The Light Shines In The Dark by Kathi Macias

and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:5).

            I had an alarming email from a friend the other day, exposing something so dark and sinister that my first reaction was to recoil from the truth, to deny it and try to wish it away. But of course, I couldn’t, because even before receiving the email, I had heard much of this centuries-old conspiracy and knew it was a fact, though I didn’t know all the details. I still don’t, nor will I ever this side of eternity. I do know, however, that as dark as our enemy may be and as evil as his schemes, the One who is in us is greater—and He is the source of all light.

            It is understandable that those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior, who have never repented and been born again and therefore have His Spirit living within would be easily deceived by the father of lies, but even we who know Jesus personally must be careful not to let the darkness overwhelm and sidetrack us from the mission God has given us. True, as children of the One who is Light we must expose the darkness whenever possible, but how do we do that? Certainly not by focusing or obsessing on the darkness, but rather by dwelling in the Light. Yes, it’s important to know our enemy and how he operates—especially the fact that he often appears as an “angel of light”—but the only way to have our senses trained to discern between truth and lies, good and evil, true light and darkness, is to dwell in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the wings of the Almighty, safe and protected in His love.

            James 4:7 tells us to “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” We cannot resist the devil in our own strength. He is far too smart and too strong to be defeated by finite mortals. But the Scriptures also promise us that even in the darkest of places, God’s light shines bright and triumphant—and the darkness cannot comprehend it. The original meaning of that word “comprehend” assures us that not only does the darkness not understand God’s light, it cannot snuff it out. The Light wins over the darkness—always.

            Hang on to that great and eternal truth, dear ones; spend your time in the light of God’s Word and His love, and the darkness will never overwhelm or sidetrack you from the mission God has given you.

January 17, 2008