Learning To Walk in the Dark

A study on the life of Abraham from Jack Hayford’s book Pursuing the Will of God is used as a resource for this devotion.

“After these things, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed, one born in my house is my heir!” (Genesis 15:1-3)

Genesis 15 speaks of a point in your life and mine when only a deeper manifestation of God Himself will enable us to understand His personal way with us and His plans for us. We can never keep growing in the Lord on the strength of past experiences. But at the same time, we must remember this: moving forward in the will of God means testing and challenge. A new revelation of Himself usually is accompanied by a corresponding test ... a difficulty ... the darkness that is designed to strengthen the core of our faith. There are no cheap price tags on “going deeper with God.”

Some folks speak of glorious past experiences with the Lord. I know I have. Perhaps you have as well. They (We) will describe great blessings and miracles of God’s grace and power but then relate coming to a place in our lives when the ‘spout where the glory comes out’ seemed to close off―and remain closed. The good times with t