The People Who Walk in Darkness

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The People Who Walk in Darkness

In grade school social studies class,  when the teacher and text spoke of the  “Dark Ages”,  I don’t recall any clear explanation  of why that time period was called  the “Dark Ages”.      Along with a number of others in the class,  we just assumed that somehow or another  the sun was darkened.      With no one questioning such a situation  and no explanation given,  it was quite some time  before we realized  this time period had that title  because there was very little education  for the masses.      They were educationally  in the dark.      Consequently,  it was a time of poverty,  ignorance,  and cultural decline.

God’s word,  the Bible,  calls our lack of knowledge  of God’s truths  a spiritual darkness.      The heathens were in the dark  because they superstitiously worshiped idols,  and lived in fear  of mythical gods  doing them harm.      Jews,  who trusted in traditions  and man-made laws  over and above  God’s word  were living in spiritual darkness,  because the religious leaders  were not teaching God’s truths.

Many people live in spiritual darkness today.      They might be spiritually stumbling around  in a philosophy  that denies God’s existence.      They might be in a poverty-stricken area  with gangs,  drugs,  alcohol,  and sex  being the dominant life styles.      They might be wealthy,  feeling they have no need for God  to provide anything.      Others live in a setting that never talks about God.      They don’t know anything about the seriousness of sins  and the consequences  of not accepting salvation  in Christ Jesus.

When Isaiah prophesied  about the coming of a Savior from sin,  around 740 years before Jesus was born,  he wrote in Isaiah 9:2-3  about the effects of God’s spiritual light  for us when the Savior would be born.      Describing the effects of Jesus’ birth and life,  Isaiah says,

The people who walk in darkness
Will see  a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light  will shine on them.
Thou shalt  multiply the nation,
Thou shalt  increase their gladness;
They will be glad  in Thy presence.

The spiritual darkness of Jews and Gentiles  caused them to live  with the burdens of sin,  with little hope of getting  away from the effects of immoralities,  drunkenness,  idolatry,  thievery,  swindling,  etc.      They didn’t like what rape,  incest,  drunkenness,  and all their other sins did  to their need  for a feeling of well-being,  peace,  and happiness.      But,  they thought  they just had to harden themselves  to the effects of their sins  and try to protect themselves  as best they could.      It was a time of great spiritual darkness  because they had no clue  of the love and salvation  God Almighty wanted to give them  in Jesus Christ.

But,  when Jesus came and preached God’s truths to them,  Jesus opened their spiritual eyes  to the light and truths  of God’s word.      With Jesus’ preaching,  the people were glad beyond description.      Jesus proved His divinity  by doing miracles  that provided earthly relief  and gladness.      But,  the good news of forgiveness  and eternal life  were even more greatly treasured.      They had the light of eternal hope  and truth.      People today  can still receive the light  of God’s word into their lives.

1 John 1:5-10 lays out God’s truth for us this way,

And this is the message  we have heard from Him  and announce to you,  that God is light,  and in Him there is no darkness at all.

If we say  that we have fellowship with Him  and yet walk in the darkness,  we lie  and do not practice the truth;  but  if we walk in the light  as He Himself is in the light,  we have fellowship  with one another,  and the blood of Jesus His Son  cleanses us  from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin,  we are deceiving ourselves,  and the truth is not in us.      If we confess our sins,  He is faithful  and righteous  to forgive us our sins  and to cleanse us  from all unrighteousness.      If we say  that we have not sinned,  we make Him a liar,  and His word is not in us.

John’s words outline God’s truth for us.      Let us carefully consider everything we are shown in this light  and live in it,  so that we don’t have to  stumble around  in the dark.      This light brings relief,  joy,  and eternal life.

As God gives us light when we dwell in His word,  we say,  “Hallelujah!      Lord,  we cannot bear the burden  of our sins.      Cleanse us from all sin,  that we may live in Your light.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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