What is a believer to do in times of darkness—a darkness of perplexities and confusion— a darkness not of the heart but of the mind? These times of darkness come to a faithful and believing disciple who is walking obediently in the will of God. They come as seasons when he does not know what to do or which way to turn. His sky becomes overcast with clouds, and the clear light of heaven does not shine on his path, so that he feels as if he were groping his way through complete darkness.

Dear believer, does this describe you? What should you do in times of darkness? Listen to God’s Word: “Let [him] . . . trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” Actually, the first thing to do is nothing. This is a difficult thing for our lowly human nature to do. There is a saying, “When you’re rattled, don’t rush.” In other words, “When you are confused and do not know what to do, do nothing.” When you find yourself in a spiritual fog, do not run ahead, but slow the pace of your life. And if necessary, keep your life’s ship anchored or tied to the dock.

The right thing is simply to trust God, for while we trust, He can work. Worrying, however, prevents Him from doing anything for us. If the darkness covering us strikes terror in our hearts and we run back and forth, seeking in vain to find a way of escape from the dark trial where God’s providence has placed us, then the Lord cannot work on our behalf.

Only the peace of God will quiet our minds and put our hearts at rest. We must place our hand in His as a little child and allow Him to lead us into the bright sunshine of His love. He knows the way out of the dense, dark forest, so may we climb into His arms, trusting Him to rescue us by showing us the shortest and most reliable road. DR. PARDINGTON

Remember, we are never without a pilot—even when we do not know which way to steer.

Hold on, my heart, in your believing— Only the steadfast wins the crown; He who, when stormy winds are heaving, Parts with his anchor, will go down; But he who Jesus holds through all, Will stand, though Heaven and earth should fall.

Hold on! An end will come to sorrow; Hope from the dust will conquering rise; The storm foretells a summer’s morrow; The Cross points on to Paradise; The Father reigns! So cease all doubt; Hold on, my heart. Hold on, hold out.

Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.

Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.—Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.—Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.

Lo, I am with you alway.—I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.—The Comforter . . . dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Who is among you that feareth the Lord , that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord , and stay upon his God.—Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.—The commandment is a lamp, and the law is light.

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord , because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!