Weeping may last for a night time

Cowering under the bedcovers through the night, gripped in the midst of fear, almost suffocating from the weight of those fears. Many tears but not a wink of sleep passed my eyes that night as I poured out my fears to God.  This is how I saw in the new year on 31^st December, 2011. As the new day dawned, and the first rays of light from 2012 shone through the bedroom window, chasing away the shadows of the dark night, He uttered a verse of promise to my heart:

“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.”

As those words took root in my heart, the fears were swallowed up by His promise, as hope and peace took their rightful place, growing with the strengthening daylight.

This word of God has not returned to Him empty, but has proven itself to me over this year, time and time again.

It is a promise that has sustained me throughout a difficult year. And it is a promise that has returned to me as the year closes and I have sought to respond to the tragedy of Sandy Hook, which stands as a solemn and Holy testimony to the darkness engulfing the land, to a land that has been “given over” in Holy judgment, a land where His hand is lifted high yet the people do not see it. As in America, so in Britain.

This Christmas time, as Immanuel holds my attention, I remember how Light stepped down into the darkness. The darkness did not overcome. Darkness was defeated. This is the promise we have, the promise we celebrate! No matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. In this time of darkness, it is surely time to teach one another a lament, to hold fast to the promise of Immanuel.

Sovereign Lord, list the tears of my lament

In your scroll, hear my cry

For our land walks in the dark

And we cannot see the light

Arise O Lord! May we hear Your Voice again!

Sovereign Lord, truth has stumbled in the streets

Righteousness stands afar

Yet we have not lost our hope

As we cry “Come, Emmanuel!”

The light shines in the dark and is not overcome!

And weeping may last for a night-time

But rejoicing – it shall come

Yes rejoicing – it shall come

Rejoicing shall come with the dawning of the day!

Sovereign Lord, my heart is poured out on the ground

The fathers’ hearts are turned away

But as darkness closes in

Your deliverance draws near

Arise, O Lord! And turn our mourning into joy!

And weeping may last for a night-time

But rejoicing – it shall come

Yes rejoicing – it shall come

Rejoicing shall come with the dawning of the day!