Dealing with Spiritual darkness – Scott Hubbard | We are set free from shame and guilt – Jonathan Bourman

·51 min·5 clips

A book sent Scott Hubbard into a two-year spiritual darkness he still doesn't fully understand.

The episode opens with Bill Arnold introducing the topic of spiritual darkness and his guest Scott Hubbard, managing editor at Desiring God. Hubbard shares a personal story of entering a two-year spiritual darkness after reading a book, which he still doesn't fully understand. He describes the pain of losing joy after knowing light. Hubbard turns to Psalms 42 and 43, where the psalmist repeatedly tells his soul to hope in God. He extracts three movements from these psalms: remember past joy to fuel hope, declare future praise with confidence, and defy despair in the present. Hubbard notes that darkness can be stubborn, requiring repeated self-reminders. He references Psalm 88 as an example of a dark prayer still included in Scripture. After a break, the second segment features pastor Jonathan Bourman teaching on Zechariah 3. Bourman sets the context during Lent, a time of lengthening light. He reads Zechariah 3:1-5, depicting Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord with Satan accusing him. Bourman explains that Zechariah needed a vision to see this heavenly reality, where Satan's main role is prosecution, not temptation. He links this to Joshua's 17-year paralysis in rebuilding the temple, attributing it to 'Goldilocks guilt'—just enough to hinder but not seek help. Bourman highlights Zechariah's surprising freedom in speaking up in heaven to command a clean turban for Joshua, contrasting with Joshua's paralysis. He identifies the Angel of the Lord as Jesus, who rebukes Satan and acts on Joshua's behalf. Bourman explains that Jesus removes sin entirely and clothes believers in fine garments, a concept called double imputation. He concludes that Jesus dealt with sin in a single day (Good Friday), freeing believers from condemnation and urging them not to return to self-condemnation.

As heard by us

A pastoral episode on spiritual darkness, imperfect help, shame, and learning to praise God again.

Spiritual darkness receives a pastoral reading that stays close to the ordinary confusion of grief, doubt, guilt, and loss. On The Bill Arnold Show, Scott Hubbard talks through what it feels like when prayer seems unheard and joy has gone missing.

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Why you'd press play

When faith feels shadowed by grief, doubt, guilt, or loss, you get a steady invitation to keep looking toward God.

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