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Three Essential Questions
After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.

• What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?
• What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
• What will you do? How will you put into practice what you've learned today?

"Answer me, O Lord my God; give me light in my darkness lest I die."
Psalm 13:3 (LB)

"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."Isaiah 45:3 (NIV)

GOD HAS CONCEALED RICHESIN THE DARKNESS OF SUFFERING

"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches hidden in secret places . . ."

"But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10 (NASB)

"These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT) 

ACTION PLAN:  Are you experiencing a time of darkness (grieving, depression, relationship difficulties, financial difficulties)? Write down your experience, and ask God to reveal His riches to you in the midst of the darkness. Share your experience with your small group, or a trusted friend.

So that you may know

GOD HAS THE POWER TO INTERVENE IN OUR DARKNESS

"I am the LORD, the God of Israel . . ."

"The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: 'I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble . . .'"Isaiah 57:15a (NLT)

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure."Psalm 147:5 (ESV)

ACTION PLAN: Write down the cause of the darkness you may be living in right now.  Now write down your prayer for God to help you understand the darkness, your need for Him to be with you, and your need for Him to lift you out.  Share your prayer with your small group, or a trusted friend.

GOD WILL BE CLOSE TO US IN OUR DARKNESS

". . . who summons you by name."

". . . so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near."Acts 17:27b (MsgB)

"Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."1 Cor. 13:12 (NIV)

ACTION PLAN: Write down those moments when you felt God's closeness.  Also write down how you responded to His closeness.  Reflect with your small group, or close friend how those moments helped you understand how God was helping you through your time of darkness.

What we KNOW leads usTo Worship

"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.'" Job 1:20-21 (NIV)

There are many things you can praise God for, even in pain:

• That He is a good and loving God (Job 10:12)
• That He notices every detail of my life (Job 23:10; 31:4)
• That He is in control (Job 34:13)
• That He has a plan for my life (Job 23:14)

Treasures in the Darkness:

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'"John 8:12 (ESV)

"Lord, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness."  Psalm 18:28

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