Prophets of gloom and doom abound. E-mails flood my “in box” on a daily basis warning of the impending fiscal cliff that is just over the horizon. Add to that unpleasant possibility the current widespread turmoil in the Muslim world and the numerous attacks against American consulates and embassies, and the “weather forecast” tends a little toward the bleak side. Ominous warnings abound, some coming from credible sources both military and political. Are darker days ahead? Could be. Does this mean that there is no hope? Is a financial collapse coming? Will the so-called “Arab Spring” turn out to be an “Arab Winter” or worse yet, an “ice age”? I don’t know the answers to these questions, nor does any other man. But one thing I know; in the spiritual domain light ALWAYS defeats darkness. There is hope, but it is beyond this world.

   The reason darkness cannot defeat the light is rooted in the truth that God is light (Psalm 27:1) and He is in control. He is “over all, in all, and through all” (Ephesian 4:6). Also, we know from 1 John 1:5 that  “in Him there is no darkness at all”. He is the very anthesis of darkness.

   The profundity of these realities is almost impossible to grasp. As the Psalmist pondered these truths about God, he was astonished by his awareness of God’s transcendence. He noted that it is impossible to travel beyond the sphere of God’s knowledge or to be out of the reach of His mighty, helping hand. Note the following:

7 Where can I go from Thy Spirit?
Or where can I flee from
Thy presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

10 Even there Thy hand will lead me,
And Thy right hand will lay hold of me.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,"

12 Even the darkness is not dark to Thee,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to Thee.

Psalm 139:7-12

 

   Darkness is no match for God. The Psalmist is confident that darkness will not / cannot overwhelm him. We can also draw strength and courage from our understanding of this revelation. Even if “darker” days come, we need not fear if we are on the Lord’s side. He will carry us through!    Ken Dart