Darkness

Darkness

Joshua 24:7”He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and covered them; and your own eyes saw what I did in Egypt.”

I write this article on March 30, 2020, during the complete ‘LOCKDOWN’ period in our city Hyderabad, India due to Covid-19, Corona virus crisis that is now shaking the world. During this dark period where corpses are accumulating with no place for burial, I sought the Lord who offered me comfort in the dark and write this below sermon which I am sure would bless and encourage you!

GOD WORKING FOR YOU IN THE DARK: God is working out a miracle for you while it is still pitch dark! Be encouraged today! Do not give up, keep trusting God and remember to meditate on His promises. Steady prayer life, meticulous Bible reading will take you through the darkest moments because the Word of God is a lamp to your feet and light to your path. (Psalm 119:105)

In the above scripture we read about the miraculous way by which the Lord delivered the people from the hands of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, (read: Exodus 14: 13- 21) the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, then God swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.(v 21) Glory to Jesus! Do not worry about the dark my friend, remember your God is the true Light of the world. “Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.”(Micah 7:8)

During the last few years of her life, Ruth Graham, wife of great Evangelist Billy Graham who visited more than 200 countries around the Globe and preached the Gospel, was very sick and in order to strengthen herself, she kept a crown made of thorns in her room, so that whenever the pain gets bad she would look at the cross and remember the pain that Jesus endured on the cross and would feel comforted. Never take your eyes off Jesus during the period of crisis, don’t look around, don’t hear the noise just keep your eyes on Him who said: Psalm 50:15:”Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."

Walking in the dark! - Isaiah 50:10,11 " Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God. Look, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled --- This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment.”

God spoke the above scripture to me when I was going through a severe dark period in our ministry and my own personal life. An avalanche of problems and pain gushed on me and threatened to topple me. But I thank God, if not for my severe fasting and hard prayers, I would have gone crazy!

After walking almost ten years with Him, just when I was blissfully dreaming of new openings for my ministry, God was closing almost all the present doors of ministry. The “My Delight” daily devotional magazine which was my passion was slowly dwindling. Freshly printed books, the sheen still on them, were stacked in bundles in the corner of the Printer’s office. We did not have funds to take delivery of them. Days were turning to weeks, yet we could see no light. The pain in my heart knew no bounds!

The financial crisis that we were facing were threatening to throttle us like never before. Our current bill, rent bill and maintenance bills were outstanding, it was the most embarrassing time in my ministry. I felt a total wreck. I wondered what would I answer my kids if the power was cut by the electricity board officials! How could I face them! This was truly a dark period in our life. I could truly relate to the miseries of Job when he says, “….He has set darkness in my paths (Job 19:8) However, on the last date of payment, God enabled us to make the payment. Praise God!

The ordeal was not over, though, there were other payments glaring daggers at us. There were severe riots in the city during that time and on a particular day, we had come to an absolute empty stage. Not a grain in the rice bag, no oil, no petrol, no milk and not a penny in the wallet. Nothing! Pitch Dark! My little son started crying and wanted some good food because we had been managing for a long time with bare minimum. Now, even that was gone! The adults can certainly manage, but what about the kid? I panicked! My husband said that he would draw Rs.100/- from the minimum balance amount of the bank and get some food. He walked to the bank because there was no petrol in the bike, after an hour he called me over the phone to say that all the banks and shops were closed because of the problems. He said that he would try using his debit card and purchase something from the supermarket in our colony which was fortunately opened. When he had taken all the items and about to submit his card, five thugs bombarded into the shop and forced them to close the shutters immediately. My husband called me to say that with all doors of opportunity closed, he was returning home with an empty bag. I kept the receiver down, buried my face in my hands and sobbed bitterly. I had never felt so broken in my life. What would I tell my son, daughter and the maid! I gathered myself after some time and felt the need to do something. I humbled myself to call the opposite house hindu lady and explained about the ATMs being closed ( I could not tell her that I had no money) and asked if she could give us some money.