My daughter is part of the color guard at her high school. During band performances, they flip flags and wooden rifles in carefully choreographed routines.
A couple of weeks ago, the band and color guard had an all-day practice, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. That afternoon, we received a text inviting family and friends to watch a free performance. We arrived at the football field around 7 p.m., just as the sun began to set.
But nothing happened.
The stadium lights were off. The sky continued to darken. We wondered if the lights would come on at all—and if there would even be a show.
What happened next taught me something.
As the darkness settled in and the lights still hadn’t turned on, the band began to play. The color guard danced. Without knowing if the lights would ever come on, they continued doing what they knew to do. With youthful energy and joy, they played song after song together.
Eventually, the lights did come on, and we enjoyed their performance.
But God used that moment to challenge me. Do I praise Him in the darkness—before the light comes? God has promised that the dawn will arrive, that the light will shine again. But sometimes, He calls us to worship while we wait.
We praise Him because He is with us now, not only when circumstances improve. And we praise Him because He has always been faithful to fulfill His promises.
That night also reminded me of the power of community. It is easier to worship together. God designed us to praise Him alongside others, drawing encouragement from His people when the darkness feels heavy.
Even in difficult seasons, we have reason to worship. Christ, the Light of the world, is always present. And when we worship Him—together—we declare our trust that the darkness will not last. The light will come.
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
— John 1:5
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Teach me to praise You in the darkness. Even when the lights haven’t come on yet, help me lift my voice with joy and trust in Your promises. Remind me that You are present now and faithful to fulfill Your word in the future. Surround me with Your people so that together we may worship You for who You are and all You have done. Strengthen my heart to wait with hope until the dawn comes.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
-
Think of a time you walked through a difficult season that eventually ended. How did God sustain you while you waited?
-
Reflect on ways God has fulfilled His promises in your past. How does His faithfulness then shape your hope for the future?
-
Recall how God’s people have encouraged you during dark times. In what ways have you been able to encourage others in theirs?
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Episode Transcript
Life Audio. Thank you for tuning in to your Nightly Prayer,
a podcast designed to help you rest and connect with
your Father in heaven as the day ends. God is
ready to meet you in this moment of peace. As
you settle into sleep. After this short word from our sponsor,
(00:25):
we'll encounter tonight's devotional hope When the World Feels Dark,
written by Britt Mooney and read by your host, Brooke McLoughlin.
Tonight's scripture the light shines in the darkness, and the
(00:48):
darkness has not overcome it John one to five. Something
to ponder. My daughter is part of the color guard
at the high school. They flip flags and wooden rifles
around during the band's performances. A couple of weeks ago,
the band and color guard had an eight am to
eight pm practice on a Saturday. We got a text
(01:12):
in the afternoon they were doing a free show for
family and friends. We showed up to the football field
around seven. The sun had begun to set. They didn't start.
The field lights were dark and the sky also continued
to darken. Would the lights come on? Would there be
a show? We didn't know. Those kids taught me something though.
(01:36):
While it got darker, and the lights didn't turn on.
The band and color Guard played songs. They danced with
the benefit of being young, they somehow had the energy
to dance around and play various songs they knew, not
knowing when the lights would come on or if, but
they exhibited joy. The lights did eventually come on, and
(01:58):
we enjoyed their show. God convicted me, however do I
praise him in the darkness? He has promised the dawn
will come, the lights will come on. As it were,
I might have to wait, but He's called me to
praise him in the meantime. We praise him because he's
with us now and he fulfills his promises. And as
(02:21):
my daughter and the band and Color Guard showed me,
we also have a community of faith around us to
praise with. It's easier to catch praise and worship in
a group. God designed it that way. Even in the
darker times, we have reason to praise Christ, who is
light is always with us, and we have the encouragement
(02:43):
of His body joining together in worship for what He's
already done and is doing. God is worthy of praise.
As we worship him, we count him faithful to fulfill
his promises in the future as he has in the past.
The darkness will not endure. The light will come. Your
(03:04):
nightly prayer, Heavenly Father, teach me to praise you in
the darkness, even when the lights haven't come on yet.
Help me to lift my voice with joy, trusting your promises.
Remind me you are present now and faithful to fulfill
your word in the future. Surround me with the encouragement
(03:25):
of your people so we can together worship you for
who you are and what you've done. Strengthen my heart
to wait with hope until the dawn comes in Jesus' name. Amen.
Three things to meditate upon. Number one, when have you
gone through a hard time and found relief when it ended?
(03:47):
How did God help you through that? Two? How has
God fulfilled his promises to you in the past? What
does that mean in the future? And number three, how
have God's people encouraged you during dark times before? How
have you encouraged others? Thank you for listening to your
(04:11):
nightly prayer, a production of the Life Audio Network. If
you found comfort and inspiration in tonight's prayer, be sure
to follow and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you
listen to podcasts, follow Today so you never miss a
moment of peace and reflection to end your day.
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