Barren Night
Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. Let clouds dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. That night—let thick darkness seize it! Let it not rejoice among the days of the year; let it not come into the number of the months. Behold, let that night be barren; let no joyful cry enter it.
Job 3:5-7
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Barren Night
Night is often a frightening time. The darkness overcomes all, sounds emanated from the shadows, implanting all manner of dread and fear into our imaginations. Night is also a time in which so often evils are perpetrated. Thieves thrive in darkness, killers prowl in the unlit recesses. Sin seeks the darkness to cover its shame. Job recognizes his position. He sees his plight and understands the darkness which has surrounded him is not from God, yet he is still in the midst of it. Has God abandoned him?
We find ourselves in a similar situation now. Maybe not to the extend of Job, but still surrounded by the darkness o this fallen world and our own sinful flesh. We see the breakdown of the family, divorce, adultery, promiscuity run unchecked. We see the disregard shown to God’s created order in confusion and lies about gender and marriage. We see the open mocking of God and His church in all sectors of society. And we can’t help but wonder, has God abandoned us? The answer for Job and for us is a resounding no, God has not abandoned us to the darkness. For God tells us in His Word He “is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” (1 John 1:5) And “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:4-5) So no matter how dark it is, one little pinpoint of God’s light, His truth, scatters the darkness. As we see, the darkness of the Golgotha is destroyed by the light of the empty tomb.
Blessèd are You, O Lord our God, king of the universe,
who led Your people Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Enlighten our darkness by the light of Your Christ;
may His Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path;
for You are merciful, and You love Your whole creation
and we, Your creatures, glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen. (LSB 245)
Job 3:5-7
+
Barren Night
Night is often a frightening time. The darkness overcomes all, sounds emanated from the shadows, implanting all manner of dread and fear into our imaginations. Night is also a time in which so often evils are perpetrated. Thieves thrive in darkness, killers prowl in the unlit recesses. Sin seeks the darkness to cover its shame. Job recognizes his position. He sees his plight and understands the darkness which has surrounded him is not from God, yet he is still in the midst of it. Has God abandoned him?
We find ourselves in a similar situation now. Maybe not to the extend of Job, but still surrounded by the darkness o this fallen world and our own sinful flesh. We see the breakdown of the family, divorce, adultery, promiscuity run unchecked. We see the disregard shown to God’s created order in confusion and lies about gender and marriage. We see the open mocking of God and His church in all sectors of society. And we can’t help but wonder, has God abandoned us? The answer for Job and for us is a resounding no, God has not abandoned us to the darkness. For God tells us in His Word He “is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” (1 John 1:5) And “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:4-5) So no matter how dark it is, one little pinpoint of God’s light, His truth, scatters the darkness. As we see, the darkness of the Golgotha is destroyed by the light of the empty tomb.
Blessèd are You, O Lord our God, king of the universe,
who led Your people Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Enlighten our darkness by the light of Your Christ;
may His Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path;
for You are merciful, and You love Your whole creation
and we, Your creatures, glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen. (LSB 245)
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