He(re)’s the Remedy for Your Darkness

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (1932)

By: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 – 1993)

Listen to this version featuring Mahalia Jackson as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We begin our journey through this great gospel song which voices our desire to have God take our hand. The last few weeks we considered the importance of holding to God’s unchanging hand, now we rest in the fact that He holds ours. Let’s think about this.

The Many Forms of Darkness

Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

Darkness takes many forms. Whether it be storms within or without which assail our souls, the the grim cloak of night ushered in with the setting sun, or any other darkness delivered to us by others or invited in by our own thoughts, words, or behavior we must all deal with these harbingers of heaviness. How we choose to deal with them determines just how likely we will be able to walk through them.

Think for just a moment what comes to mind with the word darkness. That first impulse is likely the thing that you fear, dislike, to struggle with the most. Name it. You know what it is, don’t you? Maybe a few things come to mind.  That’s ok. Name each one, but let’s keep it to those things that come quickly to mind for now.

The reason being there is in some sense to end to the things that can assault our tempest-tossed souls, but for our purposes here we want to put some things in place which will help us deal with them. We want to be able to talk to Jesus about them. He is the One who can help us find our way through them better than anyone or anything else. That’s what He promised us.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV

So the things that came to mind are your darkness. You may be tempted to question Jesus’ words because you feel like there have
been times when you were absolutely walking in darkness, maybe you even feel that way today, but I assure you, the light of Jesus Christ can illumine even the most pervasive darkness. Consider the words or Corrie Ten Boom about the situations we find ourselves which ultimately reveal to us that God is there. “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”

Though we all have sources of darkness, they do not have to be what characterizes our walk. If we walk in the dark we are likely to get injured. Jesus promises that we do not have to face our darkness that way. He has promised He will be light so we can see where we are going, and see the dangers for what they are, all against the backdrop of His light of life.

RESONATE!
What are those pits? What are those things in your life that are sources of darkness? Storms, night, illness, loss, grief, pain. Bring them to Jesus right now. You may have brought them before. You may have been bringing them for years. Bring them again. Name each one as it comes to mind.  We are going to take each of those to Jesus today.

The Remedy for it All

Do not be overwhelmed by the darkness you have just named. That darkness is going to be overwhelmed by the light of Jesus Christ. Let’s think for a moment how that light brings life by becoming the hand which guides us through the darkness.

When a ship is battling against a storm and trying to make it to shore it can be very dangerous. The lighthouse becomes a beacon that first of all helps the crew to find their way to shore. It gives them a point of reference. They focus on the light, not the storm, as they make their way to safety.

Once they get close, the lighthouse assures they do not crash into the rocks. It warns them that there is danger nearby and gives them a context within we they can navigate any from the perils of the open sea to the safety of the harbor. It helps them find their way home.

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 ESV

When we ask God to take our hand it is often first to receive comfort from His presence. In His presence we find hope and our fear begins to dissipate, like those at sea when they first see the light in the darkness. But also like them we are often far from danger.

We trust the surety and strength of His hand to lead us safely home. He holds us through the danger and helps us to safety, again like the lighthouse to those at sea. It is important for us to focus on His hand, the light, rather than the dark dangers so we are going to practice that as we close out today.

RESONATE!
Recall those sources of darkness you names earlier. Now let’s focus instead on the light of God’s presence. Bring each one before Jesus and His light of life. They will begin to become a little less bothersome in His light. Whenever they come to mind after these moments drag them into the light of His presence again and find comfort to face them. He will help you. He is for you. He is holding your hand. He is your light and so you do not walk in darkness.

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Image Attributions
Through the Storm, Through the Night – https://pixabay.com/photos/flash-thunder-forward-nature-4244923/
Lead Me On to the Light – https://pixabay.com/photos/lighthouse-evening-abendstimmung-4846855/