DARKNESS

I Was Just Thinking About – DARKNESS.

There are several areas of darkness that are commonly known. In creation, God made a distinction between day and night. All of us are aware and take for granted the daily hours of both light and darkness. Physically and spiritually, Jesus Christ made between light and darkness when He stated to Nicodemus (John 3:19-21): “Judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people love the darkness more than the light, for their actions (deeds) were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants (them to do).”

The spiritual lessons about darkness are crystallized by Paul when he wrote in Ephesians 6:10-12 that the follower of Jesus Christ must remain “strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” He states the specific reasons for that guidance: “your stand against the devil’s schemes.” He defines precisely what he means and intends when he adds: “our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against (1) the rulers; (2) against the authorities; (3) against the POWERS OF THIS WORLD’S DARKNESS; (4) against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

With this being true, how can the child of God survive and be engaged for the Lord amid this opposition and forces of evil. If not in one’s own strength, whose will be needed? Second Peter 1:3-4 reminds us: “The divine power of Jesus Christ  has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, NOW THAT YOU HAVE ESCAPED THE CORRUPTION IN THE WORLD CAUSED BY EVIL DESIRES.”

There is another area of darkness with which many are concerned, namely, death. Some years ago, L.E. Singer and Don Wyrtzen combined to write and compose a beautiful anthem titled: Finally Home. The contrast between Light and Darkness is expressed in the second stanza:

When surrounded by the blackness
Of the darkest night,
O how lonely death can be.
At the end of this long tunnel
Is a shining light;
For death is swallowed up in victory.

The refrain gives the joyous anticipation of passing through that moment of darkness - - -

But just think of stepping on shore
And finding it heaven.
Of touching a hand and finding it God's;
Of breathing new air and finding it celestial;
Of waking up in glory and finding it home.

There is another area of abbreviated darkness for those who have been recipients of Chemotherapy. It is sometimes referred to as “Chemo-Brain” indicating the brief and possible gaps in one’s ability to think sequentially as well as to recall well-known information. A regional Cancer Center is conducting a workshop-seminar titled “Brain Fog.” A  generalization expresses that Brain Fog is not limited to just Cancer Treatments but occurs with Muscular Sclerosis, etc. It suggests that depression during treatment can result in loss of concentration and fatigue. It can and will also impact one to have abnormal sleeping habits and a lack of energy. These can also lead and contribute to one’s problems with concentrating. It also can cause the completing of tasks difficult.

Jesus reminded His followers in John 12:35, “Walk while you have The Light, lest darkness overtake you.” One must keep looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.