Bible Reading: “The light shines in darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5 NLT)  

According to the Prophet Isaiah, the unexpected light that would suddenly appear in the land of darkness—“Galilee of the nations”—would also be inextinguishable (Isaiah 9:1-2). Contrary to popular opinion, darkness does not overcome light, but light overcomes darkness. All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the tiniest little light. No wonder the Apostle John portrayed Christ—the Light of the World—as not only piercing the darkness, but also as being impervious to it (John 1:5).

As the army of God, suited up in “the armor of light” (Romans 13:12), the church needs to charge into the darkness of this world. For too long now we’ve cowered in the corner of our sanctuaries and hid our light “under a bushel” for fear of being overcome by the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16). Yet, it is the light that overcomes the darkness, not the darkness that overcomes the light. The only way that darkness can win out is if the light deserts the field of battle. God forbid that we should be guilty of such cowardice, especially when we stop to consider what is a stake—the immortal souls of men. 

Are you spiritually AWOL? Have you deserted the army of God? If so, why not return to active duty today by reporting back to the front lines and once again faithfully fighting under the command of the “Captain of the host of the LORD” (Joshua 5:14)?

THE CONFLICT

The prince of darkness and legion

go forth in this world to win

the invaluable prize of the conflict

the immortal souls of men.

Heaven alines its forces.

The battle lines are drawn.

Eternities hang in the balance.

In fury the war rages on.

Humanities blind to the conflict,

though they the victor’s spoil;

insensitive to the battle,

due to lives of earthly toil.

Where are God’s gallant warriors,

who wax valiant in the fight,

who turn back the torrents of darkness

clad in the armor of light?

O Lord chasten your children,

in haste wield the rod,

force to their knees your people

that they may rise and take hold of God.

Then God’s mighty princes

who are destined to prevail

will scale the citadels of evil

and snatch men from the clutches of hell.