The Darkness

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Now The Day Is Over"1 (Lyrics)

It was only 4:45 a.m., but I was up and out in the backyard trimming back rampant wild roses. As I clipped away, I was glad to be able to make good use of the daylight hours, as I know that here in the north, the darkness will soon be upon us again, and this time of day will no longer be bright.

These thoughts brought to my mind these Scripture verses:

John 9:4-5 – As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (NIV)

Jesus' recognized the fact that His night was coming and that He must be diligent to be about His Father's business while He still had the time. He was very much aware of the world's darkness and its need for the light of His truth.

Likewise, Jesus says to us, "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14a NIV). And the apostle Paul states:

2 Corinthians 5:17-20a – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. (NIV)

As we listen to the daily news, I believe that there are very few of us who would not agree that we are living in an age when the darkness is coming fast upon us. It is an age that desperately needs the light of His truth. And we, His people, who are the light of the world and who have been commissioned with the task of reconciling men and women to Christ through the message of reconciliation, must, as the apostle Peter wrote, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15b NIV)

Today, I fought the battle of the encroaching wild growth in my yard, amidst the early morning light, while it still lasts, for soon it will be too late to do such work. The time will be over. My time on this earth will soon be over as well. The darkness of age begins to creep in more and more. Likewise, it is the same for each and every one of us, for we begin to die the moment that we begin to live. May we, therefore, remember that as long as it is day, we must do the work of Him Who called us to be the light of the world, Christ's ambassadors, for the night is coming, when no one can work.

Prayer: Father God, You have blessed and commissioned us with an awesome task, a task which we cannot accomplish on our own, but only through Your great and wondrous power within us. Fill us anew this day with the glory of Your Holy Spirit, that indeed, our light may shine brightly with the love of Christ, Who has the power to draw everyone unto Himself. In His name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Thanks, Lynne.


    Amen to your prayer.


    Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!


    Another good challenge Lynne. God bless.


    Thanks, Lynne, for a beautiful message beautifully written.
    Blessings.


    Great amplify Lynne and a wonderful prayer… to which I say wholeheartedly, amen.


    Yes, Lynne, many of us draw close to the time when we will no longer be able to serve our Lord as we would like to do. May the Lord enable our efforts while daylight remains. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.


    Thank you for showing us the darkness, but not without the power of the Light. Thank you also for reminding us that the children of the Light are ambassadors for Christ. This is all very powerful.


    Thank you for your devotional. Yesterday a Christian friend died and I was thinking those very thoughts – how time is running out for us all and there is still such a need for Christ’s light in the world.


    Hi Lynne,
    When truth is suppressed, light is diminished. Your insight is truly warranted in our age and our lands.
    God bless you.


    Dear Lynne,
    Thank you for a truly gospel message with lots of pertinent scripture.
    Keep writing even in the dark of December, for we have Jesus, the Light who never goes out.
    God bless you forever.


    Hi Lynn,
    My, you do get up early. Yes we are living in dark times indeed. I think about that so often, wars and rumours of wars, people killing and being killed. If only they would believe the words of the gospel.
    Blessings.


    Hi Lynne,
    As I have said before, “I knew this was your writing before I got past the first paragraph”. – challenging and thought provoking, as always.
    I am in total agreement with your statements and hope to be able to be much more active in whatever the Lord presents. It’s exciting to know He hasn’t put me on the shelf yet.
    Bless you and keep you writing.
    Thank you.


    Beautiful thoughtful analogy. Thank you Lynne.


    Well done Lynne! You made a strong biblical case encouraging us to work for the Lord while it is still day. Blessings.


    Dear Lynne,
    Thank you for this word today. I am in agreement with your thoughts that we must be about Christ’s work while it is yet day; this fact becomes clear when you realize there no retirement mandates in scripture. Jesus was continuing His Father’s business with love while on the cross when He said “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do” (NASB)


    I really enjoyed your devotional.
    I cannot wait for the day when I will graduate. No more pain, no more struggling. Isn’t God and His promises wonderful.

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