Don't Be Afraid of the Dark!

Are you afraid of the dark? I understand. Believe me, I do understand. Something about being in the darkness is unsettling. It's disorienting. It's unknown.. We love to be able to see things clearly and to understand clearly. But my friend, this Christian life is a walk of faith. For we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor.5:7)! So stop trying to see everything clearly; to understand everything clearly. There are some things we aren't meant to know until we first experience being in the dark. The unknown. The uncomfortable. The disconcerting.

"I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places...." Isa. 45:3 (NKJV).

Define 'treasure': (a very valuable object)

(according to Merriam-Webster (wealth of any kind or in any form:

RICHES)

The definition of 'darkness' is the partial or total absence of light (Oxford Languages). Darkness is, to say the least, uncomfortable. Remember the summer of '2003? The widespread power outage of '2003 affected parts of the Northeastern, Midwestern parts of the United States and it even included the province of Ontario, Canada. That was a scary time, my friend.

I remember it well. People were scrambling for ways to save their food, scrambling for ways to get gas for their cars so that they could continue to go to work. And yes, scrambling for light. Light, any kind would do. Flashlight, candle, cigarette lighter, you name it. People needed light. But here is my question. Why are we so afraid of the dark? And furthermore, why would God indicate that there are "treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places"? Let's explore that.....

As I said before, darkness is unsettling, disorienting, unknown. I, for one, like to know what's going on. I need to understand some things. I don't enjoy being "in the dark". I think it's in our DNA to be curious. Man is guilty of it. Even animals are guilty of it. We have a need to know what's going on. What something is. Where did this come from? You get the picture.

That's what got Adam and Eve in trouble in the first place. They wanted to know about that piece of fruit. Would they really die from eating it? Well, needless to say they got their answer and it has affected all creation ever since then. Sin was introduced to God's creation.

However, God gives us a key in dealing with darkness. He says "I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret things". There are valuable things hidden in dark places. Think about it. When you have something that is precious to you or has any value to you, you don't leave it out in the light for a thief to get to. Satan is a thief. He comes to "steal, kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10 NKJV). We really don't want our valuables taken from us so I think God feels the same way. He doesn't want the things that are of value to Him to be stolen or destroyed.

What are some things that God treasures? Good question. Let's start with praise. God loves our praises. He loves when we thank Him for each day; when we appreciate the beauty of His creations. He loves when we just love HIM just for being Him! It may be challenging to do in the midst of hard times, but, God loves our praises!!! Believe me, you'll feel much better when you do it!

Here's another...God treasures peace. The Word of God says in Isa. 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." God gives peace right in the midst of the storms. It's comforting to know that there is someone in control of everything (like Covid-19). It's good to know that our worries and fears can be laid aside. It's good to know that everything we need is already provided for. That alone gives peace of mind. And it's good to know that we have someone who knows and cares about us.

And then there is love. What can I say? I can't leave out love. Love is highly treasured by God. For it is the very heart of God. We are here today because God loves. From the very beginning, God loved Adam and Eve, even though He knew that they would disobey Him.

But don't be mad at Adam and Eve, for out of their action of plunging mankind into the darkness of sin, the light was prophesied to come. And not just any light, but THE LIGHT of the World. Yes, my friend, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, came down to earth to save us all from the darkness of sin.

In the darkness are treasures to be gained. I call them "my golden nuggets". You'll never know how to appreciate praise, peace, love, and so many others, until you first go through the darkness of sickness, pain, death, unemployment. This is just to name a few. Out of the darkness came a great light. Jesus. The Light of the World. So my friend, don't be afraid of the dark. Because Jesus is there waiting for you!!!

Be encouraged,

Zelphia D. (Zel)

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