DAILY READING
REFLECTION
In the Dark
by Jennifer Jerrome
In the beginning, we witness God asking Moses to "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt." And not just any old darkness, but – darkness that can be felt (v. 21).
Darkness itself is not a bad thing. We need darkness. It separates day from night and often brings out the true beauty of the sky, but this isn’t the kind of darkness we’re talking about. God wants the darkness to be felt.
Have you ever felt darkness? It’s heavy and suffocating. This kind of darkness leads to despair if you don’t have someone to guide you through it.
We all need someone to help us turn on the light and God wants to be that someone for us.
He wants to vanquish the darkness. Verse 23 tells us that God’s chosen people had light when no one else did. He did it for the Israelites and he’ll do it for us.
The darkness got the attention of Pharaoh and caused him to say Yes to Moses. Sometimes we need the darkness to catch our attention and push us to say Yes to God.
Now I’ve got to admit, I struggle with verse 27, But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go. Why would God do this? Why would he put another obstacle between his people and their freedom?
Maybe there was more to learn. God’s plan wasn’t complete. Waiting is often the hardest part, but God has shown that it’s in the waiting, in the darkness, that HE’S waiting for us. Waiting to say, “Here I am. I’ve been here all along.” That way, the next time we’re in darkness, we won’t have to see him to know he’s there. We can feel his presence and not just the weight of it all.
PRAYER
This may be hard to pray sometimes, but… Thank you Father for the darkness. Once we know what darkness truly is, it makes the light so much brighter. And though darkness will continue to come and go, thank you for being there to shine a light when we need it most. Amen
Thank you