Nyctophobia \u2014 fear of the dark \u2014 is consistently listed as one of mankind\u2019s greatest phobias. An almost-universal knowledge tells us dark places are unsafe. In a movie, when the hero or heroine enters a dark alley or room, we instinctively know something bad is about to happen. Darkness usually does not bring thoughts of warmth and happiness.<\/p>\n
In Isaiah, God\u2019s people were familiar with darkness. They had experienced tumultuous times of political and spiritual unrest. They would see the holy city of Jerusalem be destroyed. They would see their own friends and family members carried off into exile. They sat by as God\u2019s chosen people repeatedly turned away from His commands and worshiped false gods. I\u2019m sure they wondered many times if God had abandoned them altogether.<\/p>\n
As we\u2019re writing this book near the end of 2020, we\u2019ve experienced a year unlike anything in recent history. A worldwide pandemic has, at last count, led to over 200,000 deaths here in the United States alone. We\u2019ve seen cities burn as political and racial tensions hit a fever pitch. Perhaps as you\u2019ve witnessed the events of this year, you\u2019ve felt the weight of darkness. Perhaps, as you\u2019ve tried to navigate decisions during the Covid-19 crisis, you\u2019ve felt hopeless and helpless.<\/p>\n
Yes, the darkness the children of God experienced in the 8th century BC, and the darkness that we still experience, is real. But so is the hope God offers to the people walking in darkness. In fact, the light of the gospel really only makes sense to a people who understand the darkness of sin and death.<\/p>\n
In Ephesians 2, Paul begins by explaining darkness. \u201cAt that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world,\u201d (Eph. 2:12). Thankfully, he doesn\u2019t stop there. He goes on to describe the hope we now experience in Christ Jesus. \u201cBut now, in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ,\u201d (Eph. 2:13).<\/p>\n