As I troll through different media headlines, it sure feels dark out there. Wars, terrorism, racism, attacks on party leaders, fighting, transgenderism, gay pride in clothing stores, national threats, and border breakdowns begin to give us a glimpse. Add onto that our own personal relationships and struggles and the weight is too much. As I think about the dark world I feel for my kids and grandkids future. I don’t want them living in a terrifying place long after I’m gone. Thinking about the darkness is tough. We can feel depressed, downtrodden, less hopeful, and even angry. What am I to do with such a dark world and one that takes aim to constantly remind me? The light of Scripture steers my thoughts.

As I process the darkness all around I am reminded and directed by the following realities.

1. The world has always been dark. Since Adam and Eve chose to sin, the world has always been dark. One family on the planet and already a murder takes place. A few chapters and generations later, the world is so bad that every inclination of human hearts is evil. Even after a great worldwide judgment, one family grows and together bands against the Lord (at the Tower of Babel) only to have the Lord confuse their language and spread them throughout the earth. Moving forward, Egypt enslaves Israel. Israel is freed by God’s great and merciful power only to create their own false idols and gods. In the Promised Land, Israel does some of the most disgusting sins in killing their own children and seeking same sex rape.

The picture is clear—this world has always been dark. Darkness today shouldn’t surprise us. This is what happens when creation rejects its Creator and Savior.

2. The world has always had a light. Since Adam and Eve’s sin, the Lord has been the light that overcomes and still works His sovereign plans over and through a dark world. He mercifully gave Adam and Eve a covering after they sinned and promised them hope in their lineage. He was merciful to Cain after he murdered his brother. He provided Noah a saving ark for him and his family. He made a unilateral covenant with Abraham for the benefit of the nations even after the Tower of Babel. He gave Israel sacrifices to cover their sins. He judged His people in the land. He sent His one and only Son to reveal Himself and His plan of salvation. He worked through the hard hearts of the Jews and the Romans to provide us an atoning sacrifice. He sent His Spirit to change the hearts of man. And the list goes on and still continues even today.

Darkness is everywhere, but so is the light of our Lord overcoming and saving.

3. The Lord has designated us to be lights. What am I supposed to do now? It is overwhelming trying to solve the world’s problems, let alone even process them all. The Lord directs us to be a light right where we are at. Shine the grace and truth of the light of the world (Jesus) in word and deed right where you live and in the relationships you have. The dark world needs to see your light, the light of Jesus Christ within you.

Darkness is everywhere. Instead of letting it get you down, shine within and make a difference where the Lord has you.

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14–16