Sermon On Breaking Through The Darkness

Victor Hugo, an author and former member of the Senate of France once remarked: “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” Psalm 139:11-12 reminds us: “If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”

It has often been said that the invidious struggles of life are reminiscent of the fact that light will always follow dark. Physically, light and darkness do not necessarily "follow" each other in a sequential loop like seasons; rather, darkness is simply the absence of light. While the two appear to alternate due to planetary rotation or the toggling of switches, their relationship is governed by the presence or movement of photons.

However, in an anagogical sense, it is said that there is always light at the end of a tunnel. This phrase is a metaphor for hope and the resolution of difficult times, suggesting that all challenges are temporary. While often used to offset tedium or promise of a better future, whether this theory holds true depends on the particular situation in hand, as some challenges may not appear to have a clear or immediate resolution. In a spiritual context, the "tunnel" represents life's trials (grief, sin, or depression), and God is viewed as the "guiding light" that offers a path to resolution or eternal salvation.

Where there are no obvious resolutions to difficulties, the answer may often be found through God. From a theological and spiritual perspective, God is believed to be able to help in situations where there are no obvious human resolutions or when problems seem impossible. Faith traditions often emphasize that human limitations do not limit God, making "hopeless" situations the ideal setting for divine intervention or, at a minimum, divine comfort.

In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah falls into a deep depression after a major spiritual victory on Mount Carmel, threatened by Queen Jezebel and feeling isolated. Exhausted and fearful, he flees into the wilderness, sits under a tree, and prays for death. God responds by providing rest, food, and gentle encouragement rather than condemnation. The passage reminds us: There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.”

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.

And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Matthew 6:22-23 teaches that one's spiritual perspective and focus determine their inner state of light (goodness/generosity) or darkness (greed/stinginess). Describing the eye as the body's lamp, Jesus explains that a "good" (single-minded/generous) eye brings clarity and spiritual light, while a "bad" (selfish/materialistic) eye leads to deep inner darkness and spiritual ruin. It reminds us: “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!