-
Holding onto Faith in the Dark (Part 2)
Holding onto Faith in the Dark (Part 1) describes my husband’s and my initial visit to Hong Kong and the Pastor Search Committee’s invitation to return for a trial sermon. Yet we struggled with practical concerns about a potential move. How could we respond to the needs of aging parents and young adult children? The church was warm and welcoming, but we knew precious little about Chinese culture. We grew up in wide open spaces, yet Hong Kong’s buildings and almost seven million individuals crowded every available area. The church was English-friendly, but was the rest of the city? Would God call people like us to a place like that? We bombarded heaven with pleas for clarification.
Joseph also faced an unknown future. After his first dream, he followed the angel’s instructions and married Mary, taking on himself the shame that accompanied her unwed pregnancy. However, after a few short months, the darkness and uncertainty returned. Rome demanded that everyone travel to the town of their ancestors to register.
Dream #2 ~ A New Call to Hold onto Faith in the Dark
Joseph must have hesitated to take his pregnant wife on the ninety-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Rome, however, demanded his presence. Mary gave birth after they arrived. The young family later moved to a house where wise men from the East found them. Imagine the villagers’ shock when the foreigners’ entourage and camels paraded through Bethlehem. After the Magi presented their gifts to the new king, God warned them in a dream not to report to Herod. Instead, they should return home another way. Although Joseph knew God had led the men to Bethlehem, he must have questioned whether he could trust the Magi’s words. Did God also speak to non-Jews in the night?
Again, God spoke to Joseph in a dream, alerting him to Herod’s plan to murder the boy he considered a threat to his throne. “Get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you” (Matthew 2:13 NIV). Ignoring his pounding heart, Joseph obeyed, holding onto his faith despite the darkness and taking Mary and Jesus to Egypt, where a thriving Jewish community existed. How long would they be refugees? Would the gold, frankincense, and myrrh provide enough for their needs?
Herod, enraged by the Magi’s cunning and unaware of Joseph’s departure, murdered all boys under two in Bethlehem. Because Joseph followed God’s leadership, he saved Jesus from Herod’s evil intentions.
Dream #3 ~ Partial Clarity
God communicated with Joseph in another dream after Herod died. “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead” (Matthew 2:20 NIV). Joseph responded by holding onto his faith in the dark and taking his young family to Israel, but then he wondered where they should settle. Should they return to Bethlehem?
Dream #4 ~ God Rewards Holding onto Faith Despite Uncertainty
Ever aware of his children’s questions, God warned Joseph in another dream to avoid Judea because Archelaus, the cruel son of Herod, reigned there. So, Joseph led Mary and Jesus to Nazareth in Galilee.
God came to Joseph in the dark four times, speaking to him in his dreams and calling on him to live out his faith in the dark. In each instance, God told him the next step, not the entire plan.
God Still Speaks
After much prayer about the Hong Kong church’s invitation, Harry sensed no direction from the Lord, so with a heavy heart, he refused. We grieved to let such an opportunity slip through our fingers but interpreted God’s lack of response as his answer. Yet sometimes God’s silence means “Not now” instead of “No.” The only way to know is to keep listening.
Much to our surprise, God began speaking through daily devotions, his Word, music, and sermons. No matter the delivery method, his message was the same: “Go.” Rather than address our concerns, he called us to exercise our faith in the dark by following him. Harry called the chairman of the Pastor Search Committee and asked whether they still wanted us to come. After an affirmative answer, we made plans to return to Hong Kong for the trial sermon, willing to move if they extended the call. They did, and we did.
Why does God make us wait in the dark? Darkness presents an opportunity to practice trust by holding onto our faith. Perhaps, in our case, the Lord wanted to stretch us, prepare the church, or arrange circumstances. I didn’t understand God’s silence, but he spoke when the time was right.
What About You?
Are you in the dark and searching for God’s answers? Maybe you need his direction for the next steps to take in your job, mend a broken relationship, or solve a financial dilemma. You’re not alone, and his delayed answer is not a denial of his love and faithfulness. While you wait, he’s at work. Ask God to show you a godly Christian who will listen and pray with you. In addition, please share how those of us who are your fellow strugglers can pray with and for you. You can use the Comments box below.
The Lord hears the cries of our hearts and delights in our desire to do his will. What he does in us while we wait is often as important as what we’re waiting for. When we hold onto our faith in the dark, God furthers his plan, accomplishes his purposes, and grows our relationship with him. Will you listen for God’s voice and obey his directions even in the dark?
“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18 NIV)
May all the peace, love, and joy of Jesus be yours as you celebrate the birth of Christ, Immanuel, God with us!
Holding onto Faith in the Dark (Part 2) by @NLucenay on Beyond the Front Door Share on X -
Keys to Increase Contentment
“Mom, I have a brain tumor”—words guaranteed to cause a parent’s heart to skip several beats. How can anyone be content in the face of such dark and devastating news from a loved one? Two weeks after my friend and fellow pastor’s wife, Nancy Wilson, turned in the manuscript for her book Learning Contentment, her son shared his diagnosis with her. His brain surgery and the release of her book would occur on the same day. As Nancy sees it, God’s timing is impeccable. Since he doesn’t tolerate hypocrites, he gave her an opportunity to practice what she preaches. With his help, she increased her contentment by refusing to let discontent derail her peace.
The evil one uses every available means to tempt us to dissatisfaction. Our temptations may come through physical, financial, or family issues. By focusing on someone else’s apparent success or blessings, I fail to appreciate God’s gifts to me. I long to control my circumstances, thinking I could eliminate my struggles if only I could reform other people or rearrange my situation. Have you been there? Our imaginations deceive us. To find contentment, we must surrender control and submit to God’s wisdom.
Unlike my friend, who is committed to contentment, I sometimes identify with Jacob’s wife, Rachel, who allowed discontent to steal her joy.
A Shaky Start
By the time Rachel reached marriageable age, Scripture reports she “had a lovely figure and was beautiful” (Genesis 29:17 NIV). She seemed to have bested her older sister, Leah, in the honor competition since the biblical author described Leah as having “weak eyes.” Smitten by Rachel’s beauty, Jacob agreed to work seven years for her hand. But the sisters’ father tricked Jacob into marrying Leah first, requiring Jacob to work another seven years for Rachel. Although enraged at his father-in-law’s deception, Jacob agreed. Was Rachel privy to the plan? Did she agree? Some rabbis think so.
After Leah’s wedding week concluded, Jacob married Rachel, the love of his life. She expected her contentment to increase with marital bliss and the birth of many babies.
Discontent Derails Rachel’s Contentment
“When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless” (Genesis 29:31 NIV). Rachel may have won Jacob’s heart, but Leah won the child-bearing contest by giving Jacob four sons. Overwhelmed with discontent, Rachel demanded of Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” (Genesis 30:1 NIV). Unlike Hannah, who handled her infertility with grace and prayer, Rachel felt entitled to motherhood. Being the favorite wife wasn’t enough; she thought contentment depended on having everything she wanted.
After about ten years, God enabled Rachel to conceive, which removed the shame of her barrenness. Birthing a son brought Rachel honor but not contentment. She named her baby Joseph (meaning “may he add”), saying, “May the Lord add to me another son” (Genesis 30:24 NIV). Rather than bringing fulfillment, the birth stoked Rachel’s appetite. She couldn’t be grateful for or enjoy God’s gift because she wanted more. I’ve been guilty of such greed. Have you?
Discontent defined and defiled Rachel’s heart and led to her death. Her demand became her destiny—she died giving birth to her second son.
Keys to Increase Contentment
Like Rachel, many of us struggle to be at peace with what, where, who, or how we are. Our discontent results from searching for contentment in the wrong places—possessions, achievements, appearance, circumstances, relationships, or feelings. No matter how much we have, it’s not enough. How can we increase our level of contentment?
- Express thanks for what we have rather than complaining about what we lack. Gratitude opens the door to contentment, not because life is good but because God is.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
- Exercise Holy Spirit strength to align our thoughts with Jesus’ message and mission. Reframe challenges as chances to shine God’s light and love into the darkness.
“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV).
- Expect disappointments this side of heaven. God often does his deepest work in hard times. He uses our trials to make us more like Jesus.
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:28-29 NIV).
- Entrust our requests to God’s will and way. Refuse anxiety and rely on him to know and do what’s right when it’s right.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6 NIV).
Hope for Growing Our Contentment
We expect contentment when God grants our requests, but that’s not how it works. We find the peace and joy we desire when we delight in him, no matter our circumstances.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 ESV).
What keys to increasing contentment have you discovered? Please share so we can learn from you.
"Keys to Increase Contentment" by @Nlucenay on Beyond the Front Door Share on X
