How many times have you seen true darkness? I remember going down into a cave with a group of people. The guide said, "In a minute, we will turn off the lights, and you will see, perhaps for the first time, real darkness." Before that, we had been admiring God's beauty all around in the cave structures, and we could see the guide, who knew how to get us out of there. Once the lights went out, even after my eyes adjusted, I could see nothing, not even the end of my nose. I found myself in a bit of a panic until I heard the tour guide's voice. I was tempted to go toward his voice, grab him by the ankles, and hang on for dear life. Are you beginning to see the darkness?

Today, I read Psalm 134, which is only three verses long.

Psalm 134:1-3 – Now praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand in the Lord's house at night! Lift up your hands in the holy place and praise the Lord! May the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion. (HCSB)

I have gone through times in my life when sadness was a dark, dark veil, and the darkness of the burdens that I carried kept me from seeing the light. Satan has a way of blocking our memory of praiseworthy things when we are in the dark. In those times, I have tried to think of blessings that I have received, only to see more darkness. As the psalmist says in verse 2, I have found that in those times, I have to lift my hands in praise anyway.

As I sat one day in a very dark hour, I tried to lift my hands in praise, but they would not go up, because I could see only darkness. The eyes of my heart darted back and forth for something praiseworthy, but the darkness blinded me. As I sat there, all I could see were my ugly feet, and there was nothing praiseworthy there. In desperation, I began to praise God for my feet. I understand that without toes, it is hard to keep our balance, so I began to thank Him for all my toes. When I saw the imperfections of my funky toenails, my mind quickly headed back to the darkness, but I continued to my ankles. The first thing that came to my mind was "thick", and thick isn't good, but I praised Him anyway. I continued until my hands were in the air, even in the dark. By then, as verse 3 states, the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, blessed my heart. I could see the flicker of light in my dark world. Sometimes, we just need to start somewhere and give Him praise for the simple things, even the funky things!

My burdens were still there, but I could hear the voice of the Guide, and I was able to give praise even in that dark hour. I was confident that my Guide knew the way out of my darkness, and I listened for His voice.

Start praising God right now, even for your funky feet! Praise the Lord!

Prayer: Holy Father, forgive us for running to Satan's false guides. Help us to have eyes that see You even in the hard times. Amen.

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About the author:

Jeanie Nihiser <jnihiserj@gmail.com>
Geneseo, New York, USA
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