Lanterns In Darkest Corners

Are you in a corner full of darkness? Swimming in the pool of despair? Are things neither going good or bad?

Zephaniah 1:12 (NIV) “I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.”

Well, ouch!! I have been in this position before! I have sat in a place of being complacent thinking that God won’t do anything to or for me, good or bad. Wow! That He searches for me, even in the darkest corners!

This made me think of when I was caught in my addictions. How, I would do all things to feed those addictions, in the dark. Because I was so caught up in my selfishness and sinful desires, I didn’t see or hear the Lord and His voice. I didn’t read His word, or go to small groups. No studying of His word… yes, I did go to church – I had to keep up appearances after all LOL I just had a flash-back of just how much God really DID love me!! He actually got out His lanterns and searched me out!

I’m thinking of the many people I know both family and friends, that are caught in addictions right this moment. How some of them are choosing unwise paths to go down. They know Jesus, they have heard the truth, yet they are blinded by the devil and his army – they are living in darkness. Some of them have hit bottom, but most of them are swimming in the pool of disaster right at the edge of the pit that leads to their bottom. They are swimming around in the mud they “think” is fresh water. Sad. Hard to watch their downward spiral. Even harder not to be the one to “help” which is actually enabling them.

So, now, I am praying this verse for them. That God would get out His lanterns and search all of the darkest corners to find them. To rescue them. To deliver them. I pray that someone comes along that is filled with the Holy Spirit of Jesus and shines the light of truth on their living in a way that will open their blind eyes. That someone will show them the path that leads out of the darkness and into the true light of life – Jesus.

Recovery won’t be easy. Recovery won’t be fast. However, with Jesus guiding their way, they WILL make it out of the dark, and they WILL find restitution, joy, rest, peace, and most of all – LOVE! I know it, I believe it with all of my heart! It is in the darkest places that the light of Jesus shines the brightest.

Are you brave enough to pray for those in your life to have God search for and find them? Pray with me then, together in prayer, God will provide! Perhaps it is you that is hiding in the dark, thinking life is going pretty ok, and that you are out of God’s way. Kind of like a house full of kids, and there are always a couple that seem to lead the pack, get into trouble, are loud, someone always wants to be first… then there is the one in the corner, hiding out, staying back, keeping quiet… is that you? Listen, God is searching for YOU, just you. He wants you to experience His true life of joy, peace and love! Just because you haven’t been having things happen good or bad, in your eyes, doesn’t mean you are really on the right path with Jesus. Jesus is there, reaching out His hand, piercing the darkness with His light. Reach out and grab His hand, let Him pull you up and out of the corner, out of the darkness. I am praying for you dear friend! May you search for and find the best Friend you could ever want or dream to have – Jesus. I’m praying you are blessed with truth today. Be well. Be safe. Yes, be blessed.