No Fear of the Darkness
For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. Therefore I am terrified at his presence; when I consider, I am in dread of him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me; yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.
Job 23:14–17
+
No Fear of the Darkness
Being afraid of the dark is a common fear found in most children and even many adults. The darkness obscures and hides what might be dangerous. Monsters in the closet and under the bed only come out in the darkness. Criminals do their bad deeds by cover of night. Evil loves to lurk in the darkness. The darkness is the natural home for sin. We ourselves seek the shadows when we enter into sin. We hide away the sinful desires of our hearts in the darkness of our minds. Job recognizes there is something to be feared even more than the darkness, and that is God. He fears God’s wrath against sin. He fears God’s justice against the unjust. We too should fear God, for we deserve nothing but His wrath and condemnation. Yet in the midst of our darkened lives Christ breaks fourth and scatters the darkness with His glorious light. He defeats the army of darkness and in so doing reconciles us to the Father. In Christ we have forgiveness and live. In Christ’s light we rest secured, a light no darkness can overcome. Therefore, we need not fear the darkness because in that darkest of hours, on a desolate hill called Calvary, the Light of the World paid for our sins. And on that first Easter morning the empty tomb bore witness to the victory of the Light of Christ over the darkness of sin, death, and the devil.
Job 23:14–17
+
No Fear of the Darkness
Being afraid of the dark is a common fear found in most children and even many adults. The darkness obscures and hides what might be dangerous. Monsters in the closet and under the bed only come out in the darkness. Criminals do their bad deeds by cover of night. Evil loves to lurk in the darkness. The darkness is the natural home for sin. We ourselves seek the shadows when we enter into sin. We hide away the sinful desires of our hearts in the darkness of our minds. Job recognizes there is something to be feared even more than the darkness, and that is God. He fears God’s wrath against sin. He fears God’s justice against the unjust. We too should fear God, for we deserve nothing but His wrath and condemnation. Yet in the midst of our darkened lives Christ breaks fourth and scatters the darkness with His glorious light. He defeats the army of darkness and in so doing reconciles us to the Father. In Christ we have forgiveness and live. In Christ’s light we rest secured, a light no darkness can overcome. Therefore, we need not fear the darkness because in that darkest of hours, on a desolate hill called Calvary, the Light of the World paid for our sins. And on that first Easter morning the empty tomb bore witness to the victory of the Light of Christ over the darkness of sin, death, and the devil.
Recent
Archive
2023
January
Responding to GodLamentationSeek GodThe Day of the LordA Matter of FaithThe Secure and the ComplacentThe Pride of the PeopleFrom Depths of WoeVisions of FireA Plumb LineAmaziahSummer FruitA Final VisionA Word of HopeA VisionHumiliationDisplacedStanding AloofHouse of FireRestorationHeeding God’s CallOverboardInside the Great FishFor a Second TimeMessage ReceivedNot FairA Lesson on MercyWho Is Like the Lord?O Earth!Then and NowLament
February
Courtroom DramaEnemies of GodThe Lord GathersFalse ProphetsZionRestorationWise MenIn, But Not OfGod’s ReproachSurvey the CrossLook to the LordVindicationThe Lord’s DeliveranceA Merciful HymnBack AgainLord’s Wrath and CareDoom and DeliveranceThe Enemies of GodOur ConquerorWoe to the City of BloodshedNo Other God’sAre You Better?Prophecy FulfilledThe Prophet SawHow Long?God in the MidstJustice ServedThe God of History
March
Waiting for an AnswerA Dire SituationA Twisting of the TruthIn His Image and In His LikenessThe Lord’s NameThe Sin of ManFear, Love, and TrustThe Day of SalvationThe Word of the LordThe Lord’s JudgmentClear and to the PointBe SilentThe Day of WrathSeek the LordGardensRunning After Other GodsSwordsThe Kingdoms of this WorldWhere is Your Trust?The Lord’s RemnantThe Truth of His WordThe Human HeartA Song of VictoryRebuildingObedienceSurpassing GloryA Faithful ResponseLooking to the FutureReturn to the Lord!A Performative WordFour Horns