Shock of the Coming Darkness
We do not belong to the night or the darkness.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%205&version=EHV>
I am writing this on the evening of first day of the end of daylight savings time. The sunset time for today is 5:23 pm; it will be 5:21 tomorrow. It really gets dark early.
According to my Bible word search, the term “darkness” can be found 149 times: 108 occurrences in the Old Testament and 41 uses in the New Testament. Two things that I found surprising, the book of Job has thirty-two incidences of “darkness”, all most as many as the whole New Testament. The second, the book of Revelation does not use that word at all. Job laments the day of his birth, he thinks it should be reclaimed by the darkness (Job 3:3-5 EHV). We know Job’s story, and that can make sense to us. However, what about Revelation and all that end times jargon? Shouldn’t there be some mention in those dark times? That’s what pop culture and an incomplete understanding of Scripture would draw as a conclusion.
It is also the eve of a national presidential election. Again, pop culture and an incomplete understanding of Scripture hints at the shock of the coming darkness.
The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201&version=EHV>
The light has come into the world, yet people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203&version=EHV>
Jesus told them, “The light will be with you just a little while longer. Keep on walking while you have the light, so that darkness does not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become sons of light.”
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012&version=EHV>
Jesus spoke to them again, he said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208&version=EHV>
The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light,
and on those dwelling in the region and the shadow of death a light has dawned.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204&version=EHV>
I’ve started to take my vitamin D³ to blunt the effects of the time change. As for the election, I’ll be reading Job and Revelation. Also this, just for good measure:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. At one time you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. At one time you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202&version=EHV>
Lord, have mercy on your people, let your people reflect your mercy.
Trust the Promises,
Steve Skiver