The Thick Darkness
“And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.” I Kings 8:10-12
Matthew Henry’s comments on the above verses are as follows…
[“Here, I. Solomon encourages the priests, who came out of the temple from their ministration, much astonished at the dark cloud that overshadowed them. The disciples of Christ feared when they entered into the cloud, though it was a bright cloud (Lu 9:34), so did the priests when they found themselves wrapped in a thick cloud. To silence their fears, 1. He reminds them of that which they could not but know, that this was a token of God’s presence (1Ki 8:12): The Lord said he would dwell in the thick darkness. It is so far from being a token of his displeasure that it is an indication of his favour; for he had said, I will appear in a cloud, Le 16:2.”]
Reading the above verses has often been a reminder to me of the Lord’s presence in times of “thick darkness” in our lives. Just as the priests were taken back by the dark cloud that had filled the house of the Lord, how often do we respond in fear and doubt to a dark cloud that seems to have stopped right over us? Instead of remembering that God has said He would never leave us nor forsake us…and this would include times of thick darkness…we question the Lord’s love and presence when He allows difficult trials to come our way.
The theme for this year’s ladies meeting is “Falling In Love With Jesus” and last evening, we enjoyed hearing Mrs. Carolyn Wells and Mrs. Grace Shifflett speak. As Mrs. Shifflett spoke on how to tell if we are falling in love with Jesus, one thing she reminded us concerning trials was God’s purpose for allowing them – to cause us to fall more in love with Him! As we draw closer to the Lord and cleave to Him during those times of “thick darkness”, we realize that HE ALONE is ALL we need!!
Does it seem as if a dark cloud has been following you around for some time now? Maybe the Lord is desiring to get your attention concerning sin in your life – He will tell you if you ask. But then, maybe God simply desires to have a closer fellowship with you. Instead of resisting the dark trial and even doubting the Lord’s presence, draw nigh to Him. He is waiting…
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
(Fanny Crosby)