Faith in the Dark

When you are tired of asking God “Why is this happening to me”...

1 Samuel 27:1-12

Fear- “I will perish one day by the hand of Saul”

Escape- “I should escape to the land of my enemies

God told him to stay in Judah (22:5)

he tries Achish again (21:10-15)

last time they started to turn on him so he pretended to be insane

Getting by- “give me a place to live” : Ziklag

Biding time- Geshurites, Girzites, Amalekites—> down to Egypt

countries along Judah’s southern border

he afflicts the enemies of Israel, but reports he has fought against Judah

gains favor with Achish

placed in a position of trust (bodyguard)

What’s missing?

Prayer

Prophecy

Sense of hope, deliverance, victory

God’s purpose in Dark Seasons

Joy Dawson- YWAM missionary, died 2022.

melt hard substances and produce brokenness

destroy anything useless (idols)

reshape us, make us pliable for varied uses

make us more like Jesus

endow us with more power

let us experience the fellowship of His sufferings

teach us how to mentor others by learning about ourselves and our responses to Night Seasons

Benefits of Dark seasons

purging of our souls

our will, aligned with God’s

desire for God

treasuring of God’s life, wisdom, provision, purpose

diminishing of “SELF”

awakening to scripture

strengthening of character

transcendent peace

What should I do?

acknowledge your situation with God

confess and repent anything He reveals to you (ask for forgiveness from God)

allow yourself to be wounded

unconditionally forgive others

surrender to the Lord’s will as a living sacrifice

immerse in God’s word (transformed by renewing of your mind)

worship