In the darkness

Psalm 88:12 Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Stumbling around in the dark is not fun, by any definition of fun. Bumping into things, constantly wondering If you are going to suddenly, and painfully, encounter an object that will bring you to an abrupt halt is not a good feeling. I take heat for having flashlights all around the house, or hotel when traveling. But on several occasions, the flashlights have proven to be very useful and comforting.

In our lives we encounter two kinds of darkness. There is the physical darkness (the absence of light) and a spiritual darkness (the absence of the light of Christ).  The physical darkness can be discomforting to be in. Usually we seek to quickly restore a source of light.  When it comes to spiritual darkness the problem can be a bit more difficult. Have you ever encountered someone who is truly living in spiritual darkness?  That would be someone what at the least is not a follower of Jesus Christ, at the most they are evil. And by evil I mean through their actions, or words exhibit the lack of respect for people, animals, the environment. They may bring on a feeling of discomfort, distress, or even repulsion. While the presence of evil is downplayed in our current society and on modern media, it really does exist. And I am not just talking about zombies and vampires. I am talking about real evil. The evidence of the factual presence of evil speaks for itself. Suicide bombers that take the lives of innocent people are one example. Serial killers who kill others for no reason whatsoever. There is without any doubt evil in our world. Evil was there in the garden of Eden, and roams the earth today like a hungry lion waiting to devour its’ next victim. Some may argue there is more evil in our world today than at any other time in history. I wonder if that is true, or not. When I think about God the Father sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth over two thousand years ago I have to think things back then were pretty bad too. The religious leaders had distorted the word of God and had placed burdens on believers that no one could fulfill. The hypocrisy of those times was immense (ginormous).  And yet look at present day society. How far off the path illuminated by Christ has our world gone? We can scarcely see Christ through the fog of deception that is called societal norms. Yet, through all of this, stands the light of Christ like a beacon on a hill. His light shines for all to see. His light pierces the darkness, and exposes all the ugliness hidden by the darkness. Those living in spiritual darkness knows it is evil they are drawn to. And those in spiritual darkness chose to accept darkness. Yet Christ is waiting to embrace even those in the darkness regardless of their past. Total acceptance is what Jesus is all about. All that is in the past is forgiven. A bright future can be found for those who leave the darkness and walk to the light of Christ.

PRAYER: Father, the darkness that walks this earth can be scary and at times it seems overwhelming. Evil stands in stark contrast to the righteousness of Christ. Help us to stay in the light. Help us to reach out to those who do not know the righteousness of Christ. Protect us from the evil that seeks to devour all men and women in this world. This we ask in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.