God in the Dark

Read: Psalm 139:3-12

“I’m scared, Mom,” River said. “What if Dad never comes back?”

“I don’t know if he’s going to, River. I don’t know how things will work out.”

River’s stomach hurt. It had been hurting a lot since his dad stormed out of their house weeks earlier. “It’s just you and me?”

“You, me, and God.” Mom tapped her computer screen. “And I need to find a job.”

Things went from bad to worse that evening when the power went out. River stumbled his way through the house, calling for his mom.

“I’m in here.” Suddenly Mom appeared in front of him and wrapped her arms around him. “I don’t know why they would cut it off like that…I told them I would pay soon…”

“You didn’t pay the bill?” River asked.

“I don’t have the money right now,” said Mom. “I’m sorry.”

“It won’t come back on tomorrow?”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Mom sighed. “We’ll be okay.”

River tried to look around, but he couldn’t see anything. Darkness from outside filled the house. He heard a sound in the corner of the room. “I’m really scared, Mom. I don’t like the dark.”

“That was just the house settling,” Mom said. “It does it all the time, but we don’t think anything of it when it’s light in here. Do you know who can see in the dark?”

“Not me,” River said.

“Me neither,” Mom said. “But God can. The Bible says that both dark and light are the same to Him. He can see now like if the lights were all on.”

“Really?” River asked. “He can see if there are any bad guys in here?”

Mom chuckled. “Yes. And there aren’t.” She rubbed his back. “God is light. Our light. When we were lost in the darkness of sin, Jesus came and died for us so we could have the light of His love in our lives. He sees us now, and He can see the future too. He knows what’s going to happen with your dad, and He promises never to leave us. We can trust Him.”

“Everything is so scary right now,” River said.

“I know, but God will take care of us.” Mom pulled him close. “Always.”

–Emily Acker

How about you? Are you scared of the dark? Not being able to see what’s around you can be scary—and that’s true in life too. Perhaps you’re going through a difficult situation and don’t know how it’s going to turn out. Remember that even though you can’t see the future, God can, and He cares about you. Trust Him to be your light in the darkness and take care of you in every situation.

Today's Key Verse: The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: God sees in the dark