MORNING MANNA 10-27-23
SINGING IN THE DARK
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:1–3
Scrolling through my drafts I came to this post I had not yet sent. The noted blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby was not born blind. When she was a baby, a doctor’s careless error in treating a minor eye infection left her completely unable to see. It is a tragedy to be blind or to suffer some other physical limitation or loss. Yet tragedies do not have to dictate our outlook. It is said that later in her life Fanny Crosby told a friend that if she met the doctor whose mistreatment led to her blindness she would thank him because being blind had meant that the first face she would see with recognition would be her Saviour’s face in Heaven. She had chosen to regard her blindness as a gift rather than allowing it to destroy her attitude toward God.
All of us have problems, difficulties, and challenges. Christians often allow these problems to control their attitudes, leaving them discouraged and bitter. Yet it does not have to be that way. When Paul and Silas were in Philippi, they were beaten severely and thrown into jail because they had cast a demon out of a young woman. They had done nothing wrong, and many would think they had grounds to complain, but their response was different. “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25). When we understand that God is in control and that there are no accidents in the Christian life, we can maintain our joy no matter what comes. This allows us to continue to sing even during dark days. Since God is the source of our song, we can have joy regardless of our situation or suffering.
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx
