His Light Blazes

That first Good Friday, darkness fell, suffocating in its dread, startling in its suddenness. Fear began to chase the disciples, and they huddled in homes. They returned to the one thing they knew to do - they joined together in prayer.

As day turns to dusk and dusk deepens to night, often our hearts dread the coming night. My children often wail when they realize it's night time, not ready to end the fun of their day. They begin bargaining for how they will go to sleep, which nightlight or lamp should remain on, doors open, or music playing. The ending of what I can see, the beginning of the unknown, the murkiness of the shadows that startle, cause me to shrink back or want to stay frozen in place.

Timothy has always been afraid of shadows. From a very early age, he would be sure the darkness was alive, something moving in his room. Not able to discern what they rightly are, his imagination created big, scary entities scrambling over a bedroom wall only to disappear. I know the fullness of what the shadow is - the car in the driveway, the tree branch dancing on moonlight, but my knowledge cannot always convince his little frightened mind.

I think the same is true for me often in the dark of night with God. The shadows flutter, and I believe menace and danger come alive here in the dark. This life can often feels threatening. I can see potential destruction all around me, like a phantom of death, illness, chaos, financial loss, or instability. And my stomach seizes, my heart pounds and the same panic Timothy feels mimics within me.

But God is faithful in the night. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 reminds, "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." His presence blazes brightly over the lives He has redeemed, declaring we are His. God displayed His presence to the newly freed Israelites in the desert, leading them as a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire for light at night. They could travel and move in both day and night. He never left the Israelites in the wilderness, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands. (Exodus 34:6-7) And then He displayed His presence again to the disciples huddled together for Pentecost after Christ had left, a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire resting on each one of them. The spiritual freedom Jesus offers to everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord is salvation. The Holy Spirit has come to walk daily with us in the day and at night.

When I fix my eyes on His declarations of faithfulness and not on the shadows, His word becomes a lamp for my next step. I understand His faithfulness greater in the dark of night than I sometimes do in the day.

He sources His light within me - lighting the darkness around. The ember of His Spirit planted in me burns, ignites, brightens even in the most hopeless moments. The undergirding of His presence in the shadowy night - we cling to You, our Light. For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. ~Psalm 18:28.

When everything is murky and dark with shadows of sickness and death flickering, the only One I cling to, the only Light I stand in is You, Jesus. The Lord is my light and salvation whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1 When I feel undone by so many tasks, so many new roles, You are the only Light to show me the next step to take. When I feel discouraged about my lack of grace, my lack of kindness, my utter lack towards my children, You are my Light breaking through the despair, reminding me of your love and grace for me. Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. ~Psalm 43:3 I have no other way to navigate the darkened world I find myself living in.

Christ brings me to His throne room, His presence - to be safe, worship, plead, to understand His love more fully - Shadows disappear and are no more in His presence. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. ~Psalm 97:11