When Dark is Light
Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! ~ Psalm 43:3
Three-year-olds were gathered around the librarian listening intently to the story she was reading. From over their heads came a loud, thunder-like noise.
To the adults in the room, who had noticed the workmen, seen their trucks, and had heard the librarian explain that she might not be able to give the tour she had hoped because of some work being done, it was obvious what was happening.
The three-year-olds were oblivious until the noise came.
The fearful looks on two little faces reminded us that not everyone was ready for the noises made by workmen above us!
To add to the fear, it was a dreary, rainy day. It looked darker than usual for mid-morning. Our little three-year-old granddaughter was sure it was a thunderstorm. She did not like it.
By the grace of God the librarian was able to give her tour and the three-year-olds saw the men coming down a ladder that looked like it was going through the ceiling. Seeing the truth of where that awful noise came from brought a sense of peace to the group, especially the one I was with!
She seemed to be sure she was going to have to listen to that thunder and deal with real darkness for a while. She would not leave my side.
Most of us are like the three-year-olds when it looks like it’s getting dark and we know an emotional or relational storm is coming.
We are more likely to see the darkness and hear the noise than we are to look closer and see what is happening “above.”
In Psalm 139:11-12, talking to the LORD, the Psalmist (David) says, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night, even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.’”
As David sees the darkness, he reminds himself of the light that illuminates all that the LORD sees. When he saw the truth of what he knew about God, the Light was apparent to him. Without the truth, we stay in the darkness.
The Bible never promises the Christian that there will be no dark days.
What we are promised is that there is no darkness that His Light cannot overcome. That light is the truth that we need to see. It might be hard. It might show dark places we don’t want to see, but until we deal with the truth, we are stuck in the dark.
What situation looks dark to you today? Do you know the truth about it?
When the sun doesn’t shine, and things seem dark, turn to the Light. Look past the darkness, God is there, waiting to take you in His arms to soothe your fearful soul. The darkness is as light to Him.
I love serving Jesus Christ as one who “feeds His sheep”. It is my desire to teach God’s Word diligently, with reverence and awe for the Source of the truths I teach, and with an engaging, and sometimes witty, delivery so that the hearers will not just listen but do what it says.
- For Our Good - February 12, 2020
- Future Benefits - January 8, 2020
- Attention Getting Behavior - October 16, 2019
“It might show dark places we don’t want to see, but until we deal with the truth, we are stuck in the dark.” Profoundly true! When I reflect on past darkness I often got stuck because the truth was there, and I refused to look. Reminding myself that on the other side He is waiting, always got me off the starting block. Thanks for the reminder, Beth!
I’m so like the 3 year olds, some days, catching my breath at the least little sound when I feel afraid. The psalmist says it do well, as of you, writing of God’s illuminating love that covers us. Thank you.
Love the imagery in the post, and, even at 48, feel every bit of a three year old, at times. Grateful for Abba Father’s gentle reminders that I’m never alone, and that there is no need to fear the dark when I’m with Him.