When Day Begins at Night

Volume 2, Number 7

Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out…both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the LORD as you have said. Exodus 12:31

Recently I was having a conversation with my son about a special milestone in his career as a Chaplain in the army.

I could not be more proud of how he is serving both our Lord and our Country. But it all started on one of the darkest days of my life.

I’ll never forget the day my son got in a military van along with several other newly signed recruits and headed off to Parris Island to begin his training as a Marine. For the first time in his life he was in hands stronger than mine—Uncle Sam’s. Uncle Sam was now calling the shots and there was nothing I could do about it…except pray.

I knew the hour that Lee would be arriving at Parris Island to begin boot camp and I had promised him that I’d be on my knees praying for him. Call me an over-protective parent, but when the time came I was so overwhelmed with emotion and grief that I literally could not pray. All I could do was cry. Finally the best I could manage was to recite the Lord’s Prayer.

Bottom line, that was one of the darkest days of my life. But looking back, I see now that it was the beginning of a brand new day for Lee and our family. Just like the children of Israel as they began their exodus from Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land under cover of night, I learned that sometimes a new day begins at night.

I highlight this because I know some of you are going through dark seasons right now. Whether you are a minister or member, life and ministry can be tough. Fighting for time and resources, trying to keep up with the overwhelming changes and turmoil in our culture…it’s not easy.

But dear ILCOG…and all our far-flung friends and family…don’t grow weary in well-doing. Don’t despair. Don’t give up. If I have learned anything over my life it is this: God uses the darkest nights of our lives to begin brand new days.

Blessings to you and here’s believing with you that no matter how tough the journey and how dark the way…

The best is yet to come.

David L. Kemp