Who's Afraid Of The Dark?

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: