He Will Give Light
God's light can shine through even the darkest of times, and we can have hope by trusting in His promise to lighten our darkness.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the assurance that even in the darkest times, the Lord's light will shine upon us, bringing hope and dispelling fear. Just as Paul Gerhardt's hymn encourages, God will break through the prison of darkness, flooding our hearts with His light. Richard Sibbes emphasizes that even when we cannot see the light, if we anchor our faith and pray for God's intervention, He will bring clarity and light both externally and internally, dispelling the darkness of despair.
Text
The Lord will lighten my darkness.
2 SAMUEL 22:29
Upon whom doth not His light arise?
JOB 25:3
HOPE, then, though woes be doubled,
Hope, and be undismayed;
Let not thy heart be troubled,
Nor let it be afraid.
This prison where thou art,
Thy God will break it soon,
And flood with light thy heart
In His own blessed noon.
PAUL GERHARDT
A CHRISTIAN may for many days together see neither sun nor star, neither light in God's countenance, nor light in his own heart, though even at that time God darts some beams through those clouds upon the soul; the soul again by a spirit of faith sees some light through those thickest clouds, enough to keep it from utter despair, though not to settle it in peace. In this dark condition, if they do as St. Paul and his company did, cast an anchor even in the dark night of temptation, and pray still for day, God will appear, and all shall clear up, we shall see light without and light within; the day-star will arise in their hearts.
RICHARD SIBBES
Sermon Outline
- God's Light in Darkness
- God's Light in Our Lives
- Praying for Day
- Cast an anchor in the dark night of temptation
- Pray still for day
Key Quotes
“Hope, then, though woes be doubled, Hope, and be undismayed;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“This prison where thou art, Thy God will break it soon,” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- You can have hope in the midst of troubles by trusting in God's promise to lighten your darkness.
- Prayer is essential in seeing light in the midst of darkness, as it allows us to cast an anchor in the dark night of temptation and pray for day.
- Faith is key to seeing light in the midst of darkness, as it allows us to trust in God's promise to give light to our path.