“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that it was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day’ and the darkness ‘night.’ Together these made up one day.” Genesis 1:1-5 (NLT)
During one of our vacations a few years back, Bobbie and I along with 15 other people, descended into a cave at Sweetwater, Tennessee to experience the Lost Sea. At one point in the tour, the Guide turned out the lights, demonstrating ultimate darkness. Although she had warned us before turning out the lights, I could not see my hand 1 inch before my eyes, literally. I admit that I was skeptical . . . until the lights went out.
Our guide explained that if we remained in this darkness continuously for two weeks, the results would be blindness. Within that time, our brains would shut the eyes down, having determined that sight was unnecessary. As we stood there silently in darkness, none of us had ever experienced, I thought about what it must have been like when “The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness,” before God said, “let there be light.”
“Hovering over its surface,” The Only Wise, Eternal Creator experienced the darkness, didn’t like it, did something about it. Consider for a moment: This is not only the story of physical creation. It is also the good news of “heaven’s morning light” breaking forth upon “those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:78-79). It is the guiding light that directs us “to the path of peace” (v. 79).
The formless mass is the human soul cloaked in darkness. The Spirit of God hovers over that darkened soul, ready at a moment’s notice to give it the light. When God spoke to the darkness, ‘Let there be light,’ his word reached down through time and ‘there was light’ born in a manger in Bethlehem. ‘And God saw that it was good,’ testifying ‘you are my beloved son, in whom I am well-pleased.’
Standing in that cave of physical darkness, I wondered if it might be similar to the “outer darkness” (Mt. 8:12) where anguish and utter despair exist? The anguish of such total darkness is beyond imagination. I could clearly understand how one who was banished to such a place would grind his teeth and weep in despair. I rejoice that I am standing in the light which will separate me from that darkness forever. I praise God for his grace, which hovers over me. It makes me want to shout, “Glory to God for the Light!”
Dear Father, thank you for separating the darkness from the light. Empower us to live in the separating light of your salvation. In the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN
Be courageous today in the light of Christ,