Submitted by Pastor Julie Sanders, Tarkio and Westboro United Methodist Churches

Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12

Looking back throughout our history, we can see that uncertainty has long been part of the human story. I imagine a big part of our uncertainty comes from the fact that we simply don’t know what the future holds. Add to that fires, COVID-19, a presidential election, an economy attempting to recover from a global pandemic, racial tensions, a country divided, and it can make life seem dark and overwhelming. But even in the darkest of moments, we are never in the darkness. Like Psalm 139:12 tells us: “Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

With God there is no uncertainty. We may not understand exactly what He is doing, none of us knows exactly what our nation will face in the immediate future but no matter how uncertain the future may seem we can take comfort in knowing that God is lighting the way. Scripture is full of times of uncertainty – yet God was always lighting the path.

Do you remember Moses? To a bunch of enslaved Jews there didn’t seem to be a lot of hope. Then God acted and sent Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery and into the promised land. What seemed like the worst of times proved to be God leading His people through the darkness. What about the early church? They faced persecution, war, famine. Yet, God exploded the church throughout all the known world.

Uncertainty is something that God’s people has faced repeatedly. And every time uncertainty has abounded, we see one theme consistently emerging. God is a light in the darkness. For me, a light in the darkness is the promise that God goes with us. We are never alone. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread . . . for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Even Jesus’ final words to his disciples before ascending to Heaven were a promise: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” In a time when uncertainty surrounds us, we have the promise that God goes before us, even the darkness gives us light. With God there is never uncertainty; just a trust that He will be with us – lighting our path. Blessings!