From Light to Dark

“The light shines on in the dark, and the darkness has never mastered it.” ~ John 1:5

Do you often find yourself being confronted with the question, whether within your husband’s congregation of believers or not, why the Lord allows bad things to happen? Recently, a dear friend posed that question to me and shortly after, I found it coming up as topic of conversation with several of my girlfriends who are wholeheartedly seeking after Christ. So, I sought out for the confirmation myself, finding that I too needed to be reminded.

Obviously, it’s a very broad question that one can’t just answer in a sentence or two. And to be honest, I don’t know that I’ll ever fully understand some things either. But, just last week the Lord reminded me of John 1:5 and I am hopeful and confident in knowing that darkness will not overcome the light.

Yesterday in reflecting on the death and resurrection of Christ, I thought about when the chief priests, temple officers, and elders came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. They only succeeded because a sovereign God allowed them to succeed. It was apart of His plan for Glory. Jesus made a good point to them saying that while he was teaching in the temple every day they never laid a hand on him. Now, suddenly they were after him with swords. So why did God allow them the power to capture Him? Jesus asked that same question from the cross just as we ask it every day. God is omnipotent, in control, just, and is always working things into a pattern for good (Romans 8:28).

Sometimes difficulties around us, and even our own, seem to be random. Our situations and tragedies look wildly uncontrolled. They aren’t. They’re subject and limits have been set. God is quietly at work; having not forsaken or forgotten about us, giving us the grace to press through moment by moment. He is ceaselessly watching over His children.

So to the friend who doesn’t understand why her husband left, to the mother who is left alone to raise 3 children on her own, to the man who desires to be a source of strength for his family but finds himself battling illness, to the girl who desperately seeks to be loved, and to the godly young wife who just longs the Lord to make her a mom - He has not left you. Your darkness will not overcome the light, and while you wait know that He does not willingly bring affliction to the souls of men (Lam. 3:33). He is working things out for your good and HIS glory. Praise be to our glorious God who never leaves nor forsakes us!




ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Maegan Roper is a wife, first-time mommy, worship leader, & literary publicist. She lives in Daphne, AL with her husband Jeremy & 14 month old daughter, Emmalyn where they serve at Coastline Community Church. She is passionate about encouraging other women through biblical study & often discusses lots of faith-based topics at her blog, A Different Remedy (http://www.maeganroper.blogspot.com/).