Learning in the Darkness
William MacDonald explores the profound spiritual lessons and treasures that can be found in the darkness of life's trials.
William MacDonald explores the concept of 'treasures of darkness' as expressed in Isaiah 45:3, emphasizing that spiritual growth and profound lessons often emerge from life's darkest moments. He illustrates that trials and tribulations can lead to unexpected blessings, such as songs of hope and deeper understanding of God and oneself. MacDonald acknowledges that while we may prefer the light, the insights gained during times of sorrow and struggle are invaluable and lasting. He quotes various thinkers to highlight that the darkness, though challenging, can yield rich spiritual rewards that shape our faith and character.
Text
"And I will girt thee the treasures of darkness." Isaiah 45:3
When God made this promise to Cyrus, He was speaking of material treasures from lands of darkness that Cyrus would conquer. But we are not doing violence to the verse when we take it and apply it in a spiritual sense.
There are treasures that are discovered in the dark nights of life that are never found in days of unrelieved sunshine.
For instance, God can give songs in the darkest night (Job 35:10) that would never have been sung if life were completely devoid of trials. That is why the poet wrote:
And many a rapturous minstrel among
those sons of Light
Will say of his sweetest music "I
learned it in the night;"
And many a rolling anthem that fills
the Father's home
Sobbed out its first rehearsal in the
shade of a darkened room.
There is the darkness of what J. Stuart Holden calls "life's inexplicable mysteries - the calamities, the catastrophes, the sudden and unexpected experiences which have come into life, and which all our forethought has not been sufficient to ward off; and life is dark because of them - sorrow, loss, disappointment, injustice, misconception of motive, slander." These are often the things that make life dark.
Humanly speaking, none of us would choose this darkness, and yet its benefits are incalculable. Leslie Weatherhead wrote, "Like all men, I love and prefer the sunny uplands of experience, when health, happiness and success abound, but I have teamed far more about God and life and myself in the darkness of fear and failure than I have ever learned in the sunshine. There are such things as the treasures of darkness. The darkness, thank God, passes. But what one learns in the darkness, one possesses for ever."
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the concept of darkness - Spiritual application of Isaiah 45:3 - Understanding treasures found in darkness
- II points: - God's gifts during trials - Songs learned in the night - The role of suffering in spiritual growth
- III points: - Life's inexplicable mysteries - Calamities and unexpected experiences - The impact of sorrow and loss
- IV points: - Benefits of darkness - Learning through fear and failure - Enduring lessons from dark times
- V points: - Conclusion on the nature of darkness - Hope and light after darkness - Final thoughts on spiritual treasures
Key Quotes
“There are treasures that are discovered in the dark nights of life that are never found in days of unrelieved sunshine.” — William MacDonald
“I have learned far more about God and life and myself in the darkness of fear and failure than I have ever learned in the sunshine.” — William MacDonald
“The darkness, thank God, passes. But what one learns in the darkness, one possesses for ever.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Embrace the challenges in your life as opportunities for growth and learning.
- Seek out the lessons hidden in your darkest moments to enrich your faith.
- Remember that the darkness is temporary, but the insights gained can last a lifetime.