Guidance Through Darkness

ALMIGHTY GOD! the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. Not so to us; we stumble in the dark, we tremble and are afraid. We pray Thee to be with us in the dark; not in the dark of the night only, but in the darkness of the day. Clouds of doubt pass over our souls; clouds of sin hide Thee from our eyes. We gaze upon life’s wonders till we can see no more; we watch Thy glories till we are blinded with excess of light. Sorrow’s tears dim our weak eyes, till at last we are but as children crying in the dark. Even then would we stretch out the hand of feeble faith; touch us with Thy right hand, and where we cannot see, we will gladly go. Blind, we can sit by the wayside and cry;—dark, we will turn to the East whence must come the light. In the night, in the dark, in doubt, in sin, in storm, guide us by Thy right hand. And when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death, let Thy rod and Thy staff comfort us. Be Thou, O God, our Light! Make us to know Thee, the Light of the World! Always and everywhere lead us by Thy right hand, and afterward receive us to glory.—AMEN.