January 2 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 4–6; Matthew 2

Trusting God in the Dark

Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God. Isaiah 50:10

READ Isaiah 50:7–11

Andrew and his wife Norine lived and worked in Turkey for two decades, sharing the love of Jesus. In 2016 they expected to receive permanent residency in their adopted country, but instead they were arrested on charges of espionage. Although the government authorities released Norine, Andrew ended up spending over two years in prison before finally being set free.

In captivity he felt broken. He had expected that God would carry him above his circumstances, “into joy”, and that he would sense God’s presence. Instead, he felt “abandoned by God”. He later admitted that he had to learn the lesson of Isaiah 50:10: “Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.” He reflected, “God was teaching me to stand in the dark, to persevere apart from my feelings, perceptions and circumstances.”

The prophet Isaiah was writing to God’s people, split into the northern and southern kingdoms, calling them back to God. He said that if they feared and obeyed God, even whenever they walked in the dark, they would be able to rely on Him. They only needed to look to Him.

Even as Andrew trusted, so can we. Whatever our situation, God won’t leave us or forsake us. We might not always sense Him at work, but He promises that He will be with us.

By Amy Boucher Pye

How do you believe God’s promises when you feel like you’re walking in the dark? How has God answered your prayers when you’ve trusted in Him at such times?

Loving God, thank You that You’ll never abandon me. Strengthen my faith in You, even when I experience trials and pain.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary gives this description of Jesus Christ as the Suffering Servant: “[In Isaiah 50:1–11] it is revealed how the Servant learned through his own rejection to comfort the weary and discouraged. The phrase ‘Sovereign Lord’ occurs four times and may be better translated ‘My Master God.’ It emphasized that the Servant had a Master (God) to whom he submitted and in whom he found help. The ‘words of wisdom’ (50:4) was a reference to his speaking or prophetic ministry. The followers of the Servant were called upon to trust in God, who would bring judgment upon the disobedient ( 50:10–11).”