The Dark May Be Getting Darker, But the Light Is Getting Brighter

How do you like to sleep – light on or lights out? Sleep habits are interesting. Many people refuse to go to bed at night without a light on. For some a nightlight is sufficient, but others require full illumination. Then there are those who prefer sleeping in the dark, the darker the better. Even the glow of an electric alarm clock is too much.

 

Personally, I fall into the darker-the-better camp. But other than for sleeping, I’m not a fan of the dark. Nighttime driving isn’t fun for me anymore, and most of the time “night life” consists of “Wheel of Fortune,” a couple other TV favorites, maybe a little reading and then, lights out.

While opinions about sleepy-time darkness differ, most of us would agree darkness in everyday life can be disconcerting. When people talk about ‘things that go bump in the night,’ more often than not it involves toes banging against some furniture while trying to navigate darkened rooms. If you’re a fan of TV mysteries and crime shows, you’ve probably noticed they often start with nighttime scenes. ‘Uh-oh,’ we think, ‘something bad’s about to happen.’ And typically, it does. Sadly, that’s true for real life as well. Evil likes to lurk in the darkness.

 

Some folks would opine that we’re in “dark times,” and I’m inclined to agree. We might not all concur about what that means, but to have even the brightest day darkened all we need to do is turn on the evening news: Natural disasters. Plane crashes. Severe weather outbreaks. Fatal traffic accidents. Major health crises. Reports of violence in many forms. Bad news, always seeming to get worse.

 

Manifestations of the dark side of humanity, of course, date back to the beginning of time: Cain killing his brother Abel out of jealousy. The Israelites enduring 400 years of oppressive slavery in Egypt. King David having an adulterous affair with Bathsheba, then having her husband Uriah killed in an attempt to cover up his sin. The list could go on – and it’s not a short one.

 

During the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, arguably the darkest day in history, actual darkness preceded His death. “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ When He said this, He breathed His last” (Luke 23:44-46).

 

Out of this unspeakable darkness, however, hope and joy quite literally arose to dispel the despair. Christ’s resurrection three days later declared God’s once-and-for-all-time victory over sin. As John 1:4-5 declared, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” The “light of the world” (John 8:12) had not been extinguished.

 

So, while commiserating over the depths into which humankind seems to have fallen, we can also find many promises in the Scriptures that can give us hope. After writing, “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief…,” King David declared, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:9,24).

 

Recently a speaker who often addresses students on college campuses observed, “The dark is getting darker, but the light is getting brighter.” She pointed to signs of spiritual revival and renewal at colleges and universities across the country.

 

Even the entertainment industry, often regarded as a promoter of dark images and thinking, is showing signs of life. Actors, directors and producers are boldly washing their hands of the “Hollywood” lifestyles and ideologies, determined to shift to redemptive, uplifting TV programming and films. 

 

Similar trends can be identified in other segments of society, giving us reason to feel encouraged. Most of all, the Scriptures assure us even the most oppressive darkness is no match for our God. “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You” (Psalm 139:11-12).

 

The book of Isaiah and other prophetic books are replete with declarations about darkness, the relentless assault of diabolical behavior upon the world God created. However, they also offer assurances that light ultimately triumphs.  “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Isaiah 60:1-3).

 

In perhaps his most beloved Psalm, David draws from his experience of leading flocks of sheep through darkness, when even shadows posed intimidating threats. This is one reason his faith in the Lord was so strong: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

 

In our darkest, most desperate moments we have God’s promise that He is with us, ready to guide us back into the light. “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains” (Psalm 107:13-14). 

Are you, or someone you know, feeling enveloped by darkness? All you need to do is cry out to the Lord. He will deliver you. Darkness, at least for some, might be conducive for a good night’s sleep. But it’s not where we want to live. 

Thinking About Light – and Darkness

Not long ago I saw the familiar car bumper sticker that says “Co-Exist,” comprised of various symbols including a peace sign, the Islamic crescent, the Star of David, and the cross. It’s an interesting mix and an appealing idea, kind of along the lines of “Why can’t we all just get along?”

In some respects there’s nothing wrong with that. We should be able to appreciate different viewpoints, and respect those having beliefs other than our own. If we associate with and listen only to people that reinforce our prejudices, how will we learn and grow? Times when people challenged what I believed have often proved to be opportunities to revisit my own convictions and ask myself, “Why do I believe that?” But in reality, some things simply can’t co-exist.

Even a tiny candle has the power
to cast away darkness. 

Take for example, light and darkness. Complete darkness ceases to exist even in the presence of a single lit candle. Turn on a bright overhead light and, like Elvis, darkness leaves the building. True darkness has no alternative but to cower in the presence of light.

Perhaps this is why, especially on topics of profound depth and strong conviction – including faith, religion and spirituality – the notion of totally opposite points of view “co-existing” is at best unlikely and, for all intents and purposes, impossible. I submit as an example two men, both of great intellect, highly educated, and from the same part of the world.

Stephen Hawking, an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist affiliated with the renowned University of Cambridge, and acclaimed author, has said, “There is probably no heaven, and no afterlife either.” A declared atheist who believes science alone holds all the answers of the universe, Hawking has offered his opinion that, “Heaven is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.”

Another Britisher, Dr. John Lennox, professor of mathematics at the equally esteemed University of Oxford, philosopher of science, and staunch defender of the Christian faith, posits an opposing view: “Atheism is a fairy story for those who are afraid of the light.” His view is that science and matters of faith need not – and should not – be regarded as mutually exclusive.

Even the most starry-eyed Pollyanna would be hard-pressed to reconcile such contradictory perspectives. Judging from their credentials, neither Hawking nor Lennox is lacking in intelligence, reasoning powers or educational pedigree. Yet they have reached totally different conclusions. So which one is right?

We might as well ask: which is right, light or darkness?

The Bible speaks a lot about both. Jesus, never one to hem or haw on important matters, was even bold enough to declare, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). A bit later He added, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should walk in darkness” (John 12:46). According to Jesus, light is a far better choice than darkness – and stated He was the one certain way for finding light that can’t be extinguished.

Elsewhere Jesus asserted He had no intention of keeping this light to Himself – and neither should we. In fact, He assured His followers, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden…. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

It’s interesting that our society seems committed to redefining what is light and what is darkness. This is hardly a new phenomenon. Thousands of years ago the prophet Isaiah warned, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

Sadly, many in the media, the political realm, centers of so-called higher education, and in some cases, even churches, affirm a mantra that darkness is good, and therefore light should be avoided. This message appeals to what the Bible calls our “flesh” or “sinful nature,” and can be strongly seductive. So we have a choice. We can follow the path society directs, or heed the admonition of the apostle Paul: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). It’s a pivotal choice no one can make for us.

In doing so, we should keep in mind this assurance: “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18).