2020 A Dark Place, 2021 It’s Time for the Light!
2020 will be forever known as a dark time in the history of the world. However, even, or should I say especially in the darkest hour, the Light of the World came, died, and arose so that we can overcome the darkness!
Recently at my nephew’s funeral, my niece mentioned that her brother, “Had found himself in a dark place recently.” Those words have weighed heavy on my heart ever sense. So much so that I had to go The Truth to see what God had to say about this dark place. This is what I found.
“I will lead my blind people along ways that they did not know before. I will be their guide, as they walk along paths that are new to them. I will change the dark places that are in front of them, so that they become places with light. And I will cause the rough ground to become flat. Those are the things that I will do for them. I will not leave my people alone.” Isaiah 42:16
What a powerful promise God’s gives us in that verse! A good place to start my quest is with a question, “How does someone end up in a dark place?”
Well, sometimes it is from poor choices, while other times it is a result of those influencing you. The most challenging scenario is when you are led into the dark place, often called the wilderness, by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit led Jesus after He was baptized directly into this dark place to be tested. Why should we expect anything else?
I personally agree with the statement, ‘You become who you surround yourself with.’ Surround yourself with people who walk in light and you will become exactly that. This starts with making sure you surround yourself with Jesus by asking Him to come live inside you. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Another good question is “What do you do when you find yourself unexpectedly in a dark place?” I find the answer in Ephesians 5:11 says, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” There is only one way to expose the darkness, and that is with heavenly light! John 3:20 says, “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.”
Our prayer for the lost should align with Acts 26:18 “Open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Why should we believe in that prayer when decreeing it? Because God promises, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
1 John 1:5 takes that promise to another level! “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
For you are all children of light. We are not of the darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. Col 1:13
In Luke 4, Jesus spoke the words we must all learn to proclaim and decree as children of God, ““The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news…” Jesus spoke these words fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah. As followers of Jesus, we are to speak these words letting the darkness know that the Fire of the Holy Spirit now lives in us providing the necessary light to expose and deliver us from the dark place. When His Spirit is upon or in you, you become a light. The Fire of the Holy Spirit ignites the light in you.
Jesus announced himself to world as the anointed Son of God and later Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. John 12:35. But if anyone walks in the darkness, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” John 11:10.
An interesting note. God anoints whoever he so chooses. He anointed Cyrus, Saul, and Jehu. Three evil leaders who all played an important part in fulfilling God’s plan. The truth be told, we are all sinners saved by Grace from the Dark Place! Question is will you come to the light, because He is calling you out of the darkness. All of these evil leaders could have chosen to leave the darkness. The most powerful choice we will ever make is choosing The Light!
I could go on all day about our Light and Savior, but I will end this with a verse I was taught as a kid. The 23rd Psalms speaks to the dark place calling it the valley of the shadow of death.
Matthew and Luke speak about this place. “To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:79 The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4.
In Israel there’s actually a valley called “The Shadow of Death.” It is said to be a steep, dark, and narrow canyon where the sun only reaches it when it is directly overhead. David may have led his sheep up this valley… They say this valley was once a fertile plain, but now it’s nothing but desolation.
In translating the ancient Hebrew, the “valley of the shadow of death” as we know it isn’t quite accurate. The Hebrew word is sal-ma-wet, which means “darkness.” Some translate it as “dark shadow.” Either way, the root word for both versions is the same as it is for death, which is probably why many Bible translations say “shadow of death.” However, this would not fit in context with the rest of Psalm 23.
First, Psalms 23:4 is not a reference to any spiritual darkness or the terror we feel when we’re heading to the grave. Rather, it is a reference to how we should regard the dark times in our lives…whatever is causing us to feel as if we’re walking in uncertainty or confusion, these are our dark places. Exactly where many of us find ourself in 2020.
The rest of Psalms 23 tells us why we should not fear this dark place! “I may walk through a valley that is as dark as death. But I will not be afraid of any danger. This is because you are with me, Lord. Your stick and your shepherd ‘s pole make me feel brave. You prepare a big meal for me while my enemies watch. You put olive oil on my head. You bless me so much that my cup is completely full. I am sure that you will always be good to me. You will love me all the days of my life. That will never change. I will live in the Lord ‘s house for as long as I live.” Psalms 23:4-6 EASY
I challenge you to take this promise with you into 2021. Not only go the light, but become and spread the light. Be baptized in Fire and consumed by the Light, so that like Peter even your shadow touches others!