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"I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness" (John 12:46, ESV).

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
 

Can you see in the dark? I can! Sort of. This was especially true when I was a little boy. From time to time I got to sleep in the same room with my big sister. This was a real treat for me because I loved my Sis, and I was terrified of the dark. I usually slept in a room that was at the opposite end of the house from everyone else. It was spooky.

Even when I slept in the room with my Sis, I was still sure there were monsters in the dark. My Sis would try to convince me otherwise. She'd turn on the light and tell me to look all around the room. Did I see any monsters? No. “There's nothing in the dark that you can't see when the light is on,” she'd explain. I was convinced otherwise since I could see stuff in the dark -- all of which were products of my imagination.

Can you trust God in the dark? You know, the darkness of doubt, failure, pain, loss, confusion, accusation, want, or any of a thousand emotions, situations, and experiences that eclipse the joy of the Lord? When you, like David, you are in a cave of despondency? Or like Joseph and in a pit of despair? Or like Job in an ash heap of questioning and desolation?

Many years ago I was told by someone who was quoting someone else, "Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light." In Colossians 1:13, Paul tells us bluntly, " He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son...."

When all we see are the dark clouds with no silver linings, and when we feel soul-soaked in despair, the bright evergreen truth is that God can be trusted, that His truth stands no matter what. As James states, " Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change"( James 1:17).

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