Five Reasons God’s Light Helps Us “See in the Dark”

I bought a pair of night-vision binoculars during this year’s Black Friday weekend. There’s something about seeing in the dark that really draws me, especially when walking through Texas woods at night! I started thinking of the spiritual analogy of “seeing in the dark,” being able to move forward confidently when I don’t know where I’m going! This world can throw major curve balls at us, like my Stage 4 melanoma cancer battle in 2002, when I felt surrounded by the darkness of fear, doubt and pain. Yet God was there all along!

Consider five reasons God’s light helps us “see in the dark.” 

1) God is Never in the Dark

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you – Psalm 139:11-12.

We start from God’s vantage point – as always! He’s forever at peace and rest, never confused, insecure or shaky. Darkness does not faze Him, in point of fact, there’s no such thing as darkness to Him. During my cancer battle, it helped to know God was rock-steady as I spun like a top. Sure, He was allowing me to go through rough times, but He was always in full control.

2) God Shines His Light ON us in the Person of Jesus

The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles — the people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned – Matthew 4:15-16.

Light piercing darkness is such a powerful biblical imagery, especially at Jesus’ birth. We were “sitting” in darkness, with no options, but His spotlight of love and care dawned with Jesus’ coming. In your difficult journey, don’t just “sit” in the darkness, invite Him to flood His light all over you.

3) God Shines His Light IN us in the Person of Jesus

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ – 2 Corinthians: 4:6.

At Christmas we celebrate our Emmanuel, or “God with us.” This has new meaning when we realize He still resides in human bodies today! Once Jesus has come to dwell inside of a believer (click here to discover how that happens), His “face” brings light INSIDE of us. His face is His awesome kindness, amazing care, and abundant favor, all easily accessed by our simple focus upon Him. He’s not distant when He’s inside.

4) God’s Light Overcomes Darkness

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it – John 1:5.

Light overcomes darkness, so that it does not dominate us. We have choices now, when before all we could do was “sit” in the darkness. Don’t let a misdiagnosis, bad prognosis, a friend’s neglect, or a doctor’s attitude usher in a cloud of darkness over your mood and spirit. Look to Jesus’ powerful light to lift you above and over all things, whether human error or even outright evil words. Like I always say, a cancer battle isn’t just really hard, it’s impossible! So invite His light to rule and overcome the dark.

5) God’s Light Instantly Transforms us into His Lights

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light – Ephesians 5:8.

It’s not just about receiving light now, it’s about giving it out. Be the light that He’s made you to be at your new birth. It’s not that we’re generating our own light, we’re letting His light flow out of us! So shine on, my friends!