Dark—the place we cannot see which makes our imaginations run wild.

Genesis 1:1–5

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. 

What gets us through the long, dark night?

Promise

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 

 John 1:4–5

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. 

John 1:9

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

1 John 1:5–7

. . . God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  

Trust and Obey

Matthew 1:18–19

. . . But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 

Matthew 1:20

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:24

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 

Luke 1:29

 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 

Luke 1:34-37

. . . “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. . . For the word of God will never fail.” 

Luke 1:38

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Obedience demonstrates trust.

Luke 1:46–55

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. 

He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” 

Isaiah 41:10

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 

Deuteronomy 31:8

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” 

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will counsel you and watch over you. 

Matthew 11:28

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 

Isaiah 40:31

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. 

They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. 

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

Isaiah 43:2

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. 

When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 

Isaiah 41:13

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. 

And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. 

Revelation 22:5

And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.