rule the dark pastor clay nesmith april 16, 2017
RULE THE DARK PASTOR CLAY NESMITH APRIL 16, 2017 Darkness can create feelings of fear or insecurity, and cause our imaginations to run wild. But, darkness can also be a place where we are able to rest; it can set us up for a refreshing night’s sleep. The enemy of our soul wants to use the darkness to hold us back. If we’re not careful, dark moments will stalemate us. But God can use the darkness to build our trust in Him to keep us moving forward, and prepare us to walk in the light when morning comes. In the book of Joshua, God gives us a physical illustration of how to come out of the darkness into the light. A whole generation of people didn’t experience the Promised Land because they couldn’t trust God—except for two, one of whom was named Joshua. Joshua became the leader of the Israelites, who now lived in the Promised Land. They faced a tough battle in Gibeon because they had forgotten to consult with God about their next move. Joshua 10:7-13
So Joshua and his entire army, including his best warriors, left Gilgal and set out for Gibeon. “Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.” Joshua traveled all night from Gilgal and took the Amorite armies by surprise. The Lord threw them into a panic, and the Israelites slaughtered great numbers of them at Gibeon. Then the Israelites chased the enemy along the road to Beth-horon, killing them all along the way to Azekah and Makkedah. As the Amorites retreated down the road from Beth-horon, the Lord destroyed them with a terrible hailstorm from heaven that continued until they reached Azekah. The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword. On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.
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RULE THE DARK PASTOR CLAY NESMITH APRIL 16, 2017 Gilgal was to the east, and Gibeon was to the west. The Israelites traveled west all night long, which meant that in the morning, the sun rose behind them, shining bright in the faces of their enemies.
God uses the dark—the night does not rule Him. He uses the darkness to set up His people for victory once the sun rises. Whenever darkness strikes, don’t hide or retreat—stop, consult with God, and trust that He is at work in the dark. Luke 23:44-45
By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.
Only certain Jewish religious leaders, at certain times, were allowed to go past the Temple’s curtain, into a part of the Temple that housed the presence of God on Earth. It seemed that darkness was taking over, but God was working to allow humanity to access Him. Now, every human has the opportunity to have full access to God. Luke 23:46
Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
Jesus knew that the darkness did not rule Him. He knew He would rise up from the dead and rule over the dark. God is the same God whether in the dark or in the light. Jesus rose from the grave to shine the light in the face of the enemy, and to illuminate the path for all who would trust in Him.
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RULE THE DARK PASTOR CLAY NESMITH APRIL 16, 2017
Group Questions Are you afraid of the dark, or were you afraid as a child? What emotions did darkness stir up in you? What dark moments have stalemated you in the past? One of the reasons the Israelites faced a difficult battle at Gibeon was because they’d forgotten to talk with God, but He was still there for them in the midst of the battle. What does that tell you about our God? What does it meant to consult with God? How can we trust God and consult with Him, even in our dark moments?
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So Joshua and his entire army, including his best warriors, left Gilgal and set out for Gibeon. “Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.” Joshua traveled all night from Gilgal and took the Amorite armies by surprise. The Lord threw them into a panic, and the Israelites slaughtered great numbers of them at Gibeon. Then the Israelites chased the enemy along the road to Beth-horon, killing them all along the way to Azekah and Makkedah. As the Amorites retreated down the road from Beth-horon, the Lord destroyed them with a terrible hailstorm from heaven that continued until they reached Azekah. The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword. On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.
PAGE 1
RULE THE DARK PASTOR CLAY NESMITH APRIL 16, 2017 Gilgal was to the east, and Gibeon was to the west. The Israelites traveled west all night long, which meant that in the morning, the sun rose behind them, shining bright in the faces of their enemies.
God uses the dark—the night does not rule Him. He uses the darkness to set up His people for victory once the sun rises. Whenever darkness strikes, don’t hide or retreat—stop, consult with God, and trust that He is at work in the dark. Luke 23:44-45
By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.
Only certain Jewish religious leaders, at certain times, were allowed to go past the Temple’s curtain, into a part of the Temple that housed the presence of God on Earth. It seemed that darkness was taking over, but God was working to allow humanity to access Him. Now, every human has the opportunity to have full access to God. Luke 23:46
Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
Jesus knew that the darkness did not rule Him. He knew He would rise up from the dead and rule over the dark. God is the same God whether in the dark or in the light. Jesus rose from the grave to shine the light in the face of the enemy, and to illuminate the path for all who would trust in Him.
PAGE 2
RULE THE DARK PASTOR CLAY NESMITH APRIL 16, 2017
Group Questions Are you afraid of the dark, or were you afraid as a child? What emotions did darkness stir up in you? What dark moments have stalemated you in the past? One of the reasons the Israelites faced a difficult battle at Gibeon was because they’d forgotten to talk with God, but He was still there for them in the midst of the battle. What does that tell you about our God? What does it meant to consult with God? How can we trust God and consult with Him, even in our dark moments?
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