Finding God’s Light in Our Darkest Moments
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that God is always at work, even in the darkest moments of our lives. We often feel abandoned or distant from God when we face trials and tribulations, but scripture assures us that God is present and active, even when we cannot see or feel Him. Using the metaphor of an artist painting in the dark, we learned that God is crafting a masterpiece in our lives, even when we are unaware of His presence.
Psalm 139:7-12 reminds us that there is no place we can go where God is not with us. Whether we are in the heights of joy or the depths of despair, God's hand is guiding and holding us. This truth is echoed in the lives of biblical figures like Joseph, Job, Moses, Hannah, Elijah, David, Peter, Paul, and John, who all experienced profound darkness but emerged stronger and more faithful.
We also discussed the concept of "tipping points" in our spiritual journey, those critical moments of decision and transformation that often occur in the darkest times. These moments are not just about survival but about profound spiritual growth and preparation for greater things. The dark places are where God does some of His most significant work, shaping us into the people He has called us to be.
The sermon concluded with a call to trust God in our dark places, to invite Him into the living room of our souls, and to believe that He is working all things together for our good. We were encouraged to hold on to the truth that our current struggles are temporary and that God is preparing us for a brighter future.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Presence in Darkness: Psalm 139 assures us that God is with us in every situation, even in the darkest moments. We may feel abandoned, but God is actively working in our lives, crafting a masterpiece even when we cannot see or feel Him. This truth should give us comfort and hope in our darkest times. [05:14]
2. Biblical Examples of Darkness: The lives of Joseph, Job, Moses, Hannah, Elijah, David, Peter, Paul, and John show that great spiritual leaders often go through profound darkness. These experiences are not signs of God's absence but opportunities for significant spiritual growth and preparation for greater things. [37:40]
3. Tipping Points in Faith: Our darkest moments often serve as tipping points in our spiritual journey. These critical moments of decision and transformation are where God does some of His most significant work, shaping us into the people He has called us to be. [10:57]
4. The Necessity of the Valley: Life's greatest growth and sustenance happen in the valleys, not on the mountaintops. While we may seek constant spiritual highs, it is in the valleys that we find nourishment, growth, and the true essence of life. [18:48]
5. Trusting God in the Dark: We are called to trust God even when we cannot see His hand at work. Our current struggles are temporary, and God is preparing us for a brighter future. By inviting Him into the living room of our souls, we allow Him to work His transformative power in our lives. [40:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - The God Who Paints in the Dark
[01:47] - Imagination and the Artist
[02:35] - Painting in Complete Darkness
[03:30] - The Finished Canvas
[04:25] - Psalm 139: God's Presence Everywhere
[05:14] - God Working in the Dark
[06:27] - Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Points
[08:01] - Tipping Points in the Bible
[10:57] - The Necessity of Darkness
[12:28] - Coming Out of the Dark
[14:00] - Life is Hard, But God is Good
[15:04] - Charles Spurgeon's Struggles
[16:39] - The Grandeur of Difficulties
[18:48] - Life in the Valley
[24:06] - The Reality of Revival
[25:12] - Constant Renewal
[29:21] - The Ministry of Darkness
[32:21] - Biblical Examples of Darkness
[37:40] - Trusting God Who Paints in the Dark
[40:14] - Inviting God into the Living Room of Your Soul
[41:47] - Prayer and Encouragement in Dark Places
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 139:7-12: "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,' even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 139:7-12, what are some of the places where God’s presence is assured?
2. How does the metaphor of an artist painting in the dark illustrate God's work in our lives during difficult times? [01:47]
3. What are some examples of biblical figures who experienced profound darkness but emerged stronger and more faithful? [32:21]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of "tipping points" in our spiritual journey? [10:57]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Psalm 139:7-12 challenge the belief that God is absent during our darkest moments?
2. In what ways did the experiences of biblical figures like Joseph, Job, and Moses prepare them for greater things? [32:21]
3. What does the sermon mean by "tipping points" and how do these moments contribute to our spiritual growth? [10:57]
4. How can the concept of God painting in the dark provide comfort and hope during times of struggle? [01:47]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt abandoned by God. How does Psalm 139:7-12 reassure you of His constant presence?
2. The sermon mentioned that life's greatest growth happens in the valleys. Can you identify a "valley" in your life where you experienced significant growth? [18:48]
3. How can you invite God into the "living room of your soul" during your current struggles? What practical steps can you take to trust Him more? [40:14]
4. Think about a recent "tipping point" in your spiritual journey. How did it shape your faith and prepare you for future challenges? [10:57]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of trusting God in the dark. What are some specific ways you can practice this trust in your daily life? [40:14]
6. How can you support someone else who is currently in a dark place, based on the lessons from the sermon and Psalm 139?
7. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to see God's hand at work. How can you remind yourself that He is painting a masterpiece, even in the dark? [01:47]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Presence in Darkness
Description: Psalm 139 assures us that God is with us in every situation, even in the darkest moments. We may feel abandoned, but God is actively working in our lives, crafting a masterpiece even when we cannot see or feel Him. This truth should give us comfort and hope in our darkest times. [05:14]
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: Think of a recent dark moment in your life. How can you remind yourself of God's presence and active work during such times?
Day 2: Biblical Examples of Darkness
Description: The lives of Joseph, Job, Moses, Hannah, Elijah, David, Peter, Paul, and John show that great spiritual leaders often go through profound darkness. These experiences are not signs of God's absence but opportunities for significant spiritual growth and preparation for greater things. [37:40]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Reflect on a biblical figure who faced darkness. How did their experience shape their faith and purpose? How can their story inspire you in your current struggles?
Day 3: Tipping Points in Faith
Description: Our darkest moments often serve as tipping points in our spiritual journey. These critical moments of decision and transformation are where God does some of His most significant work, shaping us into the people He has called us to be. [10:57]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Identify a recent trial that could be a tipping point in your faith. What steps can you take to allow God to use this moment for your spiritual growth?
Day 4: The Necessity of the Valley
Description: Life's greatest growth and sustenance happen in the valleys, not on the mountaintops. While we may seek constant spiritual highs, it is in the valleys that we find nourishment, growth, and the true essence of life. [18:48]
Psalm 23:4 (ESV): "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Reflection: Think about a "valley" experience in your life. How did it contribute to your personal and spiritual growth? How can you embrace future valleys with a perspective of growth?
Day 5: Trusting God in the Dark
Description: We are called to trust God even when we cannot see His hand at work. Our current struggles are temporary, and God is preparing us for a brighter future. By inviting Him into the living room of our souls, we allow Him to work His transformative power in our lives. [40:14]
Isaiah 50:10 (ESV): "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God more fully? What practical steps can you take today to invite Him into that area and rely on His guidance?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You commission an artist to paint the best you that you can be. It's got to be captivating, compelling. Beautiful. Meaningful. Authentic. The best you you could even imagine. He's going to paint you. Your chosen artist is a little bit eccentric. Have you noted that artists usually are? He's just a little eccentric. He works only in the place where his art will hang, and he likes to work at night." [01:47] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see, God is working. He's working in the dark. He's working when you cannot see Him, when you cannot hear Him, when you don't feel Him. He was working long before you ever knew Him, before you were shaped in your mother's womb. Jeremiah assures us God knew you. He knew who you were going to be. He created you for a moment in time, and for His own purpose. God was working when you weren't aware that He even was." [05:14] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So if you're in the valley right now just say right now to God, I'm coming out. I'm coming out by faith. I'm coming out by faith. This has come to pass. It has not come to stay. You have to understand that in your life. What comes to pass has come to pass not to stay. Life moves on. You move on and you look at everything that's stacked against you. A year from now it's going to be different." [12:28] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You have no idea what God has in store for you so you cannot camp out in that present place of weariness and brokenness and I don't know what I'm going to do. You have to understand in the midst of that God is working his plan out. He's a God who works in the dark. He's a God who works in the dark. Something significant is going to happen." [12:55] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God is on the field when he is most invisible. If you feel that God is further from you than he has ever been before, if he is invisible to you right now with what you're going through, you need to know this. God is on the field right now. Put yourself in trench warfare, 1915 in France. You're looking out over, and what do you see? You see a battlefield, and you wonder in the midst of all of that horror, where is God? Holden was saying God is right there in the middle of it." [29:53] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The lonely hour of the soul is necessary. The dark place, the hard time, it's necessary. It's that place you discover God when all of your other senses bail. They all want to step away. All of your senses will deny your faith. It's in those moments you find yourself at a tipping point. You see, there's something that happens when we walk through the valley of the shadow that doesn't happen when we're just walking down the beach somewhere." [10:57] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can't live on the summit. The world's highest heights are called death zones. Once you pass about 22,500 feet climbing up Mount Everest or whatever, once you pass that, you enter into the death, they call it the death zone because your body is in the process of, you literally begin to die at that point. Because you are living with such an oxygen deprivation." [17:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You can't live on the mountaintops. You simply cannot live on the mountaintops. When I was saved at 17, my dad was a preacher and he was a very well-read man. He had a massive library and when I came to know Jesus and surrendered my life to him and said I felt the call to ministry, he began to save at that point over the next four years anywhere he could find them, duplicates of his very best books." [25:12] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God is not the source of darkness. He's light. And in him there is no darkness, the Bible says. God is not diminished or threatened by darkness. God doesn't abandon us. He doesn't abandon the night to fallen angels. He sees in the dark. He speaks in the dark. He moves in the dark. He works in the dark. God is painting in the dark. He's at work, even when you don't know it." [30:25] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Every last one of them. Out of the darkness. Out of the darkness. An ancient cardinal put it this way 10,000 difficulties do not make one doubt. Let's be people who tap into that. 10,000 difficulties do not make one doubt. The darkness needs to be so firm that even when we cannot see him we know he's painting in the dark. David said the darkness is his light to you. The darkness is his light to you." [39:41] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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