NO NIGHT IN THE CITY
"God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day." Genesis 1:5.
God not only creates the brightness of day, He also creates the darkness of night. So whatever appears like a night today is just before the break of dawn. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Morning is approaching.
"Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous." Psalm 112:4. Light will surely prevail over darkness.
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.
The night is the period of darkness between evening and morning. It is a time of rest or ending from daily activities. The night is the end of a day and the dawn of a new one. It is a time of darkness before daybreak.
What then is the night season? It is a time of weeping and sorrow. The night season is a time of fear and insecurity. It is a dark place to be. The night season is a time of trials, affliction and rejection. It is a time before a breakthrough. The night season is a time of disappointment, frustration and depression. It is a time you feel like giving up. The night season is a time we question the reality of the promises and presence of God in our situation. It is a time of anxiety. The night season is a time of hopelessness and confusion.
Beloved, just because you’re a godly person, doesn’t mean you’re not going to have a night season. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done anything wrong or messed up in your Christian walk. Perhaps you're in the midst of a raging storm or fire, but God's saying you will not be defeated. God's with you and He will help you.
"I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons." Psalm 16:7. These will be seasons filled with tears and despair. Yet they will not last! The season shall surely come to pass.
SEASONS:
Life is in seasons! We all go through the seasons of life. Ecclesiastes 3:1. Are you going through a difficult season? You can choose to be happy regardless of what is going on. Life is made up of valleys and mountains! The mountaintop is a beautiful scene but to get there you will have to pass through valleys! In the valleys you will have many trials: many will misunderstand you; some will criticize you, talk evil about you, and judge you unfairly. But, the valley is just a transit point! Whatever situation you might be going through right is nothing but a transition. It shall pass because its season will end and a better season will start. Whether it be in your marriage, business, ministry, finances or career. God is with you, even in the darkest nights of your life.
"23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed." Acts 16:23-26.
Life may not have turned out the way you’ve planned, but you can still be thankful. The night season should not be a time for us to murmur, complain or be bitter with God. Place your life in His hands. Refuse to be discouraged. Keep singing hymns, praising and worshipping God, even in your night hour. 1 Thessalonians 5:18. We rejoice not because our circumstances are perfect! We praise God because we know that in all things He works for the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:28. We sing hymns because He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Avoid murmuring and complaining. Psalm 42:5. This season shall pass! The night will soon be over! It may be the darkest you've ever seen, but you can't give up. God's working behind the scenes! He sees what you’re going through, you’re about to see light in your darkest nights. Joy is coming in the morning. Pray fervently during the night seasons. Have faith in God and patiently wait for Him. Meditate on the Scriptures. Hold on! You may not be aware of it, but 'Surely the LORD is in this place'. Genesis 28:16.
THE DARK PLACE:
"But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 1 Kings 19:4.
After great spiritual victories over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, the man of prayer and fire feared and ran for his life. Elijah went far away from Jezebel. Fear drove him into the desert! And there in the desert, he prayed for death. If you're in a dark place, you’re not alone! God's always with you, and has good plans for you.
The dark place is a lonely and scary place to be. It is a place of confinement. The dark place is a place of buried dreams and dead potentials. It is a place where wounded hearts take refuge. The dark place is a place of self pity and low self esteem. It is a place where there is no light. Depression is a dark place that feels suffocating and hard to breathe. Sadly there are many men and women of God dwelling in the dark place of depressioon.
Suicide rarely happens in a vacuum. Depression is the number one cause of suicide worldwide. It causes you to not see the next chapter of your story. Many people struggles with depression when the thing that once gave them purpose, meaning and hope is taken from them. Are you in a dark place today? Maybe discouragement, failures, fear, betrayal, low self esteem and disappointments have driven you there. Are you having suicidal thoughts? Perhaps you're convinced that life is not worth living. Maybe you have been crying yourself to sleep every night. Do you disguise your depression with cosmetics and fake smiles so others will thinks you’re happy? What are the signs of depression? 1. Sudden mood swings 2. Lack of concentration. 3. Isolation or withdrawal. 4. Changes in eating or sleeping patterns. 5. Emptiness. 6. Giving away possessions. 7. Apathy. 8. Negative thinking. 9. Self-criticism. 10. Agitation or restlessness. 11. Feelings of guilt or shame. 12. Extreme anger. 13. Growing paranoia. 14. Increased use of alcohol or drugs. 15. Self-destructive behavior. 16. Loss of interest. 17. Problems at school or on the job. 18. A feeling of helplessness. 19. Self-reproach or worthlessness. 20. Feelings of fatigue. 21. Sudden change of behaviour. And a morbid thoughts of death or suicide.
God wants to take you out of the dark places. Seek Him today! Fix your thoughts on what is good. Don’t take your worries to bed. Tell God about it. Pray. James 5:16. Let go of the pain of the past. Stop being a victim of circumstances. Forgive God for any issues you have against him, forgive others and forgive yourself. Focus on the present. Calm your mind. Take some time to relax. Listen to worship songs. Avoid alcohol. Engage in daily exercise. Speak against the lies of the enemy by speaking the truth of God's Word. He's not condemning you; your're forgiven! So embrace the love of God. You have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Speak up and speak out! Help is available. Don’t suffer in silence; speak to a health care professional, a pastor/counsellor, a friend, or a family member. Don't isolate yourself. Don't push caring people away. Spend time with caring people. Everyone is not against you. You need them to carry you, walk with you and encourage you. Don’t push God away. He has not given up on you! There is hope and healing. Have faith. Trust God to bring you through. Proverbs 3:5. Embrace God's peace today and let it rule in your heart. Read the Bible. Meditate on God's promises: Psalm 143:7-8; Psalm 45:5; Isaiah 40:28-31; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. Avoid whining and complaining. Take care of yourself. Laugh; it relaxes the body, relieves stress and pain, benefits heart and immune systems. Guard your heart. Don’t let Satan steal your joy. It's not over! Keep holding on to God. There is a happy ending to your story. Psalm 34:18.
THE CITY OF LIGHT:
"There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:5.
Life in this world is full of troubles! Weeping is a reality. There is ugliness in this world. Sadness is a reality. There is sorrow in this world. Suffering is a reality. There is injustice in this world. Betrayal is a reality. There is poverty in this world. Depression is a reality. Fear, sickness, hopelessness, discouragement and failure are products of this fallen world. But, one day, it shall all be over! Are you preparing for heavem? It is a very beautiful place! Heaven is not nirvana or valhalla; it is a real place. Heaven is not a state of mind or feeling. It is a place of complete safety and security. Heaven is a place of eternal rest and joy. Words are insufficient to describe the beauty of Heaven. There's no place in this world that can be compared to the glories in Heaven.
It will be a city of Light. “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” Revelation 21:23. God’s glory will lighten up the city, and there will be no night. Heaven will be a place of abundance. Death will be absent, pain and suffering will cease to exist.
Are you preparing for eternity? Is your name in the Book of Life? Examine your life today! If you are not so sure then you need to make a decision today. Why not pray this prayer: LORD Jesus, I come to You right now. I know I am a sinner, please forgive me. With my mouth, I declare that Jesus, from today, I accept You as the LORD of my life. Change my heart from a disobedient heart to a heart that will obey You. With my new heart, I believe that it is because of me that You came into this world; You died for my sins, take away my problems, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, write my name in the Book of Life, and make me brand new in Jesus name. Stand firm. Don't compromise. Read the Word. Guide your salvation jealously. The night will soon be over.
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. O Lord, help me trust Your love for me even when I cannot see a clear path out of my circumstances, in Jesus nane.
2. Father, when I find myself in the dark places of this life, show me the light of Your presence, in Jesus name.
3. O Lord, shine Your light in my dark places, in Jesus name.
4. O Lord, in the midst of my suffering, help me to find the boldness to praise You, in Jesus name.
6. Father, thank You for Your love. I know that You are in control and always care about me.
7. O Lord, help me not to fear the storms of life, but rather find strength in allowing You to do Your wondrous work in my life, in Jesus name.
8. Thank God for answering your prayers.
