Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 124 – Isaiah 45:3 – Treasures Of Darkness – Growing As Disciples

I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:3 (NIV)

Darkness

I gather that you are not a fan of the darkness. That’s right, there is no doubt about that. You don’t like it when you can’t see clearly. Yep. You don’t like it when things are not going your way. That’s true.  You don’t like it when you are encountering troubles and experiencing trials. You got that right. Who likes the darkness? Who has any pleasure in troubles and trials? Who has joy in things not going their way? Those actually are good questions. Why is that? I’m not expecting that you will be grateful and thankful for troubles and trials that have come into your life. I don’t expect you to be a fan of darkness. It would be weird if you enjoyed things not going your way. But have you received any benefit in the troubles and trials you have gone through? Well yes, I have as a matter of fact. How so? In the darkness I have cried out to you. I have drawn near to you. You have drawn near to me. I have held on to you as you have held on to me. So, you would say that our relationship has grown more intimate as you have cried out to me, when you have found yourself in the darkness? Yes, I would. Is that a valuable treasure? Is that something you highly value? Yes, our relationship becoming more intimate is a valuable treasure that I wouldn’t trade for anything else in this life. That’s very good. Would you also say that your faith has grown stronger as you have cried out to me in the darkness of troubles and trials, when things have not gone your way? Yes, my faith has grown stronger as I have cried out to you. Why is that? You have been with me to help me in my troubles and trials. You have been my refuge and fortress. You have been my shelter in every storm. Is your faith in me growing stronger, a valuable treasure, you have received in the darkness as you have relied on me? Yes, it is. One final question. I’m listening. Have times of darkness helped you to come to know me in new ways? Yes, without a doubt. How so? Moments of darkness have helped me to know you as my counselor and comforter. Moments of darkness have helped me to know you as my healer. Moments of darkness have helped me to know you as my defender and deliverer. Isn’t that good? Are these not also treasures that you have received as you have walked through the darkness with me? Yes Lord, these are all treasures I have received as I have walked through the darkness with you. Thank you for your goodness. Thank you for your kindness and mercy and love. You have richly blessed my life with many hidden treasures that could only have been found in the darkness. Yes, I have. Yes, I am. Yes, I will.

Lord, I am not a fan of darkness. I would like to avoid darkness of every kind. I know this world is filled with darkness that I must walk through. Help me to walk through darkness. Show me treasures that I can only receive by walking through darkness with you. Amen

Key Question… When have you gone through dark times that required you to hold on to God with all your strength?

Living It Out… Draw near to God and hold on to Him when you are walking through darkness in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will be with you to help you walk through darkness in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has helped you to walk through darkness with Him.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to show you treasures you can only receive by walking through darkness with Him.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Promises – Day 124 – Isaiah 45-3 – Treasures Of Darkness – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide

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