WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE DARK? DOES YOUR FAITH AND CHARACTER CHANGE?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
In the middle of the night something startled the man,
and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.
(Ruth 3:8)

MEDITATION:
A lot of things happen in the darkness of night. Crimes take place
in the dark. A thief breaks into homes in the dark to steal. Those
who are assailants look for victims in dimly lit parking garages
and parking lots. Gang members make plans to carry out all kinds
of evil in the dark.

Why do some people love the dark so much more than the light?
Because it hides their wicked deeds, doesn’t it?
    Depraved men love the darkness because it hides
    their wicked deeds. This is the verdict: Light has
    come into the world, but people loved darkness
    instead of light because their deeds were evil.
    (John 3:19)

In Ruth 3:8 we see a man and a woman in the dark. A perfect
opportunity for something to take place outside of God’s will.
Everyone else was sound asleep, so no one would notice. More
than likely, some wouldn’t have cared if they did observe some
sinful thing happening.

Here was the situation.
    Ruth was not only a foreigner, but she was also a Moabitess.
    The Moabites refused to allow the Israelites to cross through
    their land. They even hired Balaam to curse the Israelites.
    Needless to say, no love existed between these two nations.

What about Boaz?
    He was wealthy, and the rich could take whatever they wanted.
    However, Boaz was a man of honor and integrity – even in the dark.

ACTION:
What about us? God expects you and me to behave in the dark the same
as we do in the light. It doesn’t make any difference if no one is watching.
It doesn’t matter that our deeds in the dark will never be discovered. There
is still One who knows and cares.

The psalmist reminds us the darkness and the light are both alike to God.
    “even the darkness will not be dark to you; the
      night will shine like the day, for darkness is as
      light to you.”
      (Psalms 139:12)

The darkness is not a time to take a chance to do evil and not get
caught; it is a time for us to show our true character. What we do
in the dark shows the person we really are. Are you the same in the
dark as you are in the light? Can God trust you in the dark?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I pray that You will give me
a consistent character; one that is not negatively
impacted by my circumstances. Help me to be as
consistent in my faith when my actions are hidden
as I am when my deeds are out in the open. Remind
me that my words, actions, attitudes, character and
focus is to please You, as opposed to pleasing my own
selfish desires which feed my sinfulness.”

BLOG: utvolwoody.com