Light and Darkness

I remember as a boy being scared of our basement. There was an old oil furnace in the back of this small cellar with a dark and foreboding area behind it. I often saw “ghosts” and “monsters” back there. I remember once being trapped on the stairs—in the dark—and seeing the glowing red eyes of some creature making its way to devour me. Thankfully, I was able to get the door open and return to the light of the kitchen. Light brings deliverance and peace. God is light.

I John 1:5:
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

What a great message to hear! God is always light and love. There is absolutely no darkness in God at all.

Genesis 1:4:
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

Everything about our heavenly Father is good. When darkness came in the beginning, God sent forth His light. It was good. It separated out the darkness.

II Samuel 22:29:
For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.

Psalms 18:28:
For thou wilt light my candle [lamp]: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Most of the world today has some form electrical light to offer a sense of safety when the dark hours come. In Bible times, people used small clay lamps that held oil and a wick. They were used in the home, while walking on dark paths, and as a sign of God’s presence. God is our lamp. He will enlighten the dark areas of our lives.

Job 12:22:
He [God] discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

Job was a man in serious trouble. He lost his earthly wealth and all of his children. Even his physical health was under attack by the Devil. Then three well-meaning, but very accusing, friends tried to blame Job for his troubles. He told them that surely “wisdom will die with you,” sarcastically pointing out that their accusations were unfounded. Job knew that God was light and good. He expected his Savior to bring him out of the Devil’s darkness.

Job 29:3:
When his candle [lamp] shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness.

Job also understood that it was God who led him through dark and challenging situations in his life. God’s lamp shined upon Job’s head—He gave this humble man spiritual insight and direction. We can have the same today.

Psalms 112:4:
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

None of us are “upright” by our own work and effort. We have God’s grace by sending His Son to die for us. We have Christ’s compassion flooding our hearts by the gift of holy spirit (Romans 5:5). And we are made righteous by the selfless sacrifice of our savior, Jesus Christ. We can shine forth Christ’s light in the darkness and prevail.

Psalms 139:11,12:
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

At times, it seems that darkness will cover us and we lose hope. But God is faithful to shelter and care for us. Even the spiritual night that tries to frighten us becomes light when we trust in Him. Jesus Christ saw the night “shine as the day” when he walked among those who needed health and healing. He always did good—His Father’s will—and went about healing all that were oppressed by the Devil (Acts 10:38).

Isaiah 5:20:
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Today many people put “darkness for light.” They lie and cheat and steal and proclaim insane and bizarre theories about life. But truth is still reality: God made two sexes—male and female; we can be healed through Jesus Christ; God answers prayer. Don’t listen to and go along with the Devil’s lies. No matter how many people eat bitter things and think they are “sweet.” They will suffer in the end, and we will be blessed with God’s love.

Isaiah 9:2:
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

The Prophet Isaiah had great visions of the future. But his greatest understanding was about who the Messiah would be and what he would do for mankind. After nearly 400 years without a prophet, John the Baptist prepared the way for the redeemer and savior of all men. The people of Jesus’ times saw great light spring up in the spiritual darkness of their day. Those remaining in the shadow of death had a bright light shine upon them. We can offer that same spiritual light today through Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior.

Here are three more great truths declared by Isaiah. They are all fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 42:16:
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Isaiah 50:10:
Who is among you that feareth [respects] the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Isaiah 58:10:
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday.

Those who are spiritually blind will be led by the Father on bright paths of light. Those with no light in their lives can hear God’s servant, the Messiah, and trust in the name of the Lord to be saved (Romans 10:9-13). Even the darkness in our lives will be as bright as the noon sun when we look to him.

Daniel 2:22:
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

God showed Daniel great truths of things to come because God revealed “deep and secret things” to him. God knows how the Devil works, and God’s light overcomes the darkness.

Micah 7:8:
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

Sometimes we seem to “sit” in darkness and wallow in our own problems and despair. God has a better way out for us. He will shine His light unto us through Christ.

Matthew 4:16:
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Here is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 9:2). Those who sat in the shadow of death had light spring up in the person of Jesus Christ. We have Christ in us and can shine today.

Luke 1:79:
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Zachariah’s prophecy about his son, John the Baptist, spoke of how John would prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah. God would send His Son to give light to those sitting in darkness. He would bring salvation and remission, full cleansing, from sins. Then people would be guided to walk in the path of peace.

John 1:5:
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended [seized it down, quenched] it not.

God is light and the darkness cannot push down or quench that light. Even in the darkest room, one little lamp or candle pierces through the dark. Let your light shine so others can see.

John 3:19:
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Man-made religion and modern so-called scientific thought—both of which are idolatry—often have little spiritual light in them. Men love this darkness that they call light. Their deeds are evil, and they don’t want the true light to shine on them.

John 8:12:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 12:35,46:
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Do you want to walk in the light and see where you are going spiritually? Then you must follow the Lord Jesus Christ. He will show you where to go.

Acts 26:18:
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Paul was sent on a mission to make known Jesus Christ, God’s answer to mankind’s need. When we turn to Christ, we turn from Satan’s power and darkness to God’s light and loving grace. Our sins are forgiven, and we are set apart to an eternal inheritance with the Father.

Romans 13:12:
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

I used to walk around clothed in darkness. When I got born again, I decided to throw those works off and put on a new covering—the armor of light.

II Corinthians 4:6:
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

This is the simple truth of light: the same Creator Who first shined light in the dark expanse sent His Son for us. It is only in the face of our savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, that we can fully see the light of God’s glory and grace.

II Corinthians 6:14:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion [full sharing] hath light with darkness?

This doesn’t mean that we can’t hang out with or even have friends who are not Christian. But our heart values should remain true to our Father and His truth. Then we can shine and help others join the light.

Ephesians 5:8:
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

I Thessalonians 5:5:
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

We’re in a whole new “ball game” with Christ in you the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We are no longer standing in centerfield in the dark. The lights are turned on bright—we are God’s kids who stand and walk in His light.

I Peter 2:19:
But ye…should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

How did we get into the light? God graciously called us into it by His rich mercy. Now let’s sing forth His praises. He deserves our love and worship.

II Peter 1:19:
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

Jesus Christ is the day star that rises up in our hearts when we are born again of God’s spirit. We should take heed and follow our Lord’s direction through the scriptures and that spirit within us.

I John 2:8:
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

The world offers many weak and counterfeit lights. We have a new commandment to love one another in Christ. That true light of love now shines in our hearts. Let’s help others out of their darkness by shining the light of Jesus Christ their way. That is the true light!