# When God Intervenes in Our Darkness
Have you ever felt like you're stumbling through life, desperately searching for a glimmer of hope? Perhaps you're facing circumstances that seem impossibly dark, leaving you feeling helpless and alone. If so, you're not alone. The Bible tells us that even God's chosen people, Israel, experienced such profound darkness.
## The Darkness We Face
In the book of Isaiah, we find a stark description of Israel's plight: "We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight" (Isaiah 59:9-10). This imagery paints a vivid picture of despair and hopelessness.
But it's not just ancient Israel that faced such darkness. Today, countless people find themselves in seemingly hopeless situations. I often wonder, "What is it like to live in Gaza or Lebanon right now? What about the eastern perimeter of Ukraine or anywhere in Sudan?" Closer to home, I think about "that man or woman mourning the death of their spouse this morning, even after weeks and months and years since their passing." Or consider those living on the streets, facing extreme weather conditions. These are just a few examples of the darkness many people face daily.
## God's Response to Our Suffering
In the face of such overwhelming darkness, where can we find hope? The answer lies in God's character and His response to our suffering. Isaiah 59:15-16 tells us, "The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him."
This passage reveals a profound truth about our God. He doesn't stand idly by when He sees injustice and suffering. Instead, He intervenes personally. God identifies so closely with His people that their suffering becomes His own. "God is not far away and removed, disconnected, and unfeeling. No. God is wounded and is hurting too. He identifies with those who suffer injustice. So much so that he intervenes."
## Blind Bartimaeus: A Story of Faith and Healing
The story of Blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52 beautifully illustrates God's intervention in our darkness. Bartimaeus represents every one of us – blind not just physically, but spiritually. His blindness "was only a symptom of the underlying pathology... the deeper darkness that he found himself in."
When Jesus passed by, Bartimaeus refused to be silenced. He cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47). Despite attempts to quiet him, "he shouted all the louder, so convinced of his helplessness that he could not be shut up."
Jesus' response to Bartimaeus is the same response He gives to each of us: "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51). It's a profound question that cuts to the heart of our needs and desires.
## What Do We Really Need?
Bartimaeus asked for his sight, and Jesus granted his request. But the story doesn't end there. After receiving his sight, we're told that Bartimaeus "followed Jesus along the road" (Mark 10:52). This road led to Jerusalem, to the cross, where Jesus would make the ultimate intervention on our behalf.
You see, Bartimaeus received more than just physical sight. By following Jesus, he gained spiritual sight as well. "Blind Bartimaeus needed physical sight in order to see Jesus enthroned on the cross, high and lifted up. He needed physical sight to see Jesus' parched lips, barely audible say, 'Forgive them, including Bartimaeus, for they know not what they do.'"
## Life Application: Embracing God's Intervention
So, what does this mean for us today? How can we respond to God's intervention in our lives?
1. Recognize Your Need: Like Bartimaeus, we must first acknowledge our spiritual blindness and our need for God's intervention.
2. Cry Out to Jesus: Don't let anything silence your plea for help. Keep calling out to Jesus, even when others try to quiet you.
3. Respond to His Call: When Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?", be honest about your needs. But also be open to receiving more than you initially ask for.
4. Follow Jesus: True healing comes not just from receiving what we want, but from following Jesus, even when the road leads to difficult places.
5. Embrace the Cross: As we follow Jesus, we're called to "engage in a life of cruciform living, the life of discipleship that embraces the cross, trusting that the Holy Spirit will crucify that which is in us and needs to be dealt with."
Remember, God sees your darkness. He feels your pain. And He is ready to intervene. Will you, like Bartimaeus, receive His gift and follow Him along the road? "By the aid of the Holy Spirit, this is possible and therefore good news." Amen.