The astonishing value of darkness is that it adds a unique quality to life that can be found no other way.

What is Darkness?

Darkness has no substance, or force of its own, for darkness is simply the absence of light. That does not make darkness meaningless. Its amazing value comes from what it hides, contrasts and makes possible.

• Light reveals what darkness hides
• Without the contrast of shadow – or darkness, everything looks flat
• Darkness is a requirement that enables sleep.

The astonishing value of darkness is then functional, for it creates balance and is vital for contrast.

The Law

The law of Moses was good and right in itself – but it created an impossible situation. To fail keep just one of the commandments, meant total failure.  Why then, would God give His people such a burden?

God displayed His supreme standard of moral perfection through the detailed and intricate laws that governed every area of life. You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God is holy, Leviticus 19:2. The law revealed:

• God’s authority
• The extent of His holiness – every detail matters
• His uncompromising justice and hatred of sin

It showed the gulf between God’s holiness and human sinfulness, and man’s need for God’s grace. Man has no ability to save himself.

Higher Standard

God did not give the law in order to make it hard for man, but to provoke His people to live to a higher standard. A standard only reachable through faith in God and obedience to Him, despite all Satan’s efforts to destroy anything that is God’s own possession, 1 Peter 2:9.

It was the Law of God that set His people apart from all other cultures that worshipped pagan gods. His people were to serve the one true God and be a blessing and example to the nations.

Darkness exposes what is missing, for only by serving the one true God can man reach his true fulfilment.

Not Condemnation

God designed darkness to be a blessing for God knows all things, Isaiah 46:10, is present everywhere and has all power. His law revealed His:

• Love
• Mercy and
• Grace.

Man’s inability to fulfill a holy law foreshadowed the advent of the promised Messiah, Genesis 3:15.

The law foreshadowed the advent of the Son of God through the patterns of the:

• Sacrificial system
• Feasts
• Priesthood
• Tabernacle worship

God’s eternal plan was to write His law on the transformed hearts of His people.

The Light

Just as light revels what is hidden in the natural, it takes the light of the great I Am that I Am, Exodus 3:14, to reveal the truth.

Jesus said He is the Light of the world, John 8:12. He did not come into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him, John 3:17.

Only a sinless man could legally fulfil the demands of the law and bridge the uncrossable gap between God’s holiness and sinful man. Only the shed blood of the unique Son of God could cleanse mankind from sin, for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, Hebrews 9:22. The life of the flesh is in the blood, Leviticus 17:11, which is why sinful man must be born again of the Spirit, John 3:3.

Transformation

Man needs more than salvation through Calvary, he needs transformation that only comes through relationship. Many enter the wide gate of salvation, but only the few choose to walk through the narrow gate to a fuller life in God, Matthew 7:13.

Fewer still are prepared to unseat self from the throne of the heart and enter into the fulness of all that God has for them. They strive to attain to the measure of the stature that belongs to  the fulness of Christ, Ephesians 4:13.

These true followers of Christ know the intense glory of the presence of God in the Most Holy Place. They take their eyes off the darkness that permeates the world and seek only the Light of God.

Thirteen Pillars

There were three sets of pillars in the Tabernacle of Moses.

• Four pillars guarded the entrance into the Outer Court – salvation through Calvary
• Five  pillars – the number of grace – supported the Door, the entrance into the Holy Place – a deepening of God relationship
• Four more pillars supported the Veil – the entrance into the Most Holy Place – transformation through death to self.

That is thirteen pillars. In the New Testament there were 12 disciples plus Jesus – 13.

Biblical Number

Thirteen was a biblical number of great significance and a number of extreme light. It is about living with Christ as the absolute reference point in all things.

Thirteen is the number that Satan has deliberately counterfeited to be a number of satanic ritual and apostasy, claiming 13 in total deception and opposition to God. Yet, Satan’s days are numbered.

Purpose

Darkness has a particular purpose in God’s eternal plan both naturally and spiritually for light and darkness mark the passing of time, Genesis 1:4,5. It is necessary for growth, but it’s up to each one of us how much growth we permit. God uses time to transform those who have a heart for Him.

Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you, 1 Peter 4:12. Only through the darkness do we see the true revelation of how much we need to have NOW faith in God, Hebrews 11:1.

Deep Darkness

We all experience times of deep darkness. However, the deeper the darkness the brighter the light shines. Dark times are the opportunity to be an overcomer.

Under the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Jew and Gentile alike become the light of the world, Matthew 5:14-16. The ones who show others the way of eternal salvation that leads the saved ones to authentically worship their Creator. God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth, John 4:24.

Both spiritually and scientifically, darkness has no substance or force of its own – darkness is not the absence of God’s presence. When we walk through the flood and the fire He is with us, Isaiah 43:1,2.

The Unknown

Darkness represents the unknown, for only when the light shines can we see the reality of what is hidden. God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28.

Dark times call us to bring our life into full alignment with Him. They remind us who we really are. How much we need God, have faith in Him and trust in His unchangeable word. God calls His people out of darkness into His marvellous light, 1 Peter 2:9, through the New Covenant. 

There are treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, Isaiah 45:3. That is where God often reveals Himself to us. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells in Him, Daniel 2:22.

The Astonishing Value of Darkness

The astonishing value of darkness is that dark times draw us closer to our loving Heavenly Father. As we move into the end of days the darkness in the world can be overwhelming. Yet, for the true follower of Christ, the darker the world becomes the brighter the hope.

The time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled. The Bride of Christ will be swept away and the world will enter a period of great tribulation with the revealing of the Antichrist. A great multitude which no one could number from every nation and all tribes and peoples, Revelation 7:9, will die for their faith. Stand and lift up your head for your redemption is drawing near, Luke 21:28. The  darkness is temporary, but a shout of joy comes in the morning, Psalm 30:5.

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Dr. Wendy is a servant of the Lord who lives to share words of encouragement from the Word of God in these end of time days.

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