WHO'S AFRAID OF THE DARK?
Introduction:
The natural tendency of human beings is to be afraid of the dark. Early humans were
afraid of the darkness because of an unexpected attack from animals or enemies in the
night. Researchers have concluded that fear of darkness is still due to the unexpected
and the unknown. The darkness hides us from the things we know and see in the light.
Children go through a phase of fear of the darkness. They look to comfort from their
parents, assuring them that everything is all right and that they need not be
afraid.However, researchers tell us that 11 percent of adults are still afraid of the dark.
An abnormal fear of the dark is called Nyctophobia. Our early ancestors used fire and
torches to provide light in the darkness. The evolution of light went through candles,
lamps, and lanterns. In the 1800's, gas lighting replaced candles and oil lamps. Later
gas lighting provided lights for streets and homes. I am old enough to remember the
gas lighting in our home..
However, spiritual darkness is a more common problem than fear of physical darkness.
Spiritual darkness is associated with loneliness. depression, sin, separation and a
multitude of other feelings.Even a nation can experience darkness through oppression,
desolation, occupation, captivity, and depression. Such was the case with the Israelites
in Isaiah 9:1 to 4. Scholars disagree over the cause of their situation. Nevertheless, God
told them through the prophet that they would see a great light to dispel their
darkness.The birth of a child would ultimately be the cause of that great light,shattering
their darkness. The Psalmist in Psalm 27 rejoices over the fact that the Lord is his light
and salvation. We apply that to Jesus Christ and proclaim that he is the light that
dispels all of our darkness and chases any fear that would frighten us.
WHO'S AFRAID OF THE DARKNESS OF THE UNKNOWN?
I JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIGHT THAT DISPELS THE DARKNESS OF THE UNKNOWN:
Experts say that fear of the darkness comes from fear of the unknown. Darkness hides
the things we are familiar with, leaving us in a strange and unknown environment. We
need not fear the unknown of the future because Jesus is in charge of the future and
the past. (Hebrews 13:8) I like the verse in Ecclessiates 8:7 which says, "if no one
knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?" One popular saying
assures us not to worry about the future because God holds the future.The God who is
with us today will be the same God who will be with us tomorrow. The future is
unknown to us, but not to God. God knows our future and has already made provisions
for it. Why be afraid of an unknown future? God already has a plan for our future. If God
already has a plan for our future, why should we be afraid of it?
Other verses on the unknown:
a.God has a plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11
b.God is with us wherever we go. Joshua 1:9
c.Do not worry about tomorrow. Matthew 6:34
d.In God I trust. I am not afraid. Psalm 56:3
WHO'S AFRAID OF THE DARKNESS OF THE UNSEEN?
II JESUS IS THE LIGHT THAT DISPELS THE DARKNESS OF THE UNSEEN:
We are afraid of the unseen because we cannot see where we are going. We are afraid
of bumping into something which might injure us. A lady named Eustacion Marshall
tells of a time when she was visiting a friend's home. While intending to resume their
time of fellowship in another room, she accidentally turned off the light, so she could
not see her way into the entrance of the other room. However, she noticed that her
friend had no trouble walking in the darkness into the other room.Of course, this was
her house, and she had no trouble walking in the darkness into the other room. Noticing
her difficulty, her friend said, "let me turn on the light so you can see." When we don't
know where we are going in the dark, we ask God to turn on the light so we can see
where we are going. He knows how to get us from where we are to where we want to
go. He is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.(Psalm 119:105) Abraham left
his home not knowing where he was going. He could not see where he was going, but
God led him all the way. Many times we must walk by faith, not knowing where we are
going, but God orders our steps and leads us all the way by the light of his love. God is a
light along our path. Other verses on the unseen:
a. Faith is the assurance of the unseen. Hebrews 11:1
b. Walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
c.Look on the unseen which is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
WHO'S AFRAID OF THE DARKNESS OF THE UNCERTAIN?
III JESUS IS THE LIGHT THAT DISPELS THE DARKNESS OF OUR UNCERTAINTIES:
Many times we are uncertain about which path to take. We are uncertain about what to
do in a certain situation. Should I take this job or another? Should I marry now or later?
Or not at all? What are the risks if I do this or that? These decisions can sometimes
cause apprehension or fear. I can imagine that the disciples in Matthew 4:18 -22 might
have been apprehensive or fearful of leaving their fishing boats to go fishing for men
with Jesus. On the other hand, the Bible says they immediately left their boats and nets
to follow Jesus. Perhaps Jesus dispelled their fear by quoting Isaiah 41:10 which
says,"Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen
you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Ask God to shine his
light on the darkness of your uncertainties and aid you in making the right decisions.
Other verses on uncertainty:
a. Do not be afraid: I am your God. Isaiah 41:10
b. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2
c. Look forward to what is ahead. Philippians 3:13,14
CONCLUSION:
There is little need for us to be afraid of physical darkness.We can always turn on the
light, even in the darkest of the night. Likewise, there is no need to fear our spiritual
darkness. The Lord is our light! Of whom shall we be afraid?
When I was in a public speaking class in college, I I gave a talk concerning the careful
and extensive training of seeing eye dogs. The title of the article I used for the talk was,
"My Eyes Have A Cold Nose." Indeed, the only way many blind people can see in the
darkness of their blindness is through the eyes of their seeing eye dogs. In the same
way, God will guide us through the dark places of our lives with his eyes. (Psalm 32:8)
That is why one of my favorite hymns is "Precious Promises." One verse says:
I WILL GUIDE THEE. I WILL GUIDE THEE
I WILL GUIDE THEE WITH MY EYE
ALL THE WAY FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN,
I WILL GUIDE THEE WITH MY EYE.
WHO'S AFRAID OF THE DARK?
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT. OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID!
