Light in the Darkness

Reference

Ps 42-43

SPECIAL FEATURE

Hymn of Christ Words & Music by Carson Li @KEC Worship
https://english.mykec.ca/blog/hymn-of-christ

MESSAGE SUMMARY

It is in our seasons of disappointment and darkness that we will be able to know the power of The Light. This is not only true when trying to see the beauty of the stars but also in our life with God. In Psalm 42 the Psalmist processes their own disappointment with God by: reflecting honestly, remembering the truth, and resting in hope. As parents when we have walked through our own disappointment, we will be better equipped to help our children through their own disappointment.

In the Psalm the writer reflects honestly on their disappointment with God. As a result of his loss and situation, he honestly feels distant from God and desires His presence, “Where can I go and meet with God?” God’s silence or felt absence is not necessarily the result of God’s judgment as figures like Mother Teresa have experienced this during their life. As Hillary McBride said, “Living includes the experience of pain.” So too our spiritual lives include experiences of pain. These can be spaces where God shows us the power of His light.

The Psalmist then remembers times in his past when God was especially close and he was able to feel God’s light. He recalls memories of God’s light in his present darkness. Memories of God’s light and life can help us in times of spiritual depression. These memories can preach God’s love and faithfulness to us. As Darrell Johnson says, “Sometimes we just need to preach to ourselves.”

Finally the Psalmist rests in hope. The Hebrew word for hope refers to the image of resting under a mother lion. Hope is not about mustering positive thoughts. In the spaces of our greatest darkness and unknowing we are invited to rest under the power and protection of someone who is loving, protective, and powerful. We are not alone in our suffering of spiritual depression as Jesus has entered into this reality himself and is present to us while we are in it. It is only in the darkness that we are able to know the power of God’s Light.