Darkness

I’ve described movies, music and lots of entertainment as dark. By that I mean, it seems a bit hopeless and grim. It can also mean that it feels evil and quite a contract to the hope that I have in the Lord. I’ve never been super afraid of the dark, but I don’t like darkness. There are things that secretly happen in the darkness that would be easily exposed in the daylight.

Job is speaking in rebuttal to one of his friends who has just reminded him of the power and presence of God. Job points out how there are many who thrive in darkness because they choose to be there. He speaks a lot of truth in the midst of his deep pain. Check this out…

13 ‘There are those who rebel against the light,

    who do not know its ways

    or stay in its paths.

14 When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up,

    kills the poor and needy,

    and in the night steals forth like a thief.

15 The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk;

    he thinks, “No eye will see me,”

    and he keeps his face concealed.

16 In the dark, thieves break into houses,

    but by day they shut themselves in;

    they want nothing to do with the light.

17 For all of them, midnight is their morning;

    they make friends with the terrors of darkness. (Job 24:13-17 NIV)

I’ve definitely tried to conceal some of my behavior done under the cover of darkness. While I might fool my neighbor or a friend – the Lord didn’t miss it. He sees me no matter where I am. I can’t possibly hide from Him. I’ve learned the futility in trying. When I’m walking in the boundaries put forth by the light, I’m closer to who He’s called me to be. The darkness is tempting me, but He is patiently offering me a beam of light that leads back to Him.

This passage reminded me of a passage in Ephesians where the Apostle Paul challenges us to live in the light. Check this out…

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. (Ephesians 5:8-13 NIV)

I want to live honorably in the light of the Lord. I want His light to expose any sin or weakness in my life. I want to become aware of how devastating the darkness can be and run from that.

Pressing On!

Dwayne