Day 4

Choosing Darkness Over Light



Isaiah 5:20, Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 3:1-15, Psalm 139:11-12, Proverbs 4:19, 1 Timothy 1:15-17

BY Scarlet Hiltibidal

Section 1: The Light of the World 


This will be the first Christmas we celebrate without Uncle Jimmy. On a horrible Saturday this past summer, I got a phone call with the crushing news that my uncle, my only local relative and childhood father figure, died by suicide. 

My sister and I cried on FaceTime for hours, and once I finally fell asleep, I tossed and turned all night, dreaming about where it happened, thinking about our last conversation, remembering what his voice sounded like. I prayed for light to fill the dark spaces of my mind. I prayed for the goodness of God to work in spite of the evil that led to Uncle Jimmy’s death. 

In today’s reading, we reflect on good and evil, light and darkness. We start at the beginning—the creation of mankind. Right there in Genesis 1, fresh off of His miraculous “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), when He made everything we know, God made people and He made them good. Humans lived in the light of God’s love and they had nothing to fear. But, by the time we get to Genesis 3, we see darkness enter the perfect garden. We witness the first humans believing the first lies and choosing darkness instead of light.

We read of the pain and heartbreak that never really left. We reflect on the birth of death and the curse of human hopelessness. The brokenness that began that horrible day in the garden still echoes here as it steals life and tries to exterminate our joy. The evil one still lures people into the dark, makes them think they are alone, and makes them believe they are lost and can’t be found.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness.
—Isaiah 5:20

Do you know who started the pursuit of darkness instead of light, the trading of good for evil? It was the serpent. It was our enemy. He modeled it first. And woe to the evil one who lies and steals and kills and destroys (John 10:10).

We’re all affected by darkness here in this broken world. We feel it acutely in the tragedies we face, and we even recognize it in our own flesh. Sometimes even rescued ones pursue darkness and hide from the light.

But those of us who are in Christ are not doomed to wander in darkness. We are the recipients of mercy and the heirs to the kingdom where no darkness can exist. Remember, it’s the first day of December. It’s the month we pay special attention to the reality that the Light of the World, Jesus Christ Himself, came to kill the dark to resurrect hope. The Light came and brought life.

Step into the light of 1 Timothy 1:15–17 with me, friends. It’s Christmas time. Darkness may have stolen from us and maybe it still hurts as we’re surrounded by our traditions and reminded of what and whom we’ve lost. But we aren’t hopeless ones who can’t see where we’re going. We’re sons and daughters of God, illuminated by His love. We’ve been forgiven. We’ve been led into the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). May our days be merry and bright…

Post Comments (171)

171 thoughts on "Choosing Darkness Over Light"

  1. Betsy Rowe says:

    Megan I just prayed for you. Please continue to declare God’s promises over your life and seek the light. Also don’t be afraid to ask for help from a professional. Remember that just like your beautiful daughter that God blessed you with you also were created as a blessing and a divine purpose. Never stop seeking God’s direction for you. Look up Isaiah 30:21. This verse always comforts me.

  2. Laura Spurlin says:

    I’ve been there too, friend. But those lies that your family would be better off, they are not from God. The thoughts feel so loud and so consuming that you believe it to be true — but it’s not. I am praying for you, Megan, that you see your worth in the eyes of our Lord, in the eyes of your husband, in the eyes of your daughter. Silence the lies and focus on the truth. You are a child of God. A daughter of the King! This grip Satan has on you is firm, but it will not prosper. This verse gave me so much comfort — “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Isaiah‬ ‭54:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬. Satan can take hold, but he will never win against the power of our God. Replace each thought with His truth. Seek help. We were never meant to suffer alone. ❤️

  3. Victoria V says:

    Praying for you Megan. Please talk with trusted people about this and bring your pain to light. I can relate to what you are going through and I know that bringing this out does help. May the Lord turn His face to you and bring you peace. You are loved and seen!

  4. Alison Reeve says:

    ♥️

  5. Megan Taylor says:

    I’ve been struggling with anxiety and depression since my daughters birth 2 years ago. Lately, it’s been getting darker and darker in my mind as I think about how my family would be better without me. I’ve been here before. In my younger days, when I didn’t follow Jesus and it’s scary. It’s very dark in the corners of my mind and evil creeps in telling me lies. But it’s amazing to me when every Bible study I read speaks so loudly to me. I am so appreciative to God for speaking to me the way He does. It keeps me going.

    1. Sarah Ericson says:

      Megan, I’m reading this today and praying for you. I am praying that you have found some help/management for your anxiety and depression and that God’s light fills & surrounds you ❤️

  6. Brandy Deruso says:

    Healing is your portion god got you and your family we speak blessings over you and your family and the greatness of god over you to cover you and your child lord we plead your blood over we ask for wisdom for the Dr. And caregivers lord and heal lord so they enjoy their beautiful blessing! It is so it is true!

  7. Brandy Deruso says:

    Lord you are great and worthy to be praised!

  8. Angela Thrasher says:

    Hold on mama! It does get better. My baby, now 24 married with his own little one, was a preemie too. The days of NICU were looooong and difficult “but God” got us through all the twist and turn. The long hard nights of leaving him to come home, sitting and watching the other babies who were worse than him was terrifying. It was through those times I leaned more on Him than ever before and boy did He show out. It that moment it seemed to never end and now it seems so long ago. Praying that you heal quickly and that your precious baby will only be there for a short time.

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