There are times in spiritual life when there is confusion, and it is no way out to say that there ought not to be confusion. It is not a question of right and wrong, but a question of God taking you by a way which in the meantime you do not understand, and it is only by going through the confusion that you will get at what God wants.

The Shrouding of His Friendship. Luke 11:5-8. Jesus gave the illustration of the man who looked as if he did not care for his friend, and He said that that is how the Heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think He is an unkind friend, but remember He is not; the time will come when everything will be explained. There is a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller communion. When God looks completely shrouded, will you hang on in confidence in Him?

The Shadow on His Fatherhood. Luke 11:11-13. Jesus says there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father, as if He were callous and indifferent, but remember He is not; I have told you - "Everyone that asketh receiveth." If there is a shadow on the face of the Father just now, hang onto it that He will ultimately give His clear revealing and justify Himself in all that He permitted.

The Strangeness of His Faithfulness. Luke 18:1-8. "When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Will He find the faith which banks on Him in spite of the confusion? Stand off in faith believing that what Jesus said is true, though in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you ask.

Summoned to the couch of a dying little girl, the mighty Master had time to tarry by the way until a poor helpless woman was healed by a touch of His garment. Meanwhile that little life had ebbed away , and human unbelief hastened to turn back the visit which was now too late. “Trouble not the Master; she is dead.” It was then that His strong and mighty love rose to its glorious height of power and victory . “Be not afraid,” is His calm reply; “Only believe and she shall be made whole.”

“Too late,” says Martha. “Four days buried.” But He only answers, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).

“Go to Him at midnight!” Let us go when all other doors are barred and even the heavens seem brass, for the gates of prayer are open evermore; and it is only when the sun is gone down and our pillow is but a stone of the wilderness that we behold the ladder that reaches unto heaven with our Infinite God above it, and the angels of His providence ascending and descending for our help and deliverance. He is a friend in extremity . He is able for the hardest occasions. He is seated on His throne for the very purpose of giving help in time of need.

No matter if the case is wholly hopeless, and your situation one where you have nothing, and the hour is dark as midnight, “Go to Him. ” Go to Him at midnigh t. He loves the hour of extremity . It is His chosen time of Almighty interposition.

“There’ s a budding morrow in midnight,” so fold your griefs away , and wait for the bud to open, a fragrant and fair new day. Wait for the bud to open, cease to worry and grope, “there’ s a budding morrow in midnight,” its name is The Dawn of Hope. A NEW TRAIL