Periods of Darkness in the Christian Life

The point: Recognize that periods of darkness are a common experience for all true children of God.

A quote from another servant of God, stating that God purifies believers through fire and dross, not by keeping them untouched, illustrating that periods of darkness are part of God's refining process.

For as one of God's dear servants said, God isn't going to take us to heaven all wrapped up in cellar vein like a Christmas package. He's going to drag us through the fire and purify us, burn out the dross. And one of the peculiar things that God uses in the lives of His children is to purify us. He's going to purify us. He's going to purify us. He's going to purify us.

3:02 - 3:21 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The counsel is to trust in God's revealed character (His names) and to 'stay upon' Him, meaning to lean and rest the weight of one's soul on Him, even when His face is hidden…

The analogy of the sun still being in the sky on a rainy day, even though clouds obscure its light, illustrates that God's character and presence remain unchanged even when believers experience spiritual darkness.

Well, you and I were surprised when we first learned as children that on a rainy day the sun hadn't gone anywhere. It was just as much up there in the heavens burning as on the brightest sunny day. What a revelation that was to us when we learned that. It was kind of hard for us to believe that, wasn't it?

30:42 - 30:59 Read in full sermon

Driving home: But when there's nothing but darkness and nothing but that big black question mark in the midst of that thing to call Him my God and to stay upon Him and to wait upon Him until He breaks in upon my soul, this is the test…

The example of Jesus on the cross, experiencing three hours of darkness and the Father's wrath, yet crying 'My God,' demonstrates the ultimate act of faith in staying upon God when all comfort is withdrawn.

Have you ever thought of the tremendous exercise of faith in those last words that He uttered upon the cross? For three whole hours, every sensibility of the comfort and presence and support of the Father was withdrawn and in its place, there was the positive infliction of the consciousness of the wrath of God.

34:42 - 35:04 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not get up from your knees and make your own light and plans when impatient for God's guidance or countenance.

The metaphor of lighting firebrands and walking in their light illustrates people who, impatient for God's light, create their own solutions or guidance, leading to sorrow.

What's the picture here? Here's the picture of people they've got no light from God and they get impatient so they go out to make their own light. That's the picture. So they light up some firebrands and they walk in the light of those firebrands and they say, oh, we can see our way around well now.

38:38 - 38:54 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not absolve yourself from sin by merely grabbing a text; seek the Lord until He, through the Holy Ghost, whispers peace to your broken heart.

Comparing the 'poor, deluded man' who seeks absolution from a priest to those who 'absolve themselves' by snatching a text, highlighting the subtlety and danger of self-forgiveness without a genuine encounter with God.

We say horrors when a man goes into a little black box or into a little cubicle and there's a veil and he tells his sins to another man who has taken upon himself the name of priest. And when the confession is over, the priest says, it is to him that I absolve you of your sins. Your sins are remitted. And he goes out feeling, well, that's done and that's over with.

40:02 - 40:29 Read in full sermon

The point: Young people, do not run ahead of God in finding your life's work or a spouse; do not kindle your own light and get your own guidance.

A story about young people who run ahead of God in seeking a spouse, kindling their own light and guidance, only to 'lie down in sorrow,' emphasizing the importance of waiting on God for direction in life decisions.

When it comes to finding out your life, work, who's going to be your wife, some of you can't think of anything worse right now than think about getting married.

43:36 - 43:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not create your own light in physical problems by pronouncing yourself healed; ask God for grace to bear it, continue to seek Him, and wait for His genuine touch.

Contrasting the Christian Science practice of pronouncing oneself healed despite physical symptoms with genuine divine healing, where God's touch is real and effective, warning against creating one's own light in physical trials.

I have no use for this kind of a concept of divine healing that says you pronounce yourself healed and go out still with the crippled leg and with the deep pain and say it's done, it's done, it's done, it's done. That's Christian science. It's not divine healing. Beloved, whenever our Lord touched a man, it was done.

44:57 - 45:15 Read in full sermon