God sees as well in the dark as He does in the light ∙∙

God sees as well in the dark as He does in the light ∙∙

O LORD, You have searched me and known me. – Psalms 139:1

Psalms 139:1-12

 1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.

 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.

 5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

 7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never escape your presence!

 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night –

 12 but even in darkness, I cannot hide from you. To you, the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

We are Not Meant to Face Life Alone

Humanity has always sought the comfort of companionship. This deep-seated desire is beautifully illustrated in James Fenimore Cooper’s “The Last of the Mohicans.” In the story’s haunting conclusion, Chingachgook is left alone after the total destruction of his tribe. He poignantly declares, “I, Chingachgook, Last of the Mohicans.” His words serve as a sobering reminder of a profound truth about human existence: we are not meant to face life alone.

The Universal Fear of Abandonment

The fear of abandonment is one of our most fundamental and primal emotions. Whether we are aware of it or not, fear has a profound influence on us. However, it is not the fear itself that jeopardizes our relationships but rather how we respond to it. Our reactions, often rooted in insecurity and pain, can unintentionally create damage, perpetuating the very isolation we dread. 

We must recognize that fear is a natural part of being human; it is not something we create for ourselves. Fear often arises unexpectedly and without invitation, serving as a byproduct of our experiences. While we cannot control when fear emerges, but we can control how we respond to it. Rather than allowing fear to dictate our actions,  we can embrace it and learn to manage it effectively. How?

Seeking Strength Through Faith

Our ability to cope with the fear of abandonment is not something we have to achieve on our own. We can develop inner resilience and strength to face our fears with courage and confidence. Through the eyes of faith, we recognize a profound truth: we are never truly alone. The Father is always present and available to provide us comfort, guidance, and the strength to overcome feelings of rejection. As children of the King, we are equipped with everything we need to overcome issues of abandonment.

At times, our struggles may lead us to believe that we are destined to endure rejection in isolation. However, this perception is misleading. Although we often feel alone, abandoned, and misunderstood, it only “seems” that way. Even when we feel invisible, the Father sees the pain we carry. He knows us intimately, understands our struggles, and empathizes with our pain.

God’s Omniscience and Compassion

When we reflect deeply, we realize that our omniscient Father God sees all, knows all, anticipates all, and is prepared for all. His omniscience is not just about possessing knowledge; it reflects His active care for us. The Father anticipates our needs and intervenes with intention and precision. The Scriptures repeatedly remind us of His purposeful acts of love. Parables and stories serve as testimonies to the enduring truth of His compassion.

Still, there is a distinction between knowing something intellectually and experiencing it fully. It is one thing to know and understand the promises of God, but it is another to live in their truth and feel them transform our lives.

Facing Challenges with the Father’s Support

Stanley writes, “As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances. God does not want us to run away from our problems, but to face them with His help.” This enlightened perspective challenges us to reframe our struggles in a new light. What we perceive as abandonment is, in fact, the chance to lean into God’s presence, allowing Him to shape us in ways we could not achieve alone.

REFLECT & PRAY

We are not alone; we are not abandoned. God’s love for us remains unwavering, even when we feel insignificant and worthless. Our Father understands our failures, flaws, and wounds. He is the perfect empath, bearing our burdens as if they were His own.

Father, in the midst of anguish and isolation, I feel the weight of loneliness. Yet, I trust your Word, which reminds me of your constant presence. Draw near to me as I seek You, and help me to rely on Your unfailing love. Thank You for being my strength and my refuge.

INSIGHT

Lessons of Faith from Lint

At first glance, dealing with lint from freshly purchased bath towels might seem mundane, even trivial. Yet, there’s a valuable life lesson hidden within this ordinary chore. Just as towels require repeated washing to remove lint, our spiritual lives require ongoing refinement and cleansing.

Approaching the Father Without Fear

We are encouraged, time and again, to approach the Father confidently. Without fear of judgment or recrimination, He invites us into His presence, eager to welcome us with mercy and grace.

In Hebrews 4:16, the author extends a special invitation to every child of the King.“Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

However, just as lint clings stubbornly to fabric, there may be impediments in our hearts that need clearing away before we can fully receive God’s grace. The Scriptures underscore the importance of removing these pieces of spiritual “lint.”

Hebrews 10:22 provides a delightful promise: “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

The Apostle James offers a similar sentiment in James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

The Refiner’s Process

When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, our sins are forgiven once and for all. It is as though all the visible lint of sin is washed away thoroughly. However, as we journey through life, deeper issues hidden within us bubble up. These moments are part of the Father’s ongoing refining process. They remind us of our need for continual spiritual cleansing, provided only through the sacrifice of Christ.

The Apostle John explains in 1 John 1:7-9: “But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Recognizing and addressing our sins can be a vulnerable experience, but it is also where true spiritual growth begins.

The Process of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a spiritual process that begins with humility and recognition. As we immerse ourselves in the Word of God, the Father’s righteous standards guide us toward authentic self-awareness. As previously unknown issues arise, we recognize and acknowledge them. Through prayer, we confess our sins in a manner that is truthful and earnest, aligning our hearts with His.

This is made possible because of the unshakable foundation of Christ’s sacrifice. By His blood, our sins are completely wiped away, and God no longer holds our sins against us. Yet, despite our redemption, the human inclination toward sin remains. Our propensity for sin remains a lurking consequence of our flawed DNA.

Even so, we are called to live lives that please the Father, steadfast in our faith and sincere in our pursuit of righteousness.

The author of Hebrews makes it quite clear in Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”

The prophet Isaiah declared in Isaiah 55:6-9: “‘Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked abandon their ways, and the unrighteous their thoughts; and let them return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on them, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”

The Gift of Grace

Ultimately, forgiveness is not something we can earn; it is a magnificent gift of grace that the Father bestows on those who seek Him sincerely. Just as lint, no matter how stubborn, gradually disappears with care and persistence, our spiritual blemishes can be washed away through faith, confession, and the cleansing power of God’s mercy.

Seek Him now. Draw near. The grace and forgiveness you need are already within reach, waiting to renew your heart and strengthen your spirit.

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© Dr. H 2025