The Dark Night of the SoulSample

Jesus

“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11

Our Lord Jesus Christ entered our humanity, becoming one of us so he could encounter our sinful world. Though He was God, He allowed Himself to feel real pain and darkness. Nowhere is this clearer than in the account of Jesus’ last night on earth before His crucifixion. He was in Gethsemane, pouring His heart out in anguish to the Father, while His disciples were dozing off nearby.

“He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.'” Matthew 26:37-38

If you read the account of Jesus tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days, another of Jesus’ battles with darkness, Luke 4:13 reads, “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Him until an opportune time.” On this agonizing dark night, as Jesus faced the cross and all the sin of humanity, this was Satan’s “opportune time.” Listen to our dear, gracious Lord …

“‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:42-44

Jesus had a Dark Night of the Soul, so why shouldn’t we. As followers of Christ, our goal is to be like Him, and if that is so, He will have to take us where He has been. “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 Yet, BECAUSE He entered the flesh of man, He can help us:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

We also get more encouragement from God’s Word:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Brothers and Sisters,

In the midst of the Darkness, if you trust God and press into Him, you will find:

• A closer union with God
• A new perspective and identity
• Tangible blessings
• Grace and Power
• A special closeness with Christ as you let His Light take the darkness away

Lord, bless the readers of this devotional, especially anyone who finds themselves in a Dark Night of the Soul. Lord, assure them You are with them in the midst of the darkness and that you would not have allowed it if you didn’t have something special on the other side of it. Please let them know if they were encouraged by this devotional, it is because of your direct word to them. You love them. You know where they are right now. You care. You are the light, and You are the restorer of our souls. We give you our lives, and we walk in the ways of your saints and the path of our Savior. In His Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen