers, it's a sign of hope - spring will return!
That was about 4pm yesterday afternoon. Within an hour, I had pulled the shade in that window.
This morning, not even 24 hours later, when I got up, this is what I found!
Overnight, this happened!
In the dark of night, this happened!
In the dead of night, this happened!
There was no sun shining!
There was no light at all!
It was in the darkest dead of night, when there seemed to be no hope, no light, no life, that these buds burst forth!
Botanically, I don't understand that. I'm sure there is some explanation that involves the nutrients in the soil, the warmth of the house, etc, but it's not the botanical explanation I'm looking for.
It's the spiritual application that sprung alive in my heart.
God is always, always at work in my heart.
God's grace is always, always being poured out to me.
When I least feel it.
When I least deserve it.
When I least look for it.
It's is always there!
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning,
New every morning.
Great is thy faithfulness, O God!
Great is thy faithfulness!
He is faithful, especially in the darkest times, darkest seasons of our lives. He is doing a work so deep that it doesn't need the light of day to be accomplished.
He dwells in the darkness with us.
Psalm 139 says this:
"Where shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall your hand lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hides not from thee; but the night shines as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."
His grace covers us - always!
In your darkness, be assured, He is right there with you, extending His grace, keeping you by His grace, covering you with His grace. His grace is sufficient for you - right now!
And when He sees fit to deliver you from the darkness, you will emerge with "buds & blossoms" all over you - tangible, fruitful signs of His everlasting, unconditional love and grace!
Be encouraged in His love and grace for you today!!
such an encouraging and uplifting post !
ReplyDeleteGod is powerfully at work for your good, for sure. Oh How he Loves YOU~!
God bless you with brighter days to come as he shines His light brightly even during the night hours, to clear the way ahead for you and bring you through to a place of great Joy.
He redeems even our darkest hours, and turns our mourning into dancing.
Yes, He does redeem! Oh, how I love that fact. Nothing, nothing is ever wasted in God's economy. He redeems all! May He bless you today!
ReplyDeleteJust now seeing this comment. Didn't know when I wrote this that some of my darkest days were still ahead, but God was, is and will continue to be faithful. You are so right - NOTHING is ever wasted in God's economy! Blessings to you!
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