15 SEPTEMBER
DARKEST BEFORE DAWN
“Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, went up and came to the house of God and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.” (Judges 20:26, NKJV)
Is it literally true that the darkest period is just before dawn? Not really. The metaphorical meaning, however, is that most often, things are at their worst before they get better. It is to emphasise that there is always hope in desperate situations, and to encourage perseverance. “Night” is used as a metaphor for things like life struggles and bad situations. However, in the darkness of the night, just when hope seems lost, dawn is just a few moments away to renew that hope.
The children of Israel were angry with their brethren, the Benjamites, who had behaved wickedly, raping the wife of a Levite till she died. They gave the Benjamites the opportunity to repent and release the evil men for justice but they refused because they trusted in their military might. This was a night period for Israel. Israel inquired of the Lord and received an approval for battle.
Battle day 1: 22,000 Israeli men of valour were killed. As the night moved on, it got darker. They went back to God who said they should keep going.
Battle day 2: 18,000 Israeli men of valour were killed. What a disaster! What a turmoil! The night was at its darkest in Israel. Was this a time to give up or keep going? What we do in the night period determines what we receive at dawn. They all gathered before God with weeping, fasting and offerings. And the Lord said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.”
Battle day 3: The men of Benjamin were completely routed and destroyed, their city burnt down and only a few escaped. The dawn had come.
Israel kept going, they persevered as the Lord had said and the battle was won. When God fights for us, it doesn’t matter how strong, how valiant the warriors that fight against us are–victory is assured.
ACTION: Resolve not be discouraged by setbacks but to persevere till the counsel of God stands in your life.
PRAYER: Father, help me not to faint in the day of adversity. Keep me strong.