Tag: Mark Harris

For centuries Israel had been looking for the Messiah foretold in Isaiah 9:2 & 6. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Luke’s gospel gives an account of the fulfillment of that prophecy.

Read the story Luke 2:1-29

The birth of Jesus – Luke 2:8-11
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”

Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12) was born at night. The greatest miracle in all of history, God becoming flesh taking the form of a baby, took place in darkness. Jesus came to shatter the darkness and to reveal the glory and brightness of God’s wonderful light of truth. Those who abide in Him abide in light even though darkness may surround them. Light always triumphs over darkness.

Activity:
Sing a Christmas carol to remind yourself in your dark circumstance that the Light has come.

The disciple often found them themselves in dark uncertain and frightening situations. One such occasion was a storm on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus had stayed behind to spend time in prayer with the Father.

Read the story Matthew 14:22-33

The Disciples on the Sea of Galilee – Matthew 14:25
“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the water.” The disciples had left Jesus on the side of a mountain to spend some time in prayer. They were crossing the Sea of Galilee heading toward the city of Gennesaret when a fierce storm threatened to sink their boat. In their moment of distress Jesus walked out on the water to them, climbed into their boat and calmed the Sea.

Even though it was dark and the disciple’s boat was a long distance away, Jesus saw them (Mark 6:48) and went to them. No matter how dark and violent our storm, Jesus sees us and comes to us in His miraculous power.

Activity:
Picture yourself in a boat in a fierce storm and all of a sudden you see a figure walking on the water towards you. What are you feeling? What are your emotions? And when the person climbs into your boat and the storm immediately goes calm, what are you thinking?
Jesus sees your storm, He miraculously walks out to you and climbs into your boat and calms the wind and the waves speaking peace to your soul. Spend some time worshiping and thanking Him for taking control of your dark circumstances.

Israel found themselves in the time of the Judges oppressed by the Midianites. The Midianites were described as a multitude as thick as locust with so many camels that they could not be counted. Israel, under Gideon’s leadership, had only 300 men armed with trumpets and torches. In the natural, Israel was greatly outnumbered and vastly inadequately armed.

Read the story: Judges 7:9-25

Gideon – Judges 7:9
“During the night the Lord said to Gideon, Get up, go down against the camp of Midian, because I am going to give it into your hands” God was working in the darkness. (Judges 7:22) When the three hundred trumpets sounded and the Israelite solders broke the jars containing their torches, the Lord caused the men in the Midianite camp to become confused and to turn on each other with their swords and slaughter each other. The remainder fled with Israel in pursuit until their leaders were capture and their heads brought to Gideon.

No matter how outnumbered and inadequately armed you might feel in your darkness, with God you are in the majority because He is more than enough for your victory!

Activity:
Draw a picture of a trumpet and a torch. Place it on your refrigerator where you can see it every day to remind yourself that in your darkness what God has given you is more than enough even though in the natural it looks as if your are outnumbered and inadequately armed. God is greater than your darkness.

The joy and excitement of leaving Egypt was abruptly interrupted when Israel found themselves trapped with the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army hotly pursuing them from behind. There seemed to be no way of escape.

Read the story: Exodus 14:5-30

Israel fleeing the slavery of Egypt. – Exodus 14:21
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The nation of Israel crossed the Red Sea at night. At day break, verse 27 says, Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea went back to its place drowning the Egyptian army. In the midst of their darkness God told them to do three things: (14:13 & 14)

1.“Do not be afraid” Don’t listen to Satan’s lies.
2.“Stand firm” Keep their focus on God’s faithfulness.
3.“Be still” Act in faith rather than reacting in fear.

The promise was, “the Lord will fight for you” and “the Egyptians you see today you will never see again.” Circumstances were dark and confusing but God had day break in store for them!

Activity:
Make three lists: 1) List Satan’s lies which you need to take captive (II Cor. 10:5). 2) List scriptural promises upon which you are standing. 3) List actions of faith that God desires you to take in the midst of your darkness.

About 500 years after the flood the sins of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were so vile and grievous to the Lord that He destroyed them with fire. The night before God rained fire and brimstone down upon the cities, God rescued Lot and his family from the coming destruction.

Read the story: Genesis 19:1-29

Lot fleeing the corruption of Sodom – Gen. 19:23
“By the time Lot reached Zoar (the place to which God allowed him to flee for safety), the sun had risen over the land. Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah…” In the darkness of night, God led Lot and his family to safety before judgment fell upon the city. When the darkness of judgment threatens your community, focus on Jesus, the light, He is committed to show you the way through the darkness to His victory and grace.
God warned them not to look back (19:17), but for whatever reason Lot’s wife lost her focus and in looking back became a pillar of salt. (19:26) Dark times have a tendency to cause us to look back to better days instead of looking forward in faith to God’s miraculous provision.

Activity:
Place a salt shaker in a conspicuous place to help you remember to not allow your heart and thinking to dwell on past comforts. Rather, keep moving forward in obedience to God’s directives in faith knowing that He is protecting you and providing all that you need for life and godliness. (II Peter 1:3 & 4) Spend some time thanking God for where He is taking you.