========================================================================
  WHEN WE'RE IN THE DARK
  by Charles E. Cowman
========================================================================

Summary: God is working out His purpose in our lives, even in the
darkest times, and we must trust Him and have faith in His design.

Topics: "Faith In Darkness", "Trust In God"
Scripture References: Psalm 139:12, Isaiah 45:3, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Hebrews 11:1, James 1:2

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charles E. Cowman preaches about finding treasures in darkness, drawing
a parallel to the delicate art of lace weaving in a darkened room where
only the pattern is illuminated. He encourages believers to trust God's
unseen hand at work in their lives, even when they are in the midst of
confusion and darkness, as the most exquisite work is often done in
those challenging times. The message emphasizes the importance of faith,
perseverance, and trust in God's ultimate plan, assuring that He will
bring beauty and goodness out of every trial and hardship.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I will give thee the treasures of darkness" (Isa. 45:3).

In the famous lace shops of Brussels, there are certain rooms devoted to
the spinning of the finest and most delicate patterns. These rooms are
altogether darkened, save for a light from one very small window, which
falls directly upon the pattern. There is only one spinner in the room,
and he sits where the narrow stream of light falls upon the threads of
his weaving. "Thus," we are told by the guide, "do we secure our
choicest products. Lace is always more delicately and beautifully woven
when the worker himself is in the dark and only his pattern is in the
light."

May it not be the same with us in our weaving? Sometimes it is very
dark. We cannot understand what we are doing. We do not see the web we
are weaving. We are not able to discover any beauty, any possible good
in our experience. Yet if we are faithful and fail not and faint not, we
shall some day know that the most exquisite work of all our life was
done in those days when it was so dark.

If you are in the deep shadows because of some strange, mysterious
providence, do not be afraid. Simply go on in faith and love, never
doubting. God is watching, and He will bring good and beauty out of all
your pain and tears. --J. R. Miller

The shuttles of His purpose move

To carry out His own design;

Seek not too soon to disapprove

His work, nor yet assign

Dark motives, when, with silent tread,

You view some sombre fold;

For lo, within each darker thread

There twines a thread of gold.

Spin cheerfully,

Not tearfully,

He knows the way you plod;

Spin carefully,

Spin prayerfully,

But leave the thread with God.

--Canadian Home Journal

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/charles-e-cowman/when-were-in-the-dark/
========================================================================