I'm a little confused as to how to title this because the notes from Part 6 says Stage 6 is Service but there is a Part 7. This topic doesn't sound like Service but oh, well.
Finding Treasure in Darkness
2 Samuel 22:12: He wrapped himself in a trenchcoat of black rain-cloud darkness.
Job 19:8: God has blocked my path and turned my light to darkness.
Psalm 13:3: Answer me, O Lord my God; give me light in my darkness lest I die.
Isaiah 45:3: I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
GOD HAS CONCEALED RICHES IN THE DARKNESS OF SUFFERING
"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches hidden in secret places."
fiery trials--gold, riches
blessings in messes of our lives
have to dig for the treasure
So that you may KNOW
GOD HAS THE POWER TO INTERVENE IN OUR DARKNESS
"I am the Lord, the God of Israel..."
Isaiah 57:15a: The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble..."
No one BUT God
transcendent
GOD WILL BE CLOSE TO US IN OUR DARKNESS
"...who summons you by name." (most personal)
Acts 17:27b: ...so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near.
This God
What we KNOW leads us to worship
Job 1:20,21: At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Choose Joy
There are many things you can praise God for even in pain:
-That He is a good and loving God (Job 10:12)
-That He is all-powerful (Job 36:22; 37:5,23)
-That He notices every detail of my life (Job 23:10; 31:4)
-That He is in control (Job 34:13)
-That He has a plan for my life (Job 23:14)
-That He will protect me (Job 5:11)
Habakkuk 3:17-19: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the LORD. I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
verses to hang your soul on
Treasures in the Darkness:
Psalm 23:4: Even when you are walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me guiding, guarding all the way.
Psalm 18:28: Lord, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness.
Isaiah 50:10: Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.
Personal notes:
emotional darkness
-vision gets distorted
depression
-don't want to be in darkness
-treasures in darkness?
-if so, I don't want them
how much dirt has to be moved to find one diamond
mosaic out of a shattered window
emptiness-come to God and be filled
friends who stick close
A Grace Disguised-Jerry Sittser (already have)
based on what you know-getting thru loss
Ask God to intervene-when He doesn't, He will be close to us in our darkness
Choose to find treasures
As close as next breath
Death is around us all the time
That God knows my name
Worship is a treasure in the darkness
CHOOSE
transcendent-above it all
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