Friday Jul 05, 2024

When It Looks the Darkest, God Shines the Brightest • Friday Service

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Tonight, we gather to reflect on the profound truth that when our circumstances seem darkest, God’s light shines the brightest. Throughout the Bible, we find numerous stories where God’s power and presence become most evident in times of great difficulty and despair. These stories remind us that God is always at work, even in our darkest moments, and His glory often shines through in the most unexpected ways.

1. Joseph’s Imprisonment and Rise to Power

Genesis 50:20 (NKJV) "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."

2. The Exodus and the Parting of the Red Sea

Exodus 14:13-14 (NKJV) "And Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.'"

3. Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Daniel 6:22-23 (NKJV) "My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.' Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God."

4. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:24-25 (NKJV) "Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, 'Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?' They answered and said to the king, 'True, O king.' 'Look!' he answered, 'I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.'"

5. Jesus Calms the Storm

Mark 4:39-40 (NKJV) "Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?'"

6. The Resurrection of Lazarus

John 11:43-44 (NKJV) "Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth!' And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Loose him, and let him go.'"

7. Paul and Silas in Prison

Acts 16:25-26 (NKJV) "But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed."