What’s true in the light is true in the darkness.
Last week in Sunday School class, my wife, Jacki, shared something that she has shared before with us. Our previous pastor in Oklahoma had a saying “What’s true in the light, is true in the dark.” I had not heard this saying first hand as I was not usually in the sanctuary for his messages. (Leading kids worship didn’t afford me much time in “big church.”) The heart of this saying, as I understand it, is that even when you go through dark, uncomfortable times, God ‘s promises are still true. He is unchanging.
As I was thinking about it, it occurred to me I should look up and see if a scripture passage inspired this saying. As I dug and dug, I couldn’t find anything that was word for word. So as I thought about it more, I realized it truly was a reflection on life and God’s faithfulness to his promises.
Rather than a verse in the bible to live by, it was a wise saying drawn from observations from the bible and from our lives today. What does it speak-into our circumstances? Let me take you through a rapid fire review of God’s promises, our problems and what his word assures us about both of them.
Then we will take a closer look at David and how God and his promises were not just there in the good time and in the times he was so filled with sorrow.
God is faithful, no matter what. Faithful to be…
Lord
- No matter who is in political power, God is on the Throne
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Consistent
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Heb 13:8 NIV
No Matter Your Feelings or Emotions
Feeling Unloved? – The truth that cuts through is You are loved by God
“4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
Eph 2:4-5 NIV
Are you Depressed? – God wants to be your comfort, (Jesus does call the Holy Spirit “The Comforter”)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2 Cor 1:3-4 ESV
God comforts us, enabling us to pass along that holy comfort to others in this life.
Feel as if you are Unforgivable? God strongly disagrees.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 ESV
Beat yourself up for bad or dumb decisions. We all make mistakes, choose wrongly and feel guilt and regret. After repentance we can be equipped with God’s wisdom…if we just ask.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5 ESV
Do you feel as though you are hopelessly lost in your sin? Is it part of you? Do you feel you must just be accepted this way? Good news: God wants you to be equipped and empowered to reject sin and follow Jesus’ pattern for life.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Cor 10:13 ESV
In just a moment, we are going to look at highlights from David, son of Jesse’s story. Before that, I want to read two of his writings. Usually in song and poetry, we find a way to communicate our feelings and what we believe and trust in – even in spite of our feelings and circumstances.
The Lord is my Shepherd
Read – Psalm 27
The Lord is my Light and Salvation
We can see the promises of God being reaffirmed throughout scripture. The book of Psalms is rife with them! Let me remind you, David went through some trying times.
- Youngest son in large family
- Risked life for his flock
- Anointed king, not his brothers
- Served King Saul and was the king’s son’s best friend…
- However Saul went crazy and tried to kill David twice.
- Saul Hunted him down
- Saul Finally gave up
- David was pressured to kill King Saul, (would have been easy – maybe “God’s will?”)
- David’s best friend (Jonathon) died in battle with his father, King Saul.
- David assumes the throne and later has a LOT of family issues.
- Has a child out of wedlock, affair with the wife of one of his soldiers. Leaves the soldier to die in batter so he can marry the dead man’s wife.
- Baby dies as a consequence of this brazen disobedience.
- One of David’s sons, Absolom tries to take the throne from him.
- Successfully drives David from his home, battles with David’s men.
- David doesn’t want his son killed. (His soldiers did it anyway)
- This causes David to mourn for his son, even though his son threatened his rule and his life.
- Later, another one of his son’s tries to assume the throne. David picks a different son and things
- Has a child out of wedlock, affair with the wife of one of his soldiers. Leaves the soldier to die in batter so he can marry the dead man’s wife.
All this and more.
One man’s life and we just get the big highlights that were written down.
Yet, as his poetry suggests, He never gave up on God. David was keenly aware God was not going to give up on him. This was his story.
Your Story
What would it look like if you wrote down the highlights of your life? Mentally fill in these blanks.
Born ____________________________
Grew up _____________________________
One major thing that defined your childhood: ________________________
Summerize your last 3-4 years in 1-2 words ________________________
Happiest moment in Life_________________________
Saddest moment _________________________________
What defines if your life has been good or bad? ____________________
Where is God’s faithfulness in those moments of your Life?
When you are consumed by emotions, feelings, they can blind you to the Truth. As the song says, “My emotions are useful, but they’re not gospel. My troubled mind is sinking sand, but you are ever faithful.”
Just to point out some very relevant, practical and timely examples of us Believing and living out this bible-based truth. The sorrow we feel when we heard of Dr. Donley’s illness, later his passing. Or those of you who knew Pastor Blair. A Family friend and ministry colleague of mine passed away around the same time as Dr. Donley. Recently we said goodbye to one of our pets, our third one in not too long. I think back just a couple of years. Unfortunately witnessing a co-worker having a breakdown prior to his death.
When I want to sink down into the depths of hopelessness and depression because of the overwhelming weight of the loss I’ve experienced, the stress of the day, the demands of the week, I’ve got to hold on to the promises of God.
What’s true in the light is true in the darkness
Though sorrow is real, You won’t let it break us
So we sing in the night and trust in your promises
You’re true in the light and true in the darkness,
Rend Collective, “True in the Light” from the Album Whosoever
Viroqua Naz 