FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

“To open their eyes, in order to turn them FROM DARKNESS to LIGHT, and from the power of Satan to God”– Acts 26:18a

Paul the apostle was not only liberated and transformed; he was called to liberate others FROM DARKNESS to LIGHT: “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18a). Isaiah had prophesied: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined” (Isa.9:2). Though we may pass through deep darkness of depression, dejection, deprivation or the dread of death, we’re not beyond hope. God’s Light always penetrates darkness. Darkness, no matter how deep, doesn’t stand a chance against God’s ray of light!

The good news is that a Child was born, and a Son given, called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isa.9:6). God stands ready to be all this to us today, flooding our lives with His Strength, whatever the deep darkness we may be wading through. Christ’s work of redemption didn’t just impact all our tomorrows in eternity. His peace is for us today; His joy for us right now, no matter what burden we may carry. He is our Prince of Peace and the Light of the World. Our hope is in His Light. We can trust Him with our lives and cast our burdens on Him. Micah said: “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy, when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a Light unto me” (Mic.7:8).

Before Christ came, humanity was doomed to darkness. But now we live in the Light of Liberty through His Mercy. The dark gloom of doom is past. The bright light of salvation has dawned: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a GREAT LIGHT, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death LIGHT HAS DAWNED” (Mt.4:16). Jesus came: “To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk.1:77-79). Again, “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron…He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.” (Psa.107:10,14).

In Christ, the darkness of deception and ignorance is dispelled from our hearts: “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). The face of Christ is the Mirror of Scriptures through which we are transformed “from glory to glory” (2Cor.3:18). Light comes to reign in a darkened heart. We are delivered from all that darkness represents – sin, evil, disease, depression, poverty, frustrations, and all the negativities associated with Satan, into the gracious and glorious life in Christ; the liberty of the sons of God! “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord…” (Eph.5:8a). We’re the children of Light, dwelling in the Light, in the Kingdom of the Father of lights (Jh.8:12; Jam.1;17).

God has a purpose for all He does. He didn’t just bring us out of darkness which alone would have been wonderful, but catapulted us into His marvellous light. Always, He brings us out, to bring us in: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col.1:13). Our present location is in His marvellous Light: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people; that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His Marvellous Light” (1Pet.2:9). Now, we testify of total transformation from DARKNESS to LIGHT, being domiciled where darkness can no longer reign!