Do you ever feel like you’re in a dark room with no light switch? Such times tempt us to move our reliance from the unseen God to what we can see. Ourselves.
One time when our son was younger, I had planned to serve a special dessert at halftime while we were watching the Super Bowl. He ran back and forth from the TV into the kitchen to see if it was ready, even though I assured him it wouldn’t be served until the halftime. Finally, in exasperation I asked, “Don’t you trust me?” His response was telling: “I can’t trust you when I don’t see you.”
Sometimes I’m not much different when it comes to waiting on God’s timing. I refuse to trust God in the dark. I’m like those Isaiah described. I try to “light my own fire” by frantically stirring up the embers of my understanding, hoping to provide myself with the “flaming torch” of my own insight. Consequently, “I lie down in torment” (or at least sleepless nights of tossing and turning).
The search for understanding is not wrong. But we cross a line when we shift from trusting God to striking our own matches to deliver us from the darkness of uncertainty. It reflects our need to be in control. I don’t want to do that anymore. I’ve decided I would rather be with God in the darkness than without Him in the light. How about you?
Father, thank you that we don’t have to figure things out for ourselves. Even when we can’t see what you are doing, we can trust you. Please help us in uncertain times to resist relying on ourselves and instead rely on your Name. Amen.
Go Deeper ― Write down any situations where you are having trouble trusting the Lord. After each one, check off who is more reliable to trust in: God or yourself. As you pray, offer each circumstance to Him.
Read Further: Seeking God Face to Face, a story of a man who left Islam for Christ.
Photo Credit: Rob Bye