I used to hear people talk about ‘the darkest hour’, and for a long time I thought it implied a specific – very literal – hour where things would go very South to a point of no return. It would cripple me with fear to think that every person has such an hour that would happen to them – sometimes multiple times in life. But if the pandemic has taught me something, it’s that nothing is ever what it seems.

The last few years have been quite dark – I even decided to stop watching the news because it got so infuriating to witness what was happening all around. By 2019, no one would have thought that something could happen – big enough – to turn the entire world upside down. By 2020, no one would have imagined that the pandemic would go on beyond one year – and now here we are in 2022 and everything feels like a long dream that just won’t end.

But what if it doesn’t end? While we, the Christians, should be the optimists, get lost with me for a moment – what if there is no end to this because we are approaching the end? Surely there can’t be two ends! It means that things are not about to get better. It means that we can only hope for the best and prepare for the worst. If that be the case, wouldn’t this be the darkest hour? An hour so long that it takes years to get over? Perhaps this is exactly what God meant when He said that there would be darkness, and thick darkness, over the people, right?

“For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you” (Isaiah 60:2).

But the precious God was good enough to include the other side of the story – that in the darkest hour, there would be a glory seen.

If you know anything about God’s glory, then you know that it brings about unmatched light. It is why when Moses had spent 40 days and nights with God in the mountain, he came down and had to put on a veil because there was so much brilliance on his face for people to look directly in his eyes. Think about that for a moment – there is such glory that does not recognize darkness. In fact, the Bible even talks of darkness being as light to Him.

“Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you” (Psalm 139:12).

That should be enough hope to cling on for us Christians. Indeed the times are dark – and if we are honest, it will only get worse. We have entered an era where there is no going back to how things used to be. If this is not yet the darkest point of the night, I’m pretty sure we are closing in on it – and very fast.

But the good news is that we have a Light that is not natural or artificial. The Light we have cannot be dimmed or brightened by anyone or anything. It’s brilliance is so much so, that darkness is equal to light. It means there are no dark corners or hidden places – everything is clear to Him. And He is in us!

So, my darlings, let it be dark. Let the darkest hour approach. It is only in darkness that we will truly know what it means to behold the Light. But as it gets dark, don’t let the darkness enter your heart and mind. The enemy lurks at the door, and if you dare not rebuke him, it will only be a matter of time before he finds way into your heart. Don’t let him plant thoughts of fear, frustration or discouragement. Don’t let your heart get sick, even though your hope has been deferred way too many times.

If you can’t hold on for yourself, do it for others. The darkness is not only around us, but it is over the people. God is counting on you to shine your light. God is counting on you to show up and bring hope. You cannot let your cup run out, for from it, many are looking to drink. Arise and shine darling – let’s show them where the Light is!