A World in Darkness
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.” (Psa. 107:8-14)
Writer’s Note: I wrote this article one year ago in November of 2017. At the time it seemed as if our world could not become much darker but unfortunately this has not been the case. This past year has been filled with unbelievable sorrow and truth has been lost to our people. I read this article again today and thought it spoke well for our situation today. I do believe many people are starting to feel uncomfortable with the way things are going today and probably hope that 2019 does not see a tiny spark turn into a flame in the hearts of many people in our Israel lands and the world?
Perhaps you agree that it is darkest before the dawn and that is exactly where we are today. There is a great darkness covering our Israel nations today, and it has completely engulfed our lands to the point we are floundering in a dark, dark void. We have lost our moral compass and just as in a rudderless boat, we are about to sink, and we are sinking fast. I recall a huge Celebration of Life ceremony for a well-respected police officer that had been shot and killed in a small community in British Columbia, by a man who had stolen a car and taken off. Although shootings have increased in the Lower Mainland, police shootings are very rare, although in our neighbour to the south, killing police officers has become commonplace. Like so many others, this Small-Town officer was an exceptional policeman. In this case, when the car was spotted and reported to police, he was the first officer to arrive on site and the criminal immediately brandished a rifle and shot him. The Police Chief said that at the time of this shooting a light had gone out and there was a deep darkness in the community. He then made this comment, “the firefighter who almost immediately arrived to administer emergency care said a small light [in the then wounded officer] started to flicker, then another came and then another and as more first responders came to help, more and more light came on”. The good had come to fight the bad. Unfortunately, the officer’s wounds were too severe and as the light went out, the young police officer passed to his glory.
I found myself reflecting on the Police Chief’s words in the following days and somehow, I could not help but think of our Israel nations and how we too are dying, as the great darkness is coming over all our lands. There are those who are doing their best to keep us alive and they bring flickers of light to our lands. The question is, “Are Israel lands going to die or are we going to be revived?”
Last Sunday afternoon at our Bible study we had been studying and talking about Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. We were talking about how all the nations would gather together against our Israel lands and we were especially talking about the threat from the north and how that would probably come down through Canada (the land of unwalled villages) and be devastating to our country. Would we then at that time repent and pray and seek God’s help, because we would certainly be helpless? I thought of this little flicker of light the Police Chief had mentioned. Could there be a flicker of light that will begin to grow and grow in our land(s) that would begin to bring us back to our Saviour and our God? What could start this light to grow brighter again? Could our churches finally start preaching more of the truth of God’s Word, could our eyes be opened to reveal who we are and the promises that God has made to us. In 2Chronicles 7:14 He has told us that if we will humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways that He will heal our lands and forgive our sins. He will be our Protector. The full brightness of His presence with us will remove all the darkness from our lands and revive us. He will be our God and we will be His people.
“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (Isa. 25:8-9)
Editor’s Note: As I read Ms. Mills’ very thoughtful article, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ words in John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”.
