I’m reading Bob Roxburgh’s ‘Kingdom First’. He says: ‘Contemporary cultural influences present us with individualism, narcissism, anti-authority, anti-truth, as well as inadequate definitions of the good life, where everything must yield to satisfaction and happiness.’
His analysis of a dark world is sadly true. I could present examples from the news, from my life… from my experience of church.
I love stories that present an alternative, showing people’s goodness and kindness. For example… yesterday at our Men’s Shed… Charlie’s back for the first time following cancer surgery and chemotherapy… Ralph’s long-term-sick wife died last week… Roger has scars from significant verbal abuse… All are in dark times, but receive acceptance, understanding, support, care, and love.
I came to my Psalm for today… expecting to read of darkness, Bob’s troubled world, troubles and problems, …leading to God who brings light, strength, and hope…
…Psalm 88, written by ‘Heman the Ezrahite’, starts, ‘O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you… my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near to the grave.’
His life’s in the pit… he’s overwhelmed with waves… his eyes are overcome with grief… he’s calling out to his God.
I look for the happy ending, God’s intervention, prayers answered… There’s none. He feels rejected by his God ‘…afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair.’
And, long before Paul Simon coined the phrase, he concludes: ‘The darkness is my closest friend.’
Musing… My friend Darkness?
Accepting the darkness… I’ve been through dark times; I see others who are living in darkness. If darkness is there I must acknowledge its presence.
Embracing the darkness… I don’t fight it. I don’t despair because I can’t see the light. I appreciate insights gained, lessons learnt, friends who join me in my darkness.
Persisting in the darkness… Even in the darkest times I don’t lose faith or hope. I remain persistent in my prayers, I develop resilience and resolve.
Darkness is my friend.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Brave words, Malcolm, and comforting too, few there are who would speak or write them . . . or want to . . . but also true, because He is there even in the darkness and silence. And, therefore, we needn’t fear darkness or silence . . . but embrace them as Brother and Sister, huh?
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You just inspired my post today, Malcolm.
The Sound of Silence – Majik’s Substack
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Good thinking. Thanks, Mark.
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Absolutely, Mark. Some people say, ‘Everything will work out OK’, when it doesn’t. Some folk – particularly Christians I’ve met- feel guilty because they don’t feel so strong, and life isn’t as victorious as they think it ought to be.
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Very encouraging, thank you, Malcolm.
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Thanks, Dana.
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That became my favourite Psalm (88). Apart from the positive beginning there is no hope in it. And because there is no hope in it, it gave me hope when I was in darkness. Hope, because someone else had been there too.
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Thanks, Nigel. It certainly raises questions about times when we find ourselves in dark places. It’s too easy to give easy answers to difficult questions.
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