Darkness…

 Darkness….

When touring a cave, one of the things to do is turn off all the lights to “see” total darkness. You can hear others talking, you can almost feel darkness…not sure what that feeling is, but it is eerie…

And once you turn the lights on again, you can see, and there is a sense of relief that you can actually see and know where you are…

Recently, I was with some family and friends at Mammoth caves north of Twin Falls and we did that exercise…that cave is so big inside, it just keeps going and going…it doesn’t have the big stalagmites that other caves do, but it is impressive…and you are responsible for your own lights so you can shine them where you want to see…and you can’t see where the light isn’t…

Paul speaks to the Ephesians…there coming to the light…and keeping in the light…

 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 

Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. 

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 

It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 

This is why it is said:“Wake up, sleeper,rise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.” 

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Eph.5.8-17

There are 145+ references to darkness throughout the Bible, the most being in the book of Job and Isaiah…followed by the book of Psalms…

 They grope in darkness with no light;he makes them stagger like drunkards.

Job.12.25

 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;my God turns my darkness into light.

Ps.18.28

 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Ps.112.4

 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;they do not know what makes them stumble.

Prov.4.19

 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,who put darkness for light ando light for darkness,who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Isa.5.20

Thank YOU…. 

Let your light shine…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsHgl-RMvfY

Barney E. Warren, pub.1900 Let your light shine…

Let your light so shine that the world may see How to come to Christ who will set them free; Let its rays gleam bright when the darkness falls, Till each sinful soul for the Savior calls. Refrain: Let your light shine, let your light shine, Let your light so shine before men; That they your works beholding, that they your works beholding, May glorify the Father’s name in heav’n. Let your light so shine everywhere you go, Till the tribes of earth Jesus Christ may know; Let its rays transpose into perfect day, When the clouds of gloom shall be swept away. Let your light so shine that its beams may reach Every darkened soul, thus the gospel preach; Let it brighter shine till that endless day, Bursts upon our sight ne’er to pass away. Let your light so shine every day and hour, That the truth be clothed with divinest pow’r; Let it brightly shine and promote God’s cause, To exalt His name and His holy law.