“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.” – Psalm 139: 11,12
I resonate with the Psalmist, David’s words. I feel the darkness around me, at times feeling like it will squeeze out any light that tries to creep in. That’s what death seems to try to do… squeeze out the light. Is death, sorrow, heartache, deep disappointment, a darkness of the soul seemingly squeezing out any ray of light that seems to break through? You are not alone, the Psalmist felt your pain… my pain and yet, still lifted his eyes to the light even when it seemed there was no light around.
I recently read the following story of a man who lost his wife from Nancy Guthrie’s, One Year Book Of Hope Devotional:
“Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse was one of America’s great preachers. His first wife died from cancer when she was in her thirties, leaving behind three children under the age of twelve. Dr. Barnhouse was driving home from the funeral service with his children when a huge truck stopped next to them at a traffic light, blocking the sunlight and covering the car with its shadow. He turned to his children and said, ‘Death is like that. It blocks the sunshine, but the sun is still shining.”
Yes, it feels as though death has blocked the sun, but the sun is still shining. Jesus.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12
I’ve needed to be reminded of that this week, this month. As I’ve begun to enter into the deep places of my grief at times it has felt as if the darkness will engulf and overwhelm me. But Jesus. Always “but, Jesus” in those dark places has begun to breath light and life… his life, his light in brighter ways then I’ve ever known. Sometimes I’ve been resistant, sometimes I’ve been in awe and sometimes i’ve just been sorrowfully present and still Jesus has continued to speak light into this broken heart. This morning was one of those “light” moments as I read Isaiah 9. I was struck by all the promises of light that Jesus brings, that his coming brings, that his coming again brings.
Are you in anguish? There will come a day when there is no more gloom, no more darkness.
Are you walking in darkness? You will see a great light. The light of the world.
Have you been living in the land of deep darkness? Yes, it’s on you that the light of Jesus comes to shine.
Jesus will multiply the nation. Jesus will increase it’s joy. And we will rejoice before him.
The burdens, the rods, the oppression and the oppressors will be broken.
For the one whose name is
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR
For the one whose name is
MIGHTY GOD
For the one whose name is
EVERLASTING FATHER
For the one whose name is
PRINCE OF PEACE
Has come. Is coming again.
And HIS rule brings peace, a peace that will not end.
He has come to establish HIS kingdom
With Justice
With Righteousness
Forever. And ever. And ever. And ever….
Oh the light will shine, the darkness lifted… For He shines light in the darkness. He makes a way in the wilderness. This is the Lord. This is his promise.
The darkness will be as light.
It will not be dark forever, for he breaks through the darkness in ways unseen. He shines light… His light, redemptive light, hope light, into the places long devastated.
Jesus has come.
Light has come. Light is coming.
Oh Jesus, will you shine your light, your redemptive, restorative, hope light into the dark places of my heart, of our hearts? I know at times it may feel like it gets darker before it gets lighter… but it is in the places of deep darkness where your light shines brightest. And I want to know that kind of light. I need to know that kind of light.
- A Time to be Silent and a Time to Speak - October 29, 2020
- Teaching Them to Hope, Birthday After Birthday. - January 15, 2020
- A Taste of Hope Fulfilled – Briella Dawn’s Birth Story - August 3, 2018
