When you go out shopping or to the coffee shop, what do you notice? Sitting down with your spouse watching the news, what jumps out at you? If you’re like most people, it’s darkness.
Darkness is all around us. It seems like it’s suddenly crept in, and gone are the easy, carefree days of yesterday. Now terrorism, suicide bombers, death and destruction rock our world as everything we know literally falls apart. Darkness is assaulting us at every turn. Do we have any hope for a better tomorrow, or are we just waiting for the end of the world?
Let’s examine the facts. All throughout history, darkness has tried to stop the kingdom of God.
- Haman tried to exterminate the Jews.
- Antiochus tried to forbid the Jewish religion.
- Herod tried to kill baby Jesus.
- The Pharisees killed Jesus.
- Hitler tried to exterminate the Jews.
Each time darkness rose up, it was trying to stop the promises of God … and each time, God stepped in with salvation and turned the situation around. Romans 8:28 sums it up well when Paul says “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
- Esther was placed into the kings court to bring salvation to Israel.
- The Maccabees rose up and reinstated Judaism throughout Israel.
- God warned Joseph to flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath.
- Jesus’ death on the cross brought salvation to the world.
- Out of sympathy after the Holocaust, the nation of Israel was born.
As Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun. We are facing the same evil in our day that God’s people faced in the Bible. Darkness is on the move again, because it’s trying to stop God’s promises. So where does that leave us?
First, we need to start by looking to God for our salvation; guarding our hearts from the constant darkness that permeates our world. Place your eyes on Jesus, for our God is stronger!
But what of the promises still waiting to be fulfilled?
In Romans 11:11, Paul talks about the remnant of Israel. “Did [Israel] stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious” (NIV).
I believe that we are on the cusp of something great … something so amazing that it’s going to turn our world upside down … a worldwide revival that will so transform us with the presence of God that the Jews will become envious and seek salvation. The darkness knows this, and is trying to stop it prematurely. Will evil succeed? Certainly not! God is stronger and able to deliver us. Turn your head and heart towards God. Seek Him with all you have, and remember He is faithful in all of His promises.
“For if [Israel’s] rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Rom 11:12).
Let it be Lord, let it be!
David Belich is a guest blogger for Highways Ministries.
