“The Light shines in the darkess and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5 NIV)
I have been praying diligently over the midterm elections – fasting, praying, writing, and encouraging others to pray. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday I intentionally did not seek out any news coverage because I wanted to be at peace. Wednesday morning I read the election results and was stunned; with all the people crying out to the Lord on behalf of this state and nation, how could such evil have been elevated to high public office and enshrined in the state Constitution?
I realize your political voting may not line up with mine and I am not interested in promoting a particular political party (none are impressive to me). But when I see what is going on in the world and compare that with God’s Word – when I see what God wants for his people and compare that against the ungodly laws politicians vote in – I have to join the Psalmist in saying, “Rescue us from those who are deceitful and wicked.” (Psalm 43:1 NIV) Wednesday was a day of deep discouragement and despair – a friend called it a time of lament.
Yet somewhere in the middle of the day I heard in my spirit, “The darkness has NOT overcome the light.” It was as if God was reminding me that no matter how dark things looked, God’s Light cannot be overcome by the darkness. When the sun goes down for the day, there’s always the light of the moon. If we are in the few days of the month where there is no moon, the lights of the stars always shine. If there are clouds covering any of these, we can rest firmly on the faithfulness of God because the lights are behind the clouds. As the Psalmist said,
“Give thanks to the Creator who made the heavens with wisdom! Praise the one who created every heavenly light! He set the sun in the sky to rule over day! Praise him who set in place the moon and stars to rule over the night! His tender love endures forever!” (adapted from Psalm 136:5-9 TPT) The light in our heavenlies was put in place by our Creator, and it rules over the darkness. Clouds may inhibit it, but it is still there. The Light of Jesus Christ rules over us when we know him as Lord and Savior, and will not let the darkness overcome us.
No matter what darkness you may be facing – ill health, pain, relationship struggles, employment or financial woes, or the reality of how much evil and wickedness there is in the world, remember that darkness will never be able to fully overcome God’s Light.
God of Light,
Thank you that your Light cannot be overcome by the darkness in this world. Thank you that your faithfulness and tender love endure forever. We come today to intercede, again, for all those caught in darkness and to plead with you to pour out your Light. For those caught in ill health, poor relationships, economic struggles, or so many other problems, we pray that you would pour out on them the Light of your wisdom, healing, and provision. We pray for this state and other states and this nation who seem to have elected into office people who are not living and walking in relationship with the Light of Life, Jesus Christ. We pray for a radical transformation in their lives toward your goodness, grace, and mercy. But if they continue to resist the loving invitation you have for them, then pour out your justice on them. Remove them from places of power by your mighty hand and may we see them wither and fade like seasonal grass. Remind us that you do not let the righteous go hungry for justice and those who walk in integrity walk securely. May what the wicked crave be thwarted and what they dread overtake them. If there was any corruption in the voting or vote counting process, we pray this corruption would be brought fully to justice. Remind us that when we seek you, you can deliver us from our disappointment, discouragement, and fears. May our faces shine brightly with the Light and Hope of Jesus Christ in a dark and dying world. May we never, ever forget that the darkness will never overcome your Light. We ask these things in Jesus’s name, Amen.
“Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.” (Psalm 37:1-2 NIV)
“The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
“What the wicked dread will overtake them;
what the righteous desire will be granted.” (Proverbs 10:3, 9, 24)
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” (Psalm 34:4-5 NIV)