“Groping In Darkness”
October 3, 2012
This beautifully restored 1953 Chevy truck was parked out in front of my neighbor’s barn the other night. Remember when it was a common sight to see children (and sometimes adults) riding in the back of a pick up truck?
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“Groping In Darkness”
Last week we visited the Rufus Hoover place along Rt. 322 east of Ephrata. Ivan has an interesting assortment of antique type items for sale along with what most would consider junk (you get to do the sorting). Any of our readers who have ever seen “American Pickers”, a show about “Antique Archaeology” on the History Channel, would see it as the kind of place they’d select for one of their shows. We stopped for some 50 cent pumpkins we saw on a road sign but while we were there we also looked through some stuff.
I noticed Rufus and his wife with another couple looking down at something so I walked over to investigate. Rufus had the cover off an old hand dug, rock lined well and they were looking down into it. He told us, “It’s sixty feet deep.” I peered in and pointed the camera down to take the photo but surely had no desire to go down into the darkness (by plan or accidentally)! In fact I kept my feet back from the edge of the well as I held the camera out at an arm’s distance to take the shot. In reviewing the photo I was reminded of the verse, “But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness.”
That’s an outlook I hope to have in regard to spiritual things as well. It’s interesting that one of the many distorted pictures Satan presents as “having a good time” is going into a place of darkness such as a casino, bar, nightclub or places like it. What a deceitful lie many have come to believe! In reality an ancient word from Job is so pertinent, “They grope in darkness with no light.”
Christians are often portrayed as a disgruntled, judgmental type of people who really don’t know how to enjoy life. I contrast that portrayal with my observation and experience of being in a joy-filled church service, gathered around a big dining room table in a home fellowship meeting, or being with men on a campout (Stephen). I consider a happy marriage and the blessing of family and friends to be among the many joys of living in the light. I’ll take that over the dark and often dangerous places anytime!
The radiant light of God’s Holy Word exposes and dispels darkness. When God’s servants live as children of light, darkness is dissipated.
All of us, in one way or another, have some darkness around us. By God’s grace and through His might, as believers we want our light to shine brightly to expose and then dispel the darkness! We cannot dabble in darkness and still live in the light. God has not called us to blend in but rather we are to stand out as those whose lives are filled “with goodness, righteousness and truth”. When we try to blend in we are putting ourselves at danger since one force will eventually overtake the other.
The third daily text says we were once darkness but are now light in the Lord and thus we are to live as children of light. We must have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. At this time when crusaders of darkness are applauded and in some instances upheld as role models, let us hear the resounding call God has placed upon us to “live as children of light!”
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home
Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Jesus, You are the Light of the world. And because You reside in our hearts we are a reflection of Your holy light. The world we live in is dark and growing even darker as Satan’s sinister and deceitful schemes are being played out. Help us not to look the other way when darkness is spreading lest the darkness overshadow us in time. Instead would You empower us through the light of Your Holy Spirit to shine in a wicked and decadent society. We come against the darkness by speaking against wickedness in all forms. And, Lord, help us to be consistent not only in what we speak but the manner in which we live. May the fruit of light be evident in all we do. It is in Your name, Jesus, that we pray. Amen.
Today’s message title “Groping in darkness” comes from an interesting phrase found in a section of Job that deals with leaders. ”He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away. He deprives of intelligence the chiefs of the earth’s people and makes them wander in a pathless waste. They grope in darkness with no light, and He makes them stagger like a drunken man” (Job 12:23-25). That is certainly a portion worthy of further consideration.
Rufus demonstrated for me that the pump still works (notice the big hole for the 60′ well just beyond the pump).
Here’s an example of the kind of old stuff you see at Ivan’s place. Brooksyne wants me to make a display for her flower pots like this. We have the old sash so…
Monday we shared a selection of photos from a Russian church service we attended this last Lord’s Day. We were curious about the Scripture texts on the wall in the front. Yelena, who invited us to the service, explains:
The one on the left is Matthew 12:33 “for a tree is recognized by its fruit”
The one in the center is 2nd Chronicles 6:20 “That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night.”
The one on the right is Galatians 6:7 “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
We always have a verse in the center (year round) and change it every once in a while. The verses on the sides are usually ones that get added on holidays or special celebrations.
Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
“Carry Your Candle” Video Chris Rice
“Go Light Your World” Video Kathy Troccoli (same song as “Carry Your Candle” but another style)
American Pickers is a show about “Antique Archaeology”
A reader observing this photo from last week informed me that “the model A Ford one seater with the model T Ford back wheels is what depression era farmers called a “cut down” tractor meaning it was cut down from a car.”
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