05/30/2018
Do you think that God doesn't see what we do under the cover of darkness? Well, think again because God is more than familiar with darkness. We associate God with light because He created it... He radiates it, and where it exists, darkness is overcome; so if you define darkness as the absence of light then prior to creation there was only darkness, and yet God was there. God sees us, and all that we do... even in the dark.
“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”
Genesis 1:2-5 ESV
In the Old Testament we hear that light radiates from God, and that His glory shines forth, and we begin to see the development of the concept of good being associated with light, and evil with darkness, but isn’t that reference to goodness referring to ours, and its antithesis evil ours as well? We are the ones who are limited by sight to moving about in the light of day. God knows both light and darkness; nothing escapes him.
“he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.”
Daniel 2:22 ESV
It isn’t until the New Testament that we hear God described as “being” light. The concept of good’s association with light has thus reached its fullness, and because we understand that there is no evil in God, then God must consist totally of light. This is different from the Old Testament in which light is described as being part of God, it is contained within Him (from which it radiates).
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
1 John 1:5 ESV
This can be understood as saying God is good, and in Him is no evil at all. So whether literal, or metaphorical (in regards to light), the idea of goodness remains associated with light. This is how man perceived the world because this is how we are equipped to perceive it. We have eyes that gather light, and allow us to move about the land... only as long as there is enough light for us to see can we experience what is around us... so light is good. In the dark we stumble and fall... so darkness is bad. Then just as we understand that God gives us goodness, then we associate that reality with His giving us light. And just as we understand sin as bad, then we associate that with darkness... see the human logic? However this is not God’s limitation or logic.
“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
Ephesians 5:8-11 ESV
So we do evil sinful things under the cover of darkness, and think that God can’t see us because darkness limits us, but it does not limit God. Darkness is a concept WE associate with darkness... but God does not.
Whether in the Old Testament:
“And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you."”
Numbers 22:20 ESV
Or the New Testament:
“But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."”
Acts 5:19-20 ESV
God is active in the light, and equally in the darkness. He sees us just as well in either, and we deceive ourselves to think that what we do in darkness is done in secret. So, do good, and obey the Lord always; light or dark, day or night, adhere to His Word, and hear His voice.
“I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.”
Isaiah 45:7 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for being with me in the light, and in the dark. You are my Lord both day and night, and no sin or evil escapes you; your protection knows no bounds. My eyesight is limited Lord, but yours is not. No enemy can fall upon me in the darkness that you don’t see him coming and awaken me; no sin can I commit in the night that you don’t see it and hold me accountable. Help me Holy Father to understand that your goodness transcends night and day. Though I am limited by the light you are not, though I stumble in the darkness, you are sure in your steps. In this I take comfort, and in this assurance I can sleep peacefully at night, knowing you look over me. Evil and sin are at home in both the light of day and the dark of night. It is only my poor eyesight at night that deceives me into associating evil with it, and fooling myself into believing you are as limited as I am. Before there was light, you were there, and before Eve’s understanding of good and evil, you understood. Thank you for your Son Jesus who has lifted the burden of my sin from me, and allowed me to see your radiant light in its fullness. Your glory shines bright as day, and is offset in magnificence by the darkness from which you separate it. You are Holy beyond my understanding, and even as your darkness holds me still, your light penetrates it, and leads me to you. Holy, Holy, Holy are you my God, and the Lord of all things light, and dark. From you there is no secret place, from your mercy and grace no boundary. Should I die in the day or night you are there. You are forever faithful, and with me always. You are my comfort, and peace forever, and in your Son Jesus I cast off sin, and live a life of righteousness.
“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
Rich Forbes