Shadow of Darkness

In the history of the world, there have been seasons or eras of great darkness. One example in the last century was the Great Depression which was sandwiched between the two Great World Wars. These three events cast a dark shadow over the world for about thirty-one continual years. The world has been under a shadow of darkness since the fall of man in the book of Genesis.

Amid this darkness, there have been periods of relative peace and prosperity. Jesus spoke about this darkness and His light, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV).

The world has always had troubles—terrible troubles and tribulations. Today’s re-writers of history would like for us to believe that the United States and the broader Western Civilization are the only places where bad things have happened. Yes, we have had some dark moments, but they need to take a wider and deeper look in the history of the world.

The truth is easily discovered by casual historians show that all lands in this world have innocent blood soaked in its soil. WE LIVE IN A FALLEN AND EVIL WORLD. No land has ever been filled with sinless occupants and all have sinned. I acknowledge that some have been worse than others.

This whole ball of dirt we call earth is soaked in blood from conquest, enslavement, oppression, persecution, death of innocents, tyranny, injustice, deprivation, violence, poverty, etc. It would be impossible to find a place that has not suffered most of the forementioned list of atrocities. Jesus said, “The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10 NKJV). Historically, a lot of stealing, killing, and destroying has taken place since man was kicked out of God’s garden.

There are not many places on earth where you could find the aboriginal group or tribe still occupying their land. Even among certain ethnic groups, certain clans/tribes have conquered neighboring clan/tribes. Even businesses have had ruthless acts. The history of the world is one of control, greed, war, and conquest. We live in a fallen and evil world. Human beings are too greedy to live in peace for any length of time.

I am not condoning any of these evils or atrocities, just simply stating, it is the history of mankind and the world. I am not excusing these evils but explaining that they are the manifestations of a fallen world seeped in sin. In this world, we live in the shadow of darkness and death. Utopia in this world is a dream of fantasy and a proverbial carrot to the gullible.

Many of the “thinkers” in our age observe the problems in our world and seek a political, economic, and/or ideological solution. They only see the problems through the lens of man-made problems with only man-made solutions. The problems in the world have their genesis in the spiritual realm. They are spiritual problems masquerading as societal or political problems.

The problems are the result of mankind’s fallen nature unfettered by the corruption of their minds. Their souls are darkened and their minds futile because they do not consider the Sovereignty of God and they do not walk in Godly fear. They think they are smarter than Almighty God and have joined Team Satan unknowingly in many cases. With arrogance, they think they are the enlightened ones, yet they walk in darkness and throw gasoline on the fire rather than water.

Can you imagine how the world would be if seventy-five percent of the people world-wide (a super majority) truly lived by the simple commands of Jesus? “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and great commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV).

If people only loved God and loved their fellow man, the world would almost be heaven on earth, but the reality is quite different. You may think you live in a nice community, yet you make sure your doors are locked at night.

God sent His Son Jesus into the world, so the Kingdom of God would invade this cruel, dark world. Jesus is the light of the world. “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” (Matthew 4:16 NKJV). Following Jesus and walking in His ways is too simple for many people.

We currently live in a very dark time with forces of evil trying to undo all that is good and righteous. The only antidote I know is the light of Jesus. We must pray, live out the principals of God’s kingdom, disciple others in the way of Christ, shine the light of Truth, and keep walking forward in the spiritual might of the Lord. Simply put: While you walk in this dark world, be the light of Jesus.

Remember the words of Jesus quoted above, “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt