Finding Peace Through Trust in Darkness
Summary
In this Advent season, we reflect on the theme of peace, particularly in the context of waiting in darkness. The message is simple yet profound: trust God. This is a challenging task, especially when the darkness is prolonged and deep. We often find ourselves in situations where waiting becomes unbearable, whether it's waiting for personal resolutions or global peace. The story of my granddaughter Kennedy, who expressed her dislike for waiting, humorously captures a sentiment we all share. Waiting is hard, especially when it involves longing for peace and answers to prayers.
The narrative of Jesus' birth offers us a powerful illustration of waiting in darkness. We see contrasting images of kingship: the oppressive rule of Herod and the humble birth of Jesus, the true King. Jesus, born into a world of darkness, represents God's answer to our struggles. His arrival is a testament to our worth and a reminder that we are not forgotten. In our darkest moments, we are called to remember that God is with us, even when it feels like He is absent.
Darkness manifests in various forms, from social oppression to personal struggles with illness, mental health, and broken relationships. These experiences can lead to despair and a sense of being forgotten. Yet, the message of Christmas is that God draws near to us in our suffering. The arrival of Jesus is a concrete proof of our worth and God's unwavering presence.
In the midst of darkness, we are encouraged to ask, "What are you doing, God?" This question assumes faith and trust in God's presence and purposes, even when they are not visible. It is a call to surrender our need for control and certainty, recognizing that what we see and feel is not the entirety of reality. We are reminded that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and His faithfulness endures.
The light of Jesus, though small, is more trustworthy than the surrounding darkness. We are invited to keep our eyes on this light and to remind others of it. Waiting in darkness with openness and trust is a radical act of faith, surrendering control and allowing God to define our lives. It is living with the conviction that God molds us in love and moves us away from fear. The kingdom of heaven is unfolding, and we are part of it, even when our circumstances suggest otherwise.
Key Takeaways:
1. Trusting God in Darkness: In times of deep darkness, trusting God is both simple and profoundly challenging. It requires us to hold onto faith when answers are delayed and peace seems distant. Trusting God means believing that He is present and working, even when we cannot see it. [01:01]
2. The Worth of Our Souls: The arrival of Jesus is a testament to our worth. Despite feeling forgotten or unworthy, God's response is to draw near, affirming our value and belovedness. This truth anchors us in the midst of adversity. [17:04]
3. Surrendering Control: True peace comes from surrendering our need for control and certainty. We must recognize that our perceptions and feelings are not the full reality. God's higher ways and thoughts guide us beyond our limited understanding. [24:52]
4. The Light in the Darkness: The light of Jesus is more reliable than the darkness we experience. Keeping our focus on this light, and reminding others of it, helps us navigate through despair and find hope. [30:35]
5. Radical Faith in Waiting: Waiting in darkness with openness and trust is a radical act of faith. It involves surrendering our identity and future to God, believing that He is working beyond our imagination. This posture allows us to be present to the unfolding of His kingdom. [32:39]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:01] - The Challenge of Waiting
- [03:06] - The Hardest Message
- [04:12] - Three Pictures of Kingship
- [06:32] - The Journey to Bethlehem
- [08:42] - Light in Deep Darkness
- [10:39] - Forms of Darkness
- [13:10] - The Struggle with Addictions
- [15:26] - Asking the Right Questions
- [17:04] - The Worth of Our Souls
- [19:47] - Remembering God's Faithfulness
- [22:10] - The Nativity Scene
- [24:52] - Surrendering Control
- [28:47] - The Spiritual Perspective
- [32:39] - Radical Faith in Waiting
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Waiting in Darkness
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 9:2 - "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."
2. Isaiah 49:8-9 - "This is what the Lord says: 'In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’"
3. Lamentations 3:21-23 - "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Observation Questions:
1. What are the different forms of darkness mentioned in the sermon, and how do they manifest in our lives? [10:39]
2. How does the story of Jesus' birth contrast with the rule of King Herod, and what does this tell us about God's kingdom? [04:12]
3. What is the significance of the question, "What are you doing, God?" in the context of waiting in darkness? [15:26]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus' light in our lives amidst darkness? [30:35]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the arrival of Jesus affirm the worth of our souls, especially when we feel forgotten or unworthy? [17:04]
2. In what ways does surrendering control and certainty lead to true peace, according to the sermon? [24:52]
3. How can the light of Jesus be more trustworthy than the darkness we experience, and what does this mean for our daily lives? [30:35]
4. What does it mean to have radical faith in waiting, and how does this posture affect our relationship with God? [32:39]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were in a period of waiting. How did you experience God's presence or absence during that time? [01:01]
2. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of your worth in God's eyes, especially during challenging times? [17:04]
3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to surrender control. What would it look like to trust God more in that area? [24:52]
4. How can you keep your focus on the light of Jesus when surrounded by darkness? What reminders or practices could help you? [30:35]
5. Consider a situation where you are waiting for answers or peace. How can you practice radical faith and openness in this waiting period? [32:39]
6. Think of someone in your life who is experiencing darkness. How can you be a source of light and hope for them this week? [30:35]
7. What is one specific way you can surrender your identity to God, allowing Him to define your life and future? [32:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God in the Midst of Darkness
In times of deep darkness, trusting God becomes a profound challenge. It requires holding onto faith when answers are delayed and peace seems distant. Trusting God means believing that He is present and working, even when we cannot see it. This trust is not passive but an active engagement with the reality of God's presence, even when it feels like He is absent. The story of Jesus' birth, set against the oppressive rule of Herod, reminds us that God's light shines brightest in the darkest moments. We are called to trust that God is with us, working in ways beyond our understanding. [01:01]
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: Think of a situation in your life where you feel overwhelmed by darkness. How can you actively choose to trust God in this situation today?
Day 2: Recognizing Our Worth Through Jesus
The arrival of Jesus is a testament to our worth. Despite feeling forgotten or unworthy, God's response is to draw near, affirming our value and belovedness. This truth anchors us in the midst of adversity, reminding us that we are not alone. Jesus' humble birth in a world of darkness is a powerful declaration of our worth and God's unwavering presence. In our struggles, we are invited to remember that we are cherished and valued by God, who draws near to us in our suffering. [17:04]
Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or forgotten. How does the truth of your worth in Christ change your perspective on that experience?
Day 3: Surrendering Control for True Peace
True peace comes from surrendering our need for control and certainty. We must recognize that our perceptions and feelings are not the full reality. God's higher ways and thoughts guide us beyond our limited understanding. This surrender is not about giving up but about trusting in God's greater plan and purpose for our lives. It involves letting go of our need to control outcomes and trusting that God is working all things for our good. [24:52]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle to surrender control. What steps can you take today to trust God more fully in this area?
Day 4: Focusing on the Light of Jesus
The light of Jesus is more reliable than the darkness we experience. Keeping our focus on this light, and reminding others of it, helps us navigate through despair and find hope. In the midst of darkness, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on Jesus, the true light that guides us. This focus is not just for our benefit but also for those around us, as we become beacons of hope and encouragement to others. [30:35]
John 1:5 (ESV): "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to be reminded of the light of Jesus today? How can you be a source of encouragement and hope to them?
Day 5: Embracing Radical Faith in Waiting
Waiting in darkness with openness and trust is a radical act of faith. It involves surrendering our identity and future to God, believing that He is working beyond our imagination. This posture allows us to be present to the unfolding of His kingdom, even when our circumstances suggest otherwise. Radical faith is about living with the conviction that God molds us in love and moves us away from fear. [32:39]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are waiting for God to act? How can you embrace a posture of radical faith and trust in His timing today?
Quotes
"And the message this morning is Waiting in Darkness. It's a heavy message. It's a hard message. It's actually a remarkably simple message. Here it is. When you're in darkness, longing for light and longing for peace, trust God. There it is. Trust God." [00:00:26] (26 seconds)
"When we are in deep darkness, what can we say? It wasn't trite or cliche or reminding people of things that they already know in their heads, but that don't land in your heart, that actually don't make a difference. So with the Lord's help this morning, my prayer is that I can shine some light on what it's like to wait in the darkness and what we actually can do to find peace, to find freedom." [00:03:18] (30 seconds)
"So this isn't a shock to hear at Christmastime. Somehow, the answer to darkness and the way to peace and light, somehow the answer is Jesus, the child who is born. God's answer to our problem, our darkness, is to come as a baby." [00:08:42] (19 seconds)
"Darkness comes in many different forms. It comes in the form of darkness. It comes in the form of darkness. It comes in the form of darkness. It comes in the form of social oppression. So that's black people suffering for generations in the southern United States. That's people in our culture suffering because they're people of color, because they're old, because they're women, because they're poor." [00:09:54] (26 seconds)
"Of course, illness is not just physical. It can be mental. Most of us in the room here are either. We're battling with depression or anxiety or are caring for someone who has that as a reality in their life. And that can lead to deep despair. Financial stress, broken relationships. It doesn't actually have to be an act of conflict or a break. A strained relationship often comes about because someone makes a decision that's hard for us to accept. They choose a path. That is not what we wanted." [00:11:29] (42 seconds)
"I'm convinced that to be human is to be addicted, to seek comfort in places where real comfort cannot actually be found. I'm talking about the behaviors that we promised ourselves we would not do again, and yet here we are again. Whether it's alcohol, online gambling, online shopping, online pornography, coffee, sweets, overeating, over -shopping, overworking, over -exercising." [00:13:10] (34 seconds)
"But if you want a good question, a great question for suffering and darkness and adversity, it's this one. What are you doing, God? What are you doing? It's the question of faith. It's the question that assumes that he's there. It's the question that assumes that he's listening and will answer. It's the question that assumes that good purposes are being worked out even though I can't see them. Do you see that?" [00:15:06] (28 seconds)
"And the effect of that coming to be with us is that the soul, your soul, my soul, knows its worth. I am precious. I am beloved. Oh, I am. I am very broken. I am very. fallen. Really quite unworthy, but my soul knows it's worth because you have come to be with me. Do you see it?" [00:18:28] (25 seconds)
"It is the choosing to remember God's faithfulness, to lift your eyes from the circumstances, to lift your heart from your own experience, your own emotions. legitimate as it is, but to lift and remember his faithfulness. When in darkness and you're seeking peace, trust God." [00:20:22] (22 seconds)
"If you are in a dark place of adversity and suffering, and it is hard to have hope and peace, it is probably because you are at the center of God's plans unfolding around you. The kingdom is coming, and this is what it feels like." [00:24:32] (20 seconds)
"To wait in the dark with openness and trust, second point, is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life. I don't like either of those. I want to have control over my future, and I want to define my life. I want to define my life by who I am and what I can do, the stuff I own, the stuff I've already... And God says, yeah, that's not going to work." [00:32:20] (26 seconds)
"There is indeed peace for those who believe. There is peace for those who believe. those who believe. Those who are reminded of God's provision in the past that he is faithful. People who can remember God's faithfulness, who will look beyond circumstances to God's character, they will have peace." [00:29:49] (18 seconds)
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