This is an excerpt from the new book I am working to get published, titled Words to the Weary. It is a daily devotional book and this one I felt was appropriate for today.

Weary One,

Is the dark getting darker?  Is your world out of control?  That’s good news!  That means the light is getting brighter.  Did you know, Beloved, that the darkness serves the light?  It is not the other way around.  When the darkness comes it seems like everything is being swallowed up by it.  It seems as if nothing will ever work out because the blanket is so thick.  Ah, but things are never what they seem.  

At the cross, it seemed all was lost.  At the tomb, it seemed all was dead.  At the well, it seemed redemption was out of reach.  In the street, it seemed accusation had won.  At the table, it seemed betrayal was sure.  At the pool, it seemed healing was impossible.  On the shore, it seemed hunger would win.  In the tree, it seemed injustice was here to stay.  On the side of the road, it seemed blindness had shut out the light.  At the gate, it seemed lameness was preventing movement.  On the street, it seemed the disease would continue to ravage.  In the graveyard, it seemed the devils had won.  

But with me, Dear One, nothing is as it seems.  With me the resurrection comes.  The Living Water is served to the fornicator, grace is given to the adulterer.  The betrayer is forgiven, the complacent find their feet.  The hungry are fed and the blind see.  The lame walk and the lepers are made whole.  Even the demons release and remove themselves when I am near.  I use the darkness to display the light.

So what darkness in this world has you?  What is happening now that I cannot redeem?  I will tell you. Nothing.  There is nothing of which I am unaware.  There is nothing that is so dark my light will not dispel it.  Worry not.  I have all things in my hands.  You have no need to doubt that my use of the darkness will bring about redemption, healing, freedom, hope, and life.  It is who I am.  I cannot be anything less.  You are in good hands, Beloved.  I will use your darkness to draw others to my light.  Watch and see.   

Isaiah 60:1-3 

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.