This is a good story that reminded me that God is always with us even in 
the darkest times of our life. I hope it encourages you to continually 
trust the Lord and know that He will never leave your side no matter what
may be going wrong in your life. He is our bright and shining star, even
in the midst of the darkness. (Job 36:5-7) (Revelation 22:16)


EVEN IF IT'S DARK

He was a strong man facing an enemy beyond strength. His young wife had 
become gravely ill, then suddenly passed away, leaving the big man alone 
with a wide-eyed, flaxen-haired girl, not quite five years old. 

The service in the village chapel was simple, and heavy with grief. After
the burial at the small cemetery, the man's neighbors gathered around 
him. "Please, bring your little girl and stay with us for several days,"
someone said. "You shouldn't go back home just yet."

Broken hearted though he was, the man answered, "Thank you, friends, for 
the kind offer. But we need to go back home-where she was. My baby and I
must face this."

So they returned, the big man and his little girl, to what now seemed an 
empty, lifeless home. The man brought his daughter's little bed into his
room, so they could face the first dark night together. 

As the minutes slipped by that night, the young girl was having a dreadful
time trying to sleep...and so was her father. What could pierce a man's 
heart deeper than a child sobbing for a mother who would never come back?

Along into the night the little one continued to weep. The big man reached
down into her bed and tried to comfort her as best he could. After a while,
the little girl managed to stop crying-but only out of sorrow for her 
father. Thinking his daughter was asleep, the father looked up and said
brokenly, "I trust you, Father, but...it's as dark as midnight!"

Hearing her dad's prayer, the little girl began to cry again. 

"I thought you were asleep, baby," he said. 

"Papa, I did try. I was sorry for you. I did try. But-I couldn't go to
sleep. Papa, did you ever know it could be so dark? Why Papa? I can't 
even see you, it's so dark." Then, through her tears the little girl 
whispered, "But you love me even if it's dark-don't you, Papa?"

For an answer, the big man reached across with his massive hands, lifted 
his little girl out of her bed, brought her over onto his chest, and held
her, until at last she fell asleep. 

When she was finally quiet, he began to pray. He took his little daughters
cry to himself, and passed it up to God. 

"Father, it's as dark as midnight. I can't see you at all. But You love
me, even when it's dark and I can't see, don't you?"

From that blackest of hours, the Lord touched him with new strength, 
enabling him to carry on. He knew that God went on loving him, even in 
the dark. 

By Ron Mehl


Take this story as an encouragement to your heart and know that God is 
closest to you when you feel heartbroken and discouraged. Never allow the
enemy of hell to make you think that God has forgotten you or will not 
help you in the situation that seems hopeless. Our God is a loving father
who pities those who are downtrodden and has mercy on those who are of a 
broken heart. (Psalm 147:2-6) (Luke 18:27) (Luke 4:18)

I encourage you to take comfort in the Lord and know that He will never 
leave you nor forsake you. The Bible says that God holds you as the apple
of His eye and has even written your name on the palms of His hands. Call
upon the Lord if life seems overwhelming, and ask God to help and comfort
you while you are in the midst of the storm. He will be faithful to hear
and answer your heartfelt prayers. (Hebrews 13:5-6) (Psalm 17:8) (Isa. 49:16)


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Psalm 34:17-19 "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth 
them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a 
broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the 
afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

Psalm 3:4-8 "I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of 
His holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD 
sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have 
set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: 
for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast 
broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy 
blessing is upon thy people. Selah."

Jeremiah 33:2-3 "Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that 
formed it, to establish it; the LORD is His name; Call unto Me, and I will
answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Isaiah 26:3-4 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed 
on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for
in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."

All scriptures can be found in the King James Version.


Today's Selected Poem: TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY DAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem133.htm


In Christ's Service, 

Dwayne Savaya 
Gods Work Ministry