Acts 1:4b – Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. (NIV)

Mark 16:19 – After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. (NIV)

When the light returns here in the far north of Canada after the long, dark days of winter, people feel such relief. Another cold, dark season is behind us. The long days of light, up to 22 hours of it, are spread before us.

Jesus went through a long, dark time from the moment when He was arrested in the garden until He called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." And then, He breathed his last.

The disciples also weathered a great period of darkness upon the death of Christ. Yet after their times of darkness, a great time of relief occurred. Christ rose from the dead, ascended back into heaven, and sat at the right hand of God, in perfect light and holiness. And the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, went forth in great power and confidence to teach, heal, and preach the gospel wherever they were led.

Times of darkness are never easy nor encouraging for anyone. And yet, we are all called from time to time to endure them. When we do, I have found that one of the best ways to successfully navigate them is to remember this promise from God as found in the Scriptures:

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

Trusting in the right thing or the right person changes everything when it comes to walking through and enduring the dark times of life successfully. When our trust is placed in the solid foundation of God's truth as found in the Scriptures and the undeniable Rock of the person of Jesus Christ, Who will never leave nor forsake us, we, too, are empowered, just like Christ and His disciples, to walk in obedience and faith until the day of relief comes upon us.

So today, may each of us, whether we are walking through a dark time or not, choose to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. May we acknowledge Him in all our ways so that He will make our paths straight. Let us trust Him, and He will lead us to the very best destination that God has prepared for us, a destination that will bring us relief as our darkness transforms into His wonderful light.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that we can trust in You and know that we will never be let down by You. For You are loyal and steadfast, the Rock of all ages. Empower us to have the faith to trust in You with all of our heart, to lean not upon our own understanding, but in all our ways to acknowledge You with joy, knowing that as we choose to do so, You will indeed lead us straight to the best destination for us. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.