Time to shine

Psalm 74:15-17 NIV

It was You who opened up springs and streams; You dried up the ever-flowing rivers. [16] The day is Yours, and Yours also the night; You established the sun and moon. [17] It was You who set all the boundaries of the earth; You made both summer and winter.

This cluster of verses really struck home to me afresh this morning.

How often have I thought that God had left me when times of darkness, dryness or soul-winter were upon me.

Yet joyous times of plenty, laughter and health and crippling illness, poverty and grief both belong to the God we serve.

When you're sad, lonely or depressed - the Lord is just as close, just as faithful, just as loving and forgiving as when everything is "hunky- dory"!

Somehow hard times reveal the real character of a person.

Hear Job's wise words to his wife when he'd lost so much:

Job 2:10 NIV

He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

She encouraged him to curse God and die, but Job's heart was steadfast even in disaster.

Most of Jesus' disciples

faced martyrdom because they refused to recant their faith in Him. Had the Lord deserted them? Had He forsaken them in their hour of need?

I say no, He was closer than ever and many more were convinced via their valiant deaths than ever they had been in their lives.

Look at Stephen, the first martyr for Jesus, how he shined as he was being stoned:

Acts 7:55-56,59-60 NIV

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. [56] “Look,” he said, “I see Heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the Right Hand of God.” [59] While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” [60] Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

In the darkest, fiercest time, Stephen shone, like a star in the night of a desert sky.

Saul (who became Paul) was watching this. It must have stuck like a thorn in his soul during his persecuting actions.

When you face that darkness, that illness, that loneliness it's your time to shine - shine brightly for your precious Saviour.

By His amazing grace, you can!