Darkness

December 13, 2006

By Randy Mantik

Signs of the change of season are all around us these days. We take note around here when the Amberg Antiques and Sweets Shop closes for the winter. The marquee in front of the store informed us recently there were only six more days, and then there will be NO antiques OR sweets until spring! Well, if that’s not reason for alarm, I don’t know what is. But after the initial rush of anxiety, I managed to pull myself together and remember the hardware store stays open all winter.

Another indication of impending cold weather is the increased darkness. The first evening after daylight saving time ends is always a bit of a shock for me. Nightfall arrives about an hour after lunch, or at least it seems that way! It’s hard to make the adjustment from summer’s long, bright days to winter’s long, cold hours of darkness. It’s so much harder to climb out of bed in the morning when it’s dark and cold.

Darkness also represents fear to many people — it signifies the unknown. We don’t like the dark because we can’t see. However, darkness does not always have to mean fear. Darkness can be a precursor of light.

At the beginning of Scripture we read, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2, NIV). Notice that in the darkness, God was there.

God is light, so His presence indicated that light was somewhere close at hand. Sure enough, light was the first thing He created! It was the thing that dispelled the dark disorder of this world in its precreated state. “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:3).

That is the very same light we wake up to every morning! However, there is another Light that is not visible to the eye, the Light of the all-powerful God: “Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:16).

Jesus said, “Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Have you noticed most crimes take place in the dark or in subdued light? Darkness seems like a wonderful shield for evil activities. I think it is because, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

They continue in ever-increasing debauchery and make demonic, dramatic claims that “light cannot exist!” and “there is no absolute truth.” But if I close my eyes and it is dark to me, does that mean all is dark? Of course not! I cannot see because I have sealed myself off from the light.

Revelation describes a final, forever day and the New Jerusalem: “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 21:23). In that day, Christ will be fully revealed as, “The true light that gives light to every man” (John 1:9). It will be like the light of a million mornings living in our hearts as Christ lives within.

Many times our physical senses experience light deprivation, but our spirits can continually be flooded with light! How? “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). Paul seems to continue the thought when he says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

So, dear ones, though the winter of soul and season descends and hours of darkness lengthen, be assured that the Light of the world is with you and He will never, ever leave you. Bask in the Light and do not fear the darkness at all. It’s just a reminder that the Light is close at hand!

Randy Mantik is senior pastor of Crossroads Church of the Assemblies of God in Pembine, Wis.