English Radio Program

26 August 2008

DARK HOURS OF THE SOUL

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me, Psalm 23:4, NKJV

Almost every person goes through a period of life which my friend, Marilyn Nelson, describes as "the dark hours of the soul." It is when the skies seem to be brass, and you pray and there is no answer; or you cry out, "Why, God?" and all you hear is the echo of your voice. Naturally, no one in his right mind would chose to face a time such as that, but nearly everyone does at some time or another.

There is an Arab proverb that says, "All sunshine makes a desert." It is a loving Father who realizes that periods of darkness and showers of sadness bring forth the fruit of His character and nature. The dark hours of the soul only help us to hear our Father's voice as He says, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Should you never face periods of darkness, you could never be absolutely certain that God's grace is sufficient when you walk through the valley of the shadow of darkness. It was Madam Guyon who, many years ago, wrote, "I have learned to love the darkness of sorrow; there you see the brightness of His face." And then who can estimate the good that can come by walking through the dark hours of the soul?

It is the etching of acid in the darkroom of the laboratory that produces the image on film. It is the fire that purges the dross from the silver. When the dark hours of the soul come upon you, sometimes you forget what you know to be true and begin to wonder whether God has singled you out for particularly harsh treatment. I have several guidelines which you may find profitable.

Guideline #1: Keep in mind that God promised to be with us in periods of trial--not simply to exempt us from them . Micah cried out "When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me" (Micah 7:8, KJV ). One of my favorite promises is in Isaiah where God said, " When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel , your Savior" (Isaiah 43:2-3).

Guideline #2: Realize that the sun is still shining, regardless how deep the gloom and darkness that confronts you . You have to hold on to the certainty of some things which you know and take them by faith regardless of the temperature of your heart. When romantic love gradually turns into mature, conjugal love, you do not doubt that you have been in love or that you are loved--you know that, no matter what happens--and so it is with our Father's love.

Guideline #3: Trust God to accomplish what He pleases as you face those unpleasant dark hours . I am thinking of the words from Streams in the Desert : "Many a rapturous minstrel among those sons of light,/ will say of His sweetest music--I learned it in the night,/ And many a rolling anthem, that fills the Father's home,/ Sobbed out its first rehearsal in the shade of a darkened room."

Eventually darkness yields to light and questions to understanding. "If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:3-6). One final thought. When you face the dark hours of the soul, you always feel so alone; but when you emerge with understanding, you find that He is sufficient.

Resource reading: Proverbs 2