Many years ago, while at the University of Connecticut, I was traveling back to my apartment I shared with friends in Storrs, Connecticut. It was late at night and it was pitch black out. It was late fall, overcast, and nothing was left of the moon. And my car decided to quit about two miles from my apartment. I got out and looked for a reason it had quit, other than it was a piece of junk, and just yelled a few profane things at the top of my lungs. To no one. To circumstances. To no avail. And then I noticed how dark it was. It was eerie. Driving along, I realized it was getting late. But on desolate back roads and my mind on upcoming things, along with the distraction of my tape player, I didn’t realize the increasing darkness. This is where I see us as a nation. This is where I see the church. So many have embraced false words, promising hope and light, that they’ve allowed an encroaching and malevolent darkness to enter into our lives without so much as a second look.
This darkness, that now is covering our land, is too similar to what I experienced that night in Connecticut. Frederick Buechner described this so appropriately in his book “Secrets in the Dark.” He said, “This darkness is so complete that it seems less an absence of light than a presence, a darkness so dense and impenetrable, that what little light you have on your own can barely survive in it. It’s hard to believe that it will ever be day again. There is nothing to get your bearings by, nobody anywhere to point you on your way. As you travel slowly into the night, it’s as if night travels slowly into you until the darkness without starts to become indistinguishable from the darkness within. Daybreak is what in every sense you’re hoping toward, the coming of light into every kind of darkness.” This darkness is from the prince of darkness. This darkness manifests itself in lies, hatred, worshipping man not God. Having no love for your neighbor and having no concept of taking up your cross and following Jesus. We ignore Paul’s admonition in 2 Corinthians 6:14 when he warns saying “What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” We’ve embraced the lies of political virulence that is claiming the very souls of so many who once thought they walked in light. It says in Ephesians 5:8, “You were once in darkness, but now you are the light of the world. Walk as children of light.” What happened? Can you say you followed Christ but now discard the cross you’re to carry, and instead follow evil men of corrupt character? What has bewitched you?
We who profess Christ all, at some point, believed that we have this great light, Christ the Lord, which allowed us to no longer sit in darkness as His light has dawned. It’s as if people connected a dimmer switch to this light. This is what Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3, that men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. He said everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light lest his deeds be exposed. But so many are undeterred. These warnings won’t cause them to turn from the dangerous path they’re on and repent. To many, this is now the Christian life. A mixture of worshipping man and falsely swearing allegiance to this Jesus you have concocted in your mind. But things will come apart. Proverbs 4:19 says, “The way of the wicked is like darkness, they do not know what makes them stumble.” You can see them stumble and fall, and at the same time blame their injuries on someone else. Psalm 82:5 says,” They do not know nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable.” People make up their own rules. Interpret scripture to meet their needs. Cast off every warning seen by example throughout the Bible. Yet this encroaching evil and darkness does not scare us. It should. Everyone should be on their face before Him repenting and asking for mercy. But too many have become comfortable in this atmosphere that seeks to suffocate us. This darkness that is quenching the light that is necessary for life. We cannot be comfortable with what is happening in this country. In this world. It’s like Galadriel said in The Rings of Power, “Evil does not sleep, it waits. And in the moment of our complacency it blinds us.” And America’s spiritual vision is need of Holy Spirit ophthalmic surgery. So many are like those that Moses warned of in Deuteronomy 28. Their sins of disobedience and idol worship would cause them to be like a blind person groping about in the dark. This is happening now. It has been and is getting worse at a frightening speed. Jesus healed the spiritually blind also. We so need to press into Him and His word.
I cannot express the urgency needed to see how severe and destructive this darkness is, and also those who willingly walk in it, while calling others to follow them. Jesus said follow Me. You cannot serve two masters. There is only one true path of righteousness. Do not attempt to kindle your own fire or warm yourself by the fire of lies being lit everywhere today. The Moffat Translation of Isaiah 50:11 says to those who walk this path of darkness of their own making, “But you who kindle strife, set the world ablaze, begone to your flames, all of you, to the firebrands you have lighted! This is your fate from Me, to lie in torments.” I believe even the darkness longs for the light. The true light. For even the darkness once tasted of Him who created it. It’s those that embrace the tangible evil of darkness that fear what the light will bring. For they’ll have no part in its glory. Call on Him while it is still today. Embrace Him who is the only Way. Discard every lie and offered path that only leads to darkness. Blessings.
Stand My Watch 