Light in the Deepest Darkness

The darkest place I’ve ever experienced is inside a cave where the guide turns out the lights. It is total darkness that feels as if it is pressing in around you. It reminded me of the darkness God sent on Egypt in Exodus 10:21: “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt.’”

How unsettling it would’ve been to have this deep darkness cover the entire land. For three days the Egyptians could not see each other, nor did they go out. Yet in the midst of this total darkness, “all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings (10:22).” What a powerful contrast between God’s light and the darkness that enveloped Egypt.

We live in a world covered in darkness where people ignore God and don’t see each other as created in God’s image. This darkness can be so pressing that it causes people not to go out. In some places the darkness is so deep that it can be felt. Yet in those places the light of God can shine the brightest.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16, NASB