April 14, 2024
“Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.” Psalm 43:3
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:8-9
My daughter Portia called me on her way to Ohio to meet some friends and be a part of experiencing the awe-inspiring breathtaking view of the total solar eclipse that occurred on April 8, 2024. What a sight to see when the Moon moved directly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the sun’s light and causing a total solar eclipse. Millions across the entire North American continent along with parts of Central America and Europe experienced the eclipse.
Interestingly, I found that eclipses are actually quite common. There is a total solar eclipse occurring somewhere on Earth approximately once every 18 months. Partial
solar eclipses happen several times per year. Total lunar eclipses occur virtually every year in most parts of the world. This lead me to reflect on ‘the creation’ when God spoke the world into existence causing us to marvel at the wonders of God’s creation and God’s creative wisdom in designing the vast universe.
Scripture does mention a few references to celestial events like eclipses. One notable example is found in the Gospel of Matthew 27:45. “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.” This passage refers to the darkness that fell over the land during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ an example of how celestial events are sometimes associated with significant events in biblical narratives. Another reference that might be relevant is found in Joel 2:31, “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” This verse is often interpreted as prophesying cosmic signs that will precede the ‘day of the Lord,’ a time of judgment and redemption in biblical eschatology. These lunar eclipses, which can sometimes appear red in color due to the Earth’s atmosphere, as fulfilling this prophecy. Actually, there is no way to know if a particular eclipse in the future will have a connection to the end times.
Reflecting on the recent solar eclipse, led me to focus and share with this devotional in a deeper context with some applicational meaning that can be gleaned from observing celestial events like eclipses that can be viewed through the lens of faith. So, what can we draw spiritually from God’s power and sovereignty from His design of and over creation? What immediately came to mind was the symbolic correlation of light and darkness, and what spiritual truths we can lift up that would be applicable to our lives and would allow us to open our hearts with a desire to be transformed by the power of God’s word.
Thinking of what happens during eclipses and how it can be referenced as a symbolic interplay and interchange of light and darkness. This further prompted me to contrast the effect of light and darkness in our own lives and the role of spiritual illumination of light in dispelling darkness. Spiritually light is often associated with truth, goodness, and God’s presence, while spiritual darkness can symbolize ignorance, evil, or spiritual blindness.
So, what is Spiritual Darkness? It is the state of a person who is living apart from God and not having fellowship with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ! Living in spiritual darkness is to be spiritually blind is not to see Christ, and not to see Christ is not to see God! Spiritual blindness is a critical and grave condition, and it is experienced by those who do not believe in God, Jesus Christ, and His Word. The spiritually blind are simply unable to understand God’s Word. In their case, “The god of this world (Satan) has blinded their minds keeping them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” 2 Corinthians 4:4.
How can Spiritual Darkness/Blindness be Conquered?
The Word of God is our instruction manual and there are several passages of Scripture where the imagery of light and darkness is used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. While there isn’t a specific reference to eclipses in the Bible, we can draw parallels between the natural phenomenon of an eclipse and the biblical themes of light and darkness. This analogy is noted in several passages
John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John speaks to the eternal nature of God’s light, which pierces through the darkness of sin and evil. Just as the light of the sun persists even during an eclipse, so too does the light of God’s truth and love remain constant, shining brightly in the midst of spiritual darkness. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” (NIV) The Apostle Paul uses the imagery of God’s creation of light to describe the spiritual transformation that occurs when we encounter Christ. Just as the sun’s light dispels darkness, so too does the light of Christ illuminate our hearts and minds, revealing the glory of God and His redemptive purposes.
Ephesians 5:8: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (NIV) Again the Apostle Paul contrasts the state of being in darkness with being in the light of the Lord. Through faith in Christ, believers are no longer characterized by spiritual darkness but are now children of light, called to live lives that reflect the truth, righteousness, and love of God.
Praise God for providing us with the light of His Word so we can become beacons of the spiritual light of Christ: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light”, Ephesians 5:8. Those who are in Jesus Christ have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” Colossians 1:13, ESV. Those who reject Jesus Christ face eternal separation from God in “blackest darkness” Jude 1:4–13.
Without God and left to ourselves, we will easily surrender to Satan’s schemes. We can become so mired in the affairs of this world and its moral darkness that, in the end, God turns us over to spiritual blindness and eternal condemnation as noted in John 12:40; and Romans 1:24-32. 1 John 4:13 tells us, as Believers in Christ, we have the Spirit of God reigning in our lives to ward off the debilitating effects of Satan’s power and the world’s influence. 1 John 4:15 says “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him, and he in God.” We as Believers in Christ are in a battle Satan wars within and without us. His weapons are deceitful and crafty schemes to make us doubt and stumble 2 Corinthians 2:11; and Ephesians 4:14.
Let’s Get Dressed For Battle!
God has provided us with powerful weapons to ward off his flaming arrows! Ephesians 6:10-18. “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (NLT)
As Believers in Christ, we can overcome the evil one, remain in the Light, and never become spiritually blind. For, in truth, Jesus has given us His wonderful promise: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12.
Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” Mark 4:21-25 (NLT)
Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Its light at night can be seen for miles. If we live for Christ, you will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide our light by:
- being quiet when we should speak,
- going along with the crowd,
- denying the light,
- letting sin dim our light,
- not explaining our light to others, or
- ignoring the needs of others. Be a beacon of truth-don’t shut your light off from the rest of the world.
Our Light is The Only Reflection of The Presence of Christ In Our Lives.
Christ is our only source of light; we merely reflect that light. Jesus Christ is the true light; He helps us see our way to God and shows us how to walk along that way. But Christ has chosen to reflect His light through us as followers of Him to an unbelieving world. Our role is to bear witness to the Light as reflectors of Christ’s light. We are never to present ourselves as the light to others but are always to point them to Christ, the light.
HEART 
CHALLENGE: If you are not a Believer in Christ, you are living in spiritual darkness. Satan is the god of this world, and he has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the glorious light of the gospel! 2 Corinthians 4:4 reminds us that “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (NLT)
AN ILLUMINATED 
HEART: The Word of God reminds us that our eyes are windows into our bodies. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. In Judaism, a person’s inner character and moral quality are understood to be reflected through the eyes. Matthew reminds us in Matthew 6:22–23, how Jesus compares the moral condition of an unregenerate soul to darkness: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Jesus wanted them to understand that a healthy eye is one that lets in light just as a healthy regenerated heart lets in spiritual light. But a sick or sinful eye (or heart) shuts out light, leaving the soul in spiritual darkness.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your Word that provides us with clear instructions on how dangerous it is to live in darkness. Thank You Father for the light of Your Word so we won’t trip over the potholes of life. Illuminate Your Word to us so we will be able to see our way clear enough to stay on the right path, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.