03/30/2022
How black is the deep darkness that surrounds us? Do we think we are lost because we see no light before us? The light of our Lord God is never extinguished, even in the darkest places in our lives it shines. In hopelessness He is like a dim light in the distance on a pitch black night. His light still surrounds us, and we know this because when we turn to face Him our eyes see Him clearly, and we realize that His light has been with us all along… bathing us in His presence, and glory. Had this not been true you would have seen nothing when you turned.
“Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.”
Isaiah 50:10 ESV
To follow Jesus we are told to pick up our cross and follow Him, and when we turn towards Christ to pick up that thing we once thought to be only pain and darkness, the cross, we see the light of Jesus shining there. Though the clouds covered the sky, and it became dark at the moment of His death, the light remained, and could not be extinguished. So it is in our darkest hour; He remains with us. This is our faith, our hope, and the truth.
“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
In this way we see the light always. As Jesus abides in us His light shines in our hearts, and as we abide in Him we become light as He is light, and His glory shines forth from us.
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV
Likewise we see the light of God in Jesus because God abides in Him, and He in God. From Jesus emanates the light and glory of God to light our darkest nights, and to reveal to us the way ahead. All of this is within us because in us is Jesus, and He is the light of the world. The question is always the same for those who would believe… will we turn towards Him, and though His light appears dim in the distance, will we walk towards it?
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.”
Proverbs 4:18-19 ESV
So right now we might see only darkness in our life, but if we turn around we will find that the light has been there all along. Our despair was in vain, and that glory abounds even in the night… even when all we have been feeling is a sense of hopelessness. Eternity begins when we see there is no death, darkness ends when we understand the true nature of light, and Heaven begins right now for all who believe we are not alone.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ to teach us about the true nature of light, and how there is no fear in the night because you are with us. Thank you for allowing us to see clearly that for those who believe, and have faith, there is comfort in our darkest times, and that we can rest in you there. We think that we step across the threshold from night into day, and from disbelief into belief by simply turning around, but in truth you surround us always, and the fear, or hopelessness, of these things is but a misunderstanding of who you are… always with us, always present, and always loving and good. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God who abides in Jesus, and us alike. Praised be your name for every lesson you teach us in the understanding of life, of light, and for showing us that you are with us in the storms and nights of our lives, just as you are in our happiness and joy. Good times and bad… sickness and health… suffering and joy… you never leave, nor do you diminish. Your promises remain, just as eternity has no end… no horizon. Wash us clean of our sins in the blood of Jesus, and transform us as He comes to abide in us. See His perfection in us, and let the light and life He gives us shine for all eternity with you.
“the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””
Matthew 4:16-17 ESV
Rich Forbes