0234. STUDIES FOR BELIEVERS

Studies for Believers

IN THE DARKNESS.

"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God" (Isa_50:10). In Sir Arthur Blackwood’s life in "The Recollections of a Friend," we find this: "I remember meeting him one day, when C.T., who was with me, and was then a young Christian, was in low spirits, from which I could not raise him. As we went round the railings of the Parish Church, we suddenly came face to face with him; and seeing our downcast faces, he said to us: ‘Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? let him trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon his God."

Many have never noticed this text, and only with difficulty find it.

Unexpected. Just fancy, in spite of, (1) a reverence for the Lord, (2) and obedience, yet (3) walking in darkness. This is altogether against our notions. Especially is this a surprise to young converts.

What to Do in the Darkness.

1. Trust in the Name (reputation and character) of the Lord. He has a reputation to live up to.

2. "Stay upon his God." Lean upon God.

3. Grasp a strong hand in the darkness. It is said of Pastor Hsi that circumstances around him were often black as night. But he grasped a strong hand in the darkness, and learned to trust the voice that said: "Look not around thee, for I am thy God."

4. Run to the Lord. Sir A. Blackwood, writing to one in darkness, said: "I believe the only remedy, so far as we are concerned, is, in such trials of soul to be content with a believing look unto Jesus-just taking refuge as we are in His work, and Word, and love, as I read the other day, ‘If a dog barks at a very little child, it does not try to fight with it, but instantly runs to its mother.’ And that’s our safest way, instantly to resort to Him, in spite of unbelief and coldness, and morbid feelings, and everything, saying, ‘Unto the Lord will I lift up mine eyes.’"

Little folks sometimes see things that are hidden from the eyes of those older.

One moonlight night, after the house-lights had all been put out, a little four-year-old girl, afraid of the dark, asked her widowed mother: "Mamma, is the moon God’s light?" "Yes, Ethel," her mother answered, "the moon and the stars are all God’s lights."

Then came the next question from the little girl: "Will God blow out His light and go to sleep, too?" "No, my child," the mother replied, "His lights are always burning." Then the timid little girl gave utterance to a sentiment that thrilled the mother’s heart and led her to a more complete trust in her God: "Well, mamma, while God’s awake, I ‘m not afraid."

The beautiful thought which came to this little girl is one with which we are all familiar, but we need to be reminded of it many times. "Behold He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psa_121:4).

Here is a lovely poem on this subject:

"God never would send you the darkness

If He felt you could bear the light;

But you would not cling to His guiding hand

If the way were always bright;

And you would not care to walk by faith

Could you always walk by sight.

"’Tis true He has many an anguish

For your sorrowful heart to bear.

And many a cruel thorn-crown

For your tired head to wear;

He knows how few would reach heaven at all

If pain did not guide them there.

"So He sends you the blinding darkness.

And the furnace of sevenfold heat;

‘Tis the only way, believe me,

To keep you close to His feet;

For ’tis always so easy to wander

When our lives are glad and sweet.

"Then nestle your hand in your Father’s,

And sing, if you can, as you go;

Your song may cheer some one behind you

Whose courage is sinking low;

And, well, if your lips do quiver-

God will love you better so."

Autor: James Smith