September 1 2017 – Click here to listen
Many people are afraid of the dark. In fact, I read the following: “Achluophobia, or the fear of the dark, often tops the list of the most common phobias.” I think the fear of the unknown is part of the problem. People don’t like to live in confusion or uncertainty, and the darkness can put us right in the middle of those feelings. Without light, we are disoriented and can feel helpless, confused, and overwhelmed.
We need to understand one thing about darkness, namely, it is not the opposite of light, rather it is the absence of light. Darkness can only be achieved by removing all light. Of course, adding light removes darkness.
When we choose to live a life apart from Jesus, it’s like we are choosing to live a life trapped in darkness. Take a look at the world with its chaos and rage and the feeling of helplessness that has overtaken most of it. The earth’s inhabitants are filled with uncertainty, doubt, and confusion and many reject having a relationship with Jesus which is the only thing capable of freeing us from darkness’s grip.
The Bible teaches that God is light. 1 John 1:5 – This is the message that we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
When God draws near darkness will disappear!
1 Tim. 6:16 states: He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.
Mortal eyes cannot bear the brightness of His Divine glory, and none can approach him UNLESS He is made known unto sinners in and by Christ. Thus, the solution to the matter of ridding the darkness from our lives is to draw closer to God through Jesus Christ.
Only then can we boldly join the Psalmist and say: “Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night . . .” Psalm 91:3
Often at funerals Psalms 23:4 is read: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Think about what the Holy Spirit is telling us. A shadow is harmless. It can only exist if the light is blocked by something. As we walk towards the light of the Lord Jesus there is no darkness ahead of us; only harmless shadows cowering behind us. And when we enter heaven we will be totally surrounded, immersed, and engulfed by the beautiful, brilliant, glorified light of His presence all around us with no shadows or darkness to be found.
It is foolhardy for a Christian to fear death and if we are not afraid of death, what supersedes it? God wants us to be free from all fear, confusion, chaos, dread, uncertainty, hopelessness, helplessness, and sin and to rest in His perfect peace, joy, and love. Allow Him to set you free today.
2 Corinthians 3:16
“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit . . .”
Tomorrow I head overseas for a couple of weeks. Please, if you don’t mind pray for me to have a safe journey. I will have very limited access to technology of any kind so if you want to write me a nasty letter now would be the perfect time. LOL! I won’t have to read it.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!