The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -John 1:5 (ESV)
Darkness has cast its shadow across our world and pervaded our culture. Over the last few centuries, the devil has crept in so silently that most people aren’t even aware of his existence or the cloak of darkness he’s draped over society.
As part of the minority who recognizes the seemingly hopeless spiritual battle going on in the world around us, it can be disheartening, to say the least—if not downright scary. In the face of such a formidable enemy, there seems to be a pathetic little we can ever hope to achieve in combatting it.
But darkness isn’t the only force in the spiritual realm, and we’re not alone.
Over 2,000 years ago, darkness held what seemed to be complete sway over humanity. Not only was this world just as broken as ever, but the gates of heaven were closed. We had zero hope.
But in the midst of so much darkness, on a cold night in a stable, a baby was born. And light flooded the battlefield. God’s plan of salvation reached its zenith. He didn’t abandon us to the darkness: He came after us into the heart of the devil’s lair and gave everything He had—even His own life…and emerged victorious.
Jesus, the Light of the World, defeated darkness, sin, and death—once and for all—to give us hope. Light will always conquer darkness.
So, we don’t have to live in fear and despair. Our king calls us to have courage and take heart, because no matter how hopeless things seem, He walks through the valley of the shadow of death with us…and darkness cannot overcome Him. He calls us to fight the good fight and save a thousand souls, because no matter how dark things seem, there’s still some good in this world…and it’s worth fighting for. He calls us to be knights of light, to never give in, to shine like stars in a black sky, because no matter how much pressure we try to place on our own shoulders, it’s not up to us to save the world…Jesus already did that.
He calls us to pierce through the darkness of this world with His light. To be light in the darkness.
Because in the end, light always overcomes darkness.
© Isabelle Wood 2024
Photo copyright Canva
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