Light and Darkness

   “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12)

   Jesus is the Light of the world.  In Him there is no darkness and the darkness is overcome by faith in Him.  Darkness is not something we can avoid in our life.  We are a sinful people and those sins drag us into the darkness.  Until we recognize our failings and turn to God for forgiveness the darkness will continue and may grow even darker.  Jesus died in order to offer forgiveness for our sins.  Through that forgiveness we can be cleansed of our sins and return to the light of God.

   But what of the darkness that comes regardless of how we live our life.  Even the most faithful Christians will be faced with darkness in their lives.  That is when our faith is tested; when we feel we’ve been treated unfairly and suffer through no fault of our own.  Yet that is also the time when we need to turn to God the most.

   Satan is the master of darkness and he will bring his gloom to our lives at every opportunity.  When we suffer a tremendous loss, he will tempt us by asking how a loving God could cause His follower to suffer so greatly.  The book of Job is filled with many lessons to be learned by those who feel they are suffering without cause.  “Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshipped.  And he said, ‘Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’”  (Job 1: 20 – 21).

   Even in the darkness we must turn to God, giving Him praise.  We must pray for the light to return.  Regardless the trial He has given us we must have faith that His will is always in our best interest.  As hard as that can be to accept, it is the attitude we need.  The light will return; our faith tells us so.  Though it may seem we are in the depth of the night, the light of dawn awaits us.

   “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1: 5)

Lord, even in the darkness You are there.

Help me see the light.

Help me trust in You.

Let my heart be filled with Your blessed light.

Amen