Have you ever been in the dark, where there literally appears no light exists? Susan and I traveled to Shenandoah Caverns while staying on Skyline drive to obviously enjoy the sights. Beautiful mountains were the highlight of the trip, but even with some anxiety, I forced myself to enter the cave. Traveling through it with a guide, I began to feel the oppression of dark, damp and gloomy scenery as we were nearly 300 feet below the surface. At one point, the tour guide asked if she could demonstrate the realism of what the two young boys that discovered this cave in the late 1800’s experienced by turning out the lights. Everyone agreed and I have to say, it was the longest 15 seconds of my life—until she described to us while standing in the dark and lighting a lighter with a single flame, “This is what the young boys saw.” It was then I was moved with passion! I have experienced being in the darkness from military service to being in the woods at night, but I was reminded at that moment how a single flame in total darkness made all the difference. Reflecting on it throughout the day, I came to the conclusion that what I was really anxious about wasn’t the darkness, it was the thought of being in the dark alone, without God. I have experienced a life without God at the helm, when living a life of mere pleasures, brief satisfaction of the flesh and just taking God for granted. Even though I realize I will visit the darkness from time to time, I know I will never walk in the darkness without God; that is all I need. When light is not bright enough, when the dampness, the heat or whatever ailments are present to oppress us, always remember friends, God is indeed with us. This does not mean we won’t have thoughts, feelings and emotions to surface, but what it does mean is we can rest with full assurance that God will indeed walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death, troubles and trials.
On February 10, 2015, U.S. Officials confirmed that Muslim extremist had murdered 26 yo Kayla Mueller while in captivity. The year prior, as a prisoner, they allowed her to write a letter to her family, and it begins with her assurance that she has been treated well, and is in a safe location, completely unharmed and healthy. She goes on to apologize to her family for the suffering that she has put them through because of her becoming a prisoner. She ends the letter with a most touching exposition, “I remember mom always telling me that all in all in the end that only one you really have is God. I have come to a place in experience where, in every sense of the word, I have surrendered myself to our creator which literally was no one else. Please be patient, give your pain to God. I know you would want me to remain strong. That is exactly what I am doing. Do not fear for me, continue to pray as will I. By God’s will, we will be together soon. Kayla.”
No doubt, just as for Kayla, being in the darkness of life is not a welcomed experience. It’s full of oppressions, pain, suffering and so many other emotions and feelings that can’t really be described. Although Kayla, like us today, have no idea when we will encounter a trial, although we know it will happen. And then, just as Kayla discovered, we find whom we ‘truly’ can put our full faith and trust in, our most Holy and righteous heavenly father. Jesus tells us in Gospel of John “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world…For a little while longer the light is among you. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness will not overtake you; also one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.” Acts tells us “Open their eyes to that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in me. Philippians tells us so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” 1 John tells us “I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.”
Darkness friends is never where we are designed to stay. We will travel through the valley, but we don’t pitch a tent to stay! In Psalm 23 again gives us a divine promise, a real accountability of God doing what He does best in delivering His child from the darkness and despairs. It shows us where God affirms that even in the reality of the shadow, the pain, suffering and threatening darkness, there is always light which is found in God and God alone! For instance, verse four says “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil!” What is this shadow its talking about? Hebrew word shadow, tsal-maw-veth, means death like shadow, deep shadow. A shadow can never be found in darkness, it’s only present when there is a light! So where does this light come from? It comes from the most confiding action that God makes in as the psalmist stated, for You are with me! I am with you!
How many of you this morning is walking through a valley right now? It may be dark, it may be lonely at times, it may be painful, full of sorrow, unknowns, and misery! While I cannot express to you, I fully understand, I do sympathize as I have been there as well. I cannot give even give you any more hope than what God has already promised in His word. What I can give you friends is words of encouragement that came from God with an ultimate promise that there is nothing God cannot handle. There is nothing God cannot change. There is nothing God is not able to do for His children. There is nothing too big, too small, too weak or too powerful for God not able to deal with. God even told Abraham, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” Gospel of Matthew 19 Jesus tells us “with God, all things are possible!”
In closing friends, whether the valleys are by result of our own choices or simply by God’s ultimate design, there are several things we can do as we encounter this measured time. First, we must realize being in the valley of darkness is not designed to destroy us! 2 Corinthians 4 tells us “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” We have the constant reassurance that we are never set up for failure, only success! Second, even during the darkest valleys, Gods light will shine brightly with a way out! 1 Corinthians 10 tells us “No temptation [Trial] has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted [Tried] beyond what you are able, but with the temptation [Trial] will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” Notice clearly, the trials and temptations we encounter are not designed to leave us alone in the darkness but bring us out with the power through Christ to endure it for a period of time! Third, as we experience the darkness, the outcome shall always make us better! 1 Peter 1 tells us “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Faith! The one word that God uses countlessly when it comes to us in worshipping and serving the living God only by faith! In the dark valleys, we discover faith, just as Kayla did. Through trials and temptations, we locate strength which we never could have on our own. Through the fires of life and death, we will indeed become one with God by learning who we can truly lean on and depend on! Our creator, heavenly father, the great I AM. Is God limited? Psalm 139 tells us “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.” Please friends have faith and know the God of all creation will indeed deliver and protect you with His rod and staff, anointing you with a blessing even before your very dangers while having all goodness and faithfulness following you all the days of your life as you dwell amongst your heavenly father that is in Heaven. Amen.