I had a moment getting ready for bed last night that really impacted me. I believe that God was trying to get my attention. Our master bedroom and bathroom are upstairs in our home. When I went upstairs to brush my teeth and wash my face everything seemed to be normal. For whatever reason, last night when I came out of the bathroom my room was dark. This was a bit startling for me, because typically my room never feels this way. There is light from the window on the stairwell. There is light coming through the windows in my room. But last night, I walked out of a bright bathroom into darkness. It was so startling that I literally stopped and gasped.
“How had it gotten so dark? Where was the light I was used to? Had I forgotten to leave any lights on? Who had turned off the lights that typically would be shining?” All these thoughts went through my mind.
I carefully navigated my way to the bed, using both my memory and touch. As I climbed into bed I realized that my room had felt dark. It had appeared as if the light had vanished from it – but it had not. Even in the darkness when my eyes began looking for the light I could begin to see it. And the longer I looked at the light the brighter it seemed to become!
I began to thank God aloud. Thanking Him for His faithfulness and His message to me. You see, things seem pretty dark right now, don’t they? Evil seems to be winning. Evil is being honored and lifted up as if it’s ok. It’s accepted. It’s ok to rape children. It’s ok to kill babies. It’s ok to murder people who look like me. It’s ok to steal and destroy that which isn’t mine. It’s ok to scream obscenities and treat others like they have no value. It’s ok to spread lies about people in authority. It’s ok to think only of myself and my wants. It’s ok to believe that everything is permissible because it fits my lifestyle choice.
After all, it’s my right. It’s my freedom. It’s owed to me. It feels good. I don’t want to be told how to live. This is America.
Nations don’t function well in chaos. For that matter neither does any institution. We are always at our best and in our most effective state when there is unity. A common goal is shared. People must all feel valued and as if they are a part of something greater than themselves. Frankly, I am not sure that unity like this is possible apart from God. Sin gets in the way. Self gets in the way. Ego gets in the way. Darkness becomes the focus instead of the light. Darkness promises what it cannot actually deliver.
It may be dark, but the light has not vanished. God’s light has not ceased to be present. Listen to the word of the LORD out of the book of Psalms. “The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do? But the LORD is in His holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.” (Psalm 11:2-4) “The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. For the LORD loves justice. The virtuous will see His face.” (Psalm 11:5-7) “The LORD replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.” The LORD’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, LORD, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.” (Psalm 12:5-8)
We don’t have to wonder what God thinks about all that is going on in our land! We don’t have to wonder if God sees it. God’s living word speaks to it! It’s there. He hasn’t changed. He remains the same. He is the one who determines what is good and what is evil. Not me. Not my church. Not my friend group. Not my family. Not my government. Evil may be praised throughout the land, but it is not ever going to be accepted or tolerated by a Holy God.
The only way that we can really see the darkness for what it is: focus on the light. Compare it to the light! We don’t have to be deceived. Even though the trap has been set, there is a way to prevent being entangled in it. God hasn’t changed, and His Word remains the same. Read it. Know it. Claim the promises provided in it. The darkness may cause us to pause and even take our breath away, but the light of the world has not departed from us.
LORD, fix our eyes on your light! Hear our cries for help! Rise up to rescue us! Open our eyes to the truth! Grant us a portion of your wisdom and your discernment so that we are not deceived by the darkness. Help us to be grounded in your truth. Instead of looking to society for answers may we look to You – the One who holds all the answers. Make us bold for You, LORD. Increase our passion for You, Father. Heighten our awareness of Your presence. Help us to place great importance on Your directives – Your Word. Give us ears to hear Your voice. Give us the desire to live in obedience to You – putting You first – even when it means dying to self. Especially then. Strengthen our understanding of You. Give us clarity of thought. Increase our love for You, and for others. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Blessings!