Today, just as Charles Dickens wrote, many people know what it is to experience ‘a season of darkness’ and ‘the winter of despair’ in their lives. Yet, hard as it may be to imagine, ‘a season of darkness’ can be turned into a ‘season of light’ and ‘the winter of darkness’ can become ‘the spring of hope.’
On this Palm Sunday, as we look at three different events leading up to and during the crucifixion of Jesus, we see how each one of us can know God in a time of darkness.
1. We can know God when we really cry out to God (Luke 18:35-43)
2. We can know God when we joyfully praise God (Luke 19:35-40, Matthew 21:9-10, John 12:19, Psalm 34:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
3. We can know God when we totally surrender to God (Luke 23:46)
Apply
In the midst of difficult and dark times, do you cry out to God from your heart or do you withdraw from God? In his desperation, amidst the noise of the crowd, blind Bartimaeus shouted ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” This wasn’t a polite, quiet prayer; it was an urgent call for help. Despite those around him telling him to shut up, he chose to shout all the more for Jesus's attention, and through his determination, he succeeded. Jesus met with Bartimaeus, healed him there and then, and his life was instantly transformed. We too can receive answers from God when we cry out like Bartimaeus. Prayer is not just about saying prayers half-heartedly: you have to pray with all your heart. When you are desperate, you don’t care about anything else but connecting with God and getting your answers. Whatever difficult situation you may be in today with your health, your finances, your family or any other area, God will hear you when you seek Him with all your heart. You can know God when you really cry out to Him, so make a decision to cry out to God today.
Do you live a life of continual and joyful praise of God, or do your circumstances determine how you relate to God? Do you choose to praise God despite any difficulties you might be facing? In the story of Palm Sunday, we see how Jesus was loudly praised as he humbly came into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people praised God, recognising that the Son of God was among them. Jesus was welcomed as the long-awaited Messiah, the great deliverer from all oppression, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Bible, notably in the Psalms, tells us to praise God in all circumstances and in all ways (e.g. Psalm 34:1). And 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks." We are to remain joyful no matter what is happening in our lives because we have the Lord, and through Him we will overcome no matter what darkness surrounds us. When you focus on who Jesus is and learn to praise Him, you will be amazed how you can know His presence. One of the quickest ways to receive deliverance from depression and darkness is to praise God. So decide today to be a person who will always joyfully praise God no matter what.
Are you totally surrendered to the will of God for your life? Do you completely trust God for your family, home, health, finances, ministry, business, and future? Jesus had great power, but He died and was raised from the dead because he placed himself totally under the authority of God the Father, praying "not my will, but yours be done." At His most vulnerable moment, Jesus put his life and future totally in the hands of God the Father. For a moment on the Cross He felt totally forsaken. Yet He trusted God right to the end; the God who would permit Him to die but who would bring Him back to life. We too can safely put our lives in God’s hands, both in this life and for the life to come. Today, decide to surrender every area of your life and future into God's hands, and be assured that God has the very best way forward for you.
