"I remember when" stories are great...except they tend to reveal your age and that's not good for a woman trying to hide hers...grin...but here goes! I remember when...as a VERY little girl, I would be scared out of my wits by a warning siren indicating all lights must go out, all window shades must be pulled. It was World War II. It was time for a test blackout to prepare for any possible enemy attack. Thank God, the attack did not come, the little girl in New Jersey was safe, and the lights did come back on!
...but not in California! For years later, in 2001, we watch the news and hear of the energy crisis causing rolling blackouts on the West Coast. Stay tuned--it's a real blackout that could spread across the USA should we not find practical ways to avert it. "A REAL blackout!" we say--we saw it happen on CNN, NBC, ABC--or whatever channel you watch! But hold on, for...
Another "blackout" took place two thousand years ago, the "REAL" blackout of all time--as God turned His face away from His Son bearing the sin of us all. The sky turned black in mid-day, for the longest three hours of all time, as saint and sinner alike felt the dark chill and reality of it all. A TERRIBLE or TRIUMPHANT event...which was it??
BOTH! You see, the terrible dark isolation and desolation our Lord experienced, as He cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me?" was not in vain. It turned into triumph--for Him, for His Father, for you and for me. It brought about the complete resolution of the sin problem then; and it brings hope to our heavy hearts today. Why? Because a God who's been in the dark Himself knows how to comfort, strengthen and stand along aside any one of His children in their own dark place.
The sky may turn black, your spirit tested in the darkest time of your life--but remember, you serve the Lord of Light and Life and He's been there before you. The Father allowed Him to be left alone in the dark, so YOU need NEVER be! The next time Satan attacks, remind him, "I remember when..." Point him to the Cross where the REAL blackout occurred--where our Lord experienced darkness and death for us all. Believe it--and let the light of the Resurrected Lord arise on your life this day!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
Bible Gateway.com - Matthew 27:45-54 - The REAL Blackout in God's Word!
"...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5 KJV)."
"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy;
...when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me (Micah 7:8 KJV)."
Draw from the Well--a prayer for renewing strength for this day
"Lord, thank You for experiencing the darkness and aloneness of Calvary so I need never be alone again. Thank You for walking beside me--in the dark--and for lighting my way with Your love, strength and grace. I rely on You this day to bring me through, In Jesus' Name, Amen."
