If you look at different surveys about people’s greatest fears, you see some common responses.
People are afraid of public speaking. They are afraid of snakes, spiders and sharks. They fear death. And one that always seems to make the list: People are afraid of the dark.
The Bible has much to say about darkness and light. In places in the Scriptures, we read of people who are stuck in sin referred to “in darkness” (John 8:12; Eph. 5:7). We see seasons of sadness described as darkness (Eccl. 5:17).
We also see that God turns darkness into light.
“Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining” (1 John 2:8).
“Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous” (Psalm 112:4).
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9).
Perhaps in your life, you are in a season of darkness. You may have experienced a death in the family, and the grief is more than you can bear. Or you feel betrayed, lonely or even depressed, due to life’s disappointments. It could even be your own sin that has put you in a pit of darkness.
Whatever the case, God wants us to look to Jesus in these seasons.
The late, great pastor Adrian Rogers said this about believing Christians: “Your dark night will come to an end. God will turn every hurt to a hallelujah, every tear into a pearl. Your Calvary will one day be an Easter,” and he also relayed this powerful story in a sermon:
A little girl’s mother had died. Her first night apart from her mother, she felt alone in the darkness of her bedroom and left it to sleep with her daddy. They tried to sleep, but unable to see her father’s face, the little girl said, “Daddy, it is so dark. Is your face toward me?”
“Yes, darling, my face is toward you.”
“Daddy, you love me through the dark, don’t you?”
“Yes, sweetheart, Daddy loves you through the dark.” The little girl drifted off to sleep.
That strong man slipped out of bed, fell on his knees and prayed, “Heavenly Father, it is so dark. Is Your face toward me?”
The answer came from heaven, “Yes, My child, My face is toward you.” “Father, do You love me through the dark?”
“Yes, My child, I love you through the darkest night.” The father joined his precious daughter in much-needed sleep.
An unknown poet has written:
So I go on, not knowing;
I would not know if I might.
I would rather walk with Christ in the dark
Than to walk alone in the light.
Whatever season of life you are in—whether you are in the darkness now or not—ponder anew the Light of Christ. Turn to Him today and let His warmth and grace pour into your heart.
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).
