Finding Hope and Grace in Dark Days
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we explored the theme of enduring dark days, a reality that every believer will face at some point in their lives. We began with some light-hearted anecdotes to remind us of our shared humanity and the importance of community. Then, we transitioned into the heart of our message, focusing on Psalm 88, one of the few Psalms that ends in darkness without a note of hope. This Psalm serves as a poignant reminder that even the most faithful among us can experience prolonged periods of despair and uncertainty.
We discussed how dark days can manifest in various forms—whether it's a student struggling to fit into a new school, someone dealing with the aftermath of a divorce, or facing a severe health crisis. These moments of darkness are not just fleeting; they can last a long time and test our faith deeply. Yet, it's in these dark times that we often learn the most about God's grace. The Psalmist's raw and honest cries to God, even when they seem disrespectful or blasphemous, show us that God understands our desperation and pain.
We also touched on the concept of transactional relationships with God, as illustrated in the book of Job. Are we serving God for what He can give us, or are we committed to Him regardless of our circumstances? This is a crucial question that dark days force us to confront. It's in these moments of profound struggle that we have the opportunity to grow into people of greatness for the cause of Christ. By continuing to pray, worship, and stay connected to God, even when it feels like He is absent, we develop endurance, stability, and a deeper relationship with Him.
As we concluded, we were reminded that God's power and mercy transcend even the darkest of days. Our trials and tribulations are not permanent, and they serve a purpose in shaping us into the likeness of Christ. Let us continue to trust in Him, even when we don't understand, and allow His grace to carry us through.
### Key Takeaways
1. Darkness Can Last a Long Time for Believers: It's important to recognize that dark days are not just fleeting moments but can extend over long periods. This prolonged darkness tests our faith and endurance, reminding us that even the most faithful can experience deep despair. Understanding this helps us set realistic expectations and prepares us to handle these challenging times with grace. [29:30]
2. God's Grace is Most Evident in Dark Times: There is no better place to learn about God's grace than in the midst of our darkest days. The raw and honest prayers of the Psalmist in Psalm 88 show us that God understands our desperation and pain. Even when our prayers seem disrespectful or blasphemous, God knows the cries of our hearts and meets us with His grace. [49:22]
3. Transactional Relationships with God: Dark days force us to confront whether we are serving God for what He can give us or if we are committed to Him regardless of our circumstances. This is a crucial question that tests the depth of our faith and our relationship with God. Are we willing to serve Him even when we don't receive immediate blessings? [56:19]
4. Endurance and Stability Through Darkness: Walking through dark times provides fertile ground for developing endurance and stability in our faith. By continuing to pray, worship, and stay connected to God, even when it feels like He is absent, we grow stronger and more resilient. This endurance shapes us into people of greatness for the cause of Christ. [01:03:33]
5. God's Power and Mercy Transcend Darkness: Our trials and tribulations are not permanent, and they serve a purpose in shaping us into the likeness of Christ. God's power and mercy transcend even the darkest of days, offering us hope and strength to carry on. Let us continue to trust in Him, even when we don't understand, and allow His grace to carry us through. [01:14:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:30] - Importance of the Pastor
[31:01] - Introduction to Psalm 88
[32:48] - Defining Dark Days
[34:34] - Unique Nature of Psalm 88
[36:25] - The Psalmist's Despair
[37:51] - Reading Psalm 88
[39:41] - Three Observations on Darkness
[41:15] - Darkness Can Last a Long Time
[43:00] - Realism of the Bible
[44:40] - Expectations in Dark Days
[46:21] - False Narratives About Faith
[47:48] - God's Shaping Through Hardships
[49:22] - Learning About God's Grace
[50:53] - The Psalmist's Interrogation of God
[52:39] - Personal Reflections on Darkness
[54:33] - Vows Made in Desperation
[56:19] - Walking Through Darkness
[58:08] - Transactional Relationships with God
[59:52] - The Danger of Staying in Receivership
[01:01:20] - Job's Example
[01:03:33] - Continuing to Pray in Darkness
[01:05:00] - Developing Endurance and Stability
[01:07:07] - Sam's Transformation in "The Lord of the Rings"
[01:09:23] - The Psalmist's Misunderstanding
[01:11:54] - Prayer and Reflection
[01:14:04] - God's Power and Mercy
[01:16:14] - Trusting God in Dark Times
[01:18:04] - Responding to God's Call
[01:20:01] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 88:1-2, 8-18
- John 16:33
### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the specific struggles and emotions expressed by the Psalmist in Psalm 88? ([37:51])
2. How does the Psalmist describe his relationship with God during his dark times? ([37:51])
3. What does Jesus say about trouble in this world in John 16:33?
4. How does the sermon describe the duration and nature of dark days for believers? ([39:41])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might the Psalmist's prayers in Psalm 88 seem disrespectful or blasphemous, and what does this reveal about his relationship with God? ([50:53])
2. How does the concept of transactional relationships with God challenge our understanding of faith and commitment? ([56:19])
3. In what ways can enduring dark times lead to a deeper understanding of God's grace? ([49:22])
4. How does continuing to pray and worship during dark times develop endurance and stability in our faith? ([01:03:33])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a prolonged period of darkness. How did it affect your faith and relationship with God? ([39:41])
2. The Psalmist in Psalm 88 expresses raw and honest emotions to God. How comfortable are you with being completely honest in your prayers, even when it feels disrespectful? ([50:53])
3. Have you ever found yourself in a transactional relationship with God, serving Him primarily for what He can give you? How can you shift towards a more unconditional commitment? ([56:19])
4. What practical steps can you take to continue praying and worshiping God, even when it feels like He is absent? ([01:03:33])
5. Jesus said in John 16:33 that we will have trouble in this world but to take heart because He has overcome the world. How can this promise provide comfort and strength during your dark days?
6. Think about a current or past trial. How can you see God's grace at work in that situation, even if it was not immediately apparent? ([49:22])
7. How can you support someone in your community who is currently going through a dark time, based on the lessons from Psalm 88 and the sermon? ([01:14:04])
Devotional
### Day 1: Darkness Can Last a Long Time for Believers
Description: Dark days are not just fleeting moments but can extend over long periods, testing our faith and endurance. These prolonged periods of darkness remind us that even the most faithful can experience deep despair. Understanding this helps us set realistic expectations and prepares us to handle these challenging times with grace. The Psalmist in Psalm 88 exemplifies this prolonged struggle, showing us that it is normal to feel overwhelmed and lost. By acknowledging that darkness can last a long time, we can better prepare ourselves to seek God's presence and support during these difficult seasons. [29:30]
Bible Passage: "For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you experienced prolonged darkness. How did it affect your faith, and what steps can you take today to prepare yourself spiritually for future dark days?
### Day 2: God's Grace is Most Evident in Dark Times
Description: There is no better place to learn about God's grace than in the midst of our darkest days. The raw and honest prayers of the Psalmist in Psalm 88 show us that God understands our desperation and pain. Even when our prayers seem disrespectful or blasphemous, God knows the cries of our hearts and meets us with His grace. This understanding can transform our perspective on suffering, helping us see it as an opportunity to experience God's grace more profoundly. In our darkest moments, we can find solace in knowing that God's grace is sufficient and ever-present. [49:22]
Bible Passage: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent dark time in your life. How did you experience God's grace during that period, and how can you remind yourself of His grace in future struggles?
### Day 3: Transactional Relationships with God
Description: Dark days force us to confront whether we are serving God for what He can give us or if we are committed to Him regardless of our circumstances. This is a crucial question that tests the depth of our faith and our relationship with God. Are we willing to serve Him even when we don't receive immediate blessings? The story of Job illustrates this concept vividly, as Job remained faithful to God despite losing everything. This challenges us to examine our motives and ensure that our relationship with God is based on genuine love and commitment, not on what we can gain from Him. [56:19]
Bible Passage: "Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him." (Job 13:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your relationship with God. Are there areas where you find yourself expecting something in return for your faithfulness? How can you shift your focus to serve God out of genuine love and commitment?
### Day 4: Endurance and Stability Through Darkness
Description: Walking through dark times provides fertile ground for developing endurance and stability in our faith. By continuing to pray, worship, and stay connected to God, even when it feels like He is absent, we grow stronger and more resilient. This endurance shapes us into people of greatness for the cause of Christ. The process of enduring through darkness refines our character and deepens our relationship with God, making us more effective witnesses for His kingdom. Embracing this journey can transform our perspective on suffering, seeing it as a means to grow closer to God and become more like Christ. [01:03:33]
Bible Passage: "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." (James 1:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a current or past trial you are facing. How can you use this experience to develop greater endurance and stability in your faith? What practical steps can you take to stay connected to God during this time?
### Day 5: God's Power and Mercy Transcend Darkness
Description: Our trials and tribulations are not permanent, and they serve a purpose in shaping us into the likeness of Christ. God's power and mercy transcend even the darkest of days, offering us hope and strength to carry on. Let us continue to trust in Him, even when we don't understand, and allow His grace to carry us through. This perspective helps us see our suffering as temporary and purposeful, knowing that God is using it to mold us into His image. By trusting in God's power and mercy, we can find hope and strength to endure any challenge that comes our way. [01:14:04]
Bible Passage: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God." (Romans 8:18-19, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a current struggle you are facing. How can you remind yourself of God's power and mercy in this situation? What steps can you take to trust Him more fully, even when you don't understand His plan?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "All of us are either coming out of dark days, we're in dark days, or we're headed toward dark days. Every one of us. We're all going to experience dark days. What is a dark day? A dark day is when a student says, hey, I'm in week four of the new school year and I had to change schools. And no one at my new school likes me." [32:48] (28 seconds)
2. "One thing you and I have got to understand is there are those times in some of our lives that darkness will last a long time. What would be, again, the East Texas way, a good while. There are going to be some of us that are darkness for a long time, a good while of time." [39:41] (20 seconds)
3. "There is no better place to learn about God's grace than in dark times. Can I hear an amen to that? I mean, there is no better, trust me, there's no better place to learn about God's grace than in dark times." [49:22] (13 seconds)
4. "You and I can do just about everything right as believers. I mean, and we can still suffer and be walking through a dark place. Now, if you don't hear anything else this morning, I'm going to push all my chips in for this statement. Our expectations are such a big part of how we're going to handle dark days." [44:40] (60 seconds)
5. "Walking through darkness provides believers the most fertile ground to become people or believers or a person of greatness. Now, before we say, hey, we're not supposed to be clamoring after greatness, just hold your breath, slow down, get off the horse, and watch what we're about to show you." [54:33] (21 seconds)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The New Testament church needs to be building leaders. And so we are going to spend a lot of time in that particular category. I'm excited because some of my favorite characters, I know Jeremy Higginbotham is here on the front. And he sent me a text the other day. He said, man, I, and he used the East Texas vernacular. And I'm sharing this without his permission." [31:01] (23 seconds)
2. "Let me just share with you before we read this 88th Psalm, something somewhat unique for you that are not real, well, not as studied, if you will, from the Psalter, from the Psalms, if you will, almost invariably when people cry out to the Lord in the book of Psalms, when there's a cry, a plea, a fervor toward the Lord, you may see these, what we call these waves of emotion." [34:34] (32 seconds)
3. "I just remind you that dark days and hardships that we face, the Bible's quite clear to this. God is what? He's conforming, he's shaping us into his very likeness. People ask all the time, Pastor, how long is this going to last? When is this going to pass? Well, hey, the Bible also teaches us that often rebellion lengthens our darkness." [47:48] (23 seconds)
4. "One of the great things, believe it or not, about dark days is we learn so much there about God's immense grace. Jot down this third element and we'll be done. Walking through darkness provides believers the most fertile ground to become people or believers or a person of greatness." [54:33] (29 seconds)
5. "I would submit to you that because the psalmist continued to talk and speak to our God, even though it was out of hurt and desperation and pain, even though if it was misaligned, he was speaking to him. And I just wonder, when you and I are in the midst of darkness and we don't even know, we even suspect God's not there and we hold on in a way, I just wonder at that moment if Satan is defeated." [01:03:33] (27 seconds)
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