The Word that Dispels Our Darkness:Psalm 119:129-136

The Word that Dispels Our Darkness

Psalm 119:129-136

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭

In the beginning when God created the world, it was formless and void, and darkness covered the face of the deep. But into that darkness God spoke, and there was light. Since that time, darkness and light have been powerful images. After the fall, we see darkness represent all that has gone amiss because of the curse. There is now a kingdom of darkness, and all that is sad, broken, and opposes God is from that kingdom. But under God’s rule, darkness does not get the last word.

For centuries God had promised a Child would be born, a Son given, who would deal decisively with the curse of sin and darkness. And because of the tender mercy of God, He sent Jesus, His sunrise from on high, “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭79‬). The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. In the Word, our Savior Jesus Christ, was life and that life was the light of men. He shone into the darkness of this world as the Light of the world. By His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave, Christ claimed the victory over sin and death. He provided the way for His children to be rescued from the domain of darkness.

At salvation, God “delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬). The god of this world had blinded our minds and had kept us from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. But God, who at creation had said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has now shone into our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). The entrance of His Word not only gives light, but gives life.

And although we have been brought into His kingdom, while we remain in this world, there are still remnants of our sin nature that we must deal with. We have been called to put off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). Continually through the intake of His wisdom and Word, we become further partakers of His light through the enlightening of our understanding. He opens our minds and hearts to understand ourselves, His Word, and Himself. The entrance of His Word revives the soul, makes the simple wise, rejoices the heart, and enlightens the eyes (Psalm 19:7-8). This is the ongoing work that His Word does in the children of light.

Not only the sin within, but the adversity we face reminds us that we remain in a world marred by the darkness. Our trials and suffering, the dark night of our soul, the valley of the shadow of death are all evidences that the darkness has not been completely overcome yet. But for those in Christ, we do not need to fear, because “When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me…He will bring me out to the light” (Micah 7:8,9). He is with us in our darkest days. And even if we feel that the darkness is overwhelming, we can rest in Him knowing that to Him the darkness is not dark (Psalm 139:11-12). He will provide the light for our path.

Finally at consummation, all darkness will be dispelled forever. Our King will return, and He will put an end to the dominion of darkness. And in that heavenly city, there is no need for the sun or moon to shine upon it. There is no need for any illumination. Our God Himself shall be the light, His glory filling that place. In that place it will always be day and never night. Our hearts are longing for that place where we will forever be with our King and see Him face to face (Revelation 22:4-5).

The darkness cannot overcome this Light. Not the darkness that still resides within us, not the darkness that remains in this world, and certainly not the darkness of our distress. The psalmist knew this. He knew the light that came through the imparting of God’s Word would give him understanding (119:130), would keep his steps steady when facing distress (119:131), and would guard him from the dominion of sin (119:131). So he cried out, “Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes” (119:135). Let’s pray as well that God’s face would shine upon us and our loved ones, and His Word would impart light in the darkness.

119:129-130 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Father, we pray:

▫️Give me and my loved ones the eyes to see how wonderful Your testimonies are, so that we will love to keep them.

▫️The entrance of Your Word gives light. Your Word overcomes the deadness of unbelief, the blindness of our hearts, the power of sin, and our sorrowful situations. Bring Your light into the darkness that we are facing. Is there an unsaved family member, a struggle with sin, or a distressing situation in your life? Pray for the Word of God to bring light to the darkness.

▫️We face circumstances where we need Your wisdom and understanding. Impart the wisdom and understanding we need for __________.

119:131-132 I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.

Father, we pray:

▫️We are panting and longing for Your work in our lives. We know You and Your Word are sufficient for every evidence in our lives that we live in a world affected by sin. Give us the longing to come to You to meet every need, dispel the darkness, and help us walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8).

▫️You are such a merciful and gracious God to those who love Your name. Turn to us and be gracious to us. For myself and my loved ones who are sitting in darkness, be our Light, our hope, our comfort. Bring us out of these hard places back into the light. Help us to glorify You when things are difficult and when things are easier.

119:133-134 Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts.

Father, we pray:

▫️Keep our steps steady. Help us to remain steadfast, trusting in You. Keep us, and keep our feet from slipping. Help us not to slip into unbelief, disobedience, or indifference to You and Your Word.

▫️We ask that You guard us so that no iniquity would have dominion over us. We know we are prone to wander from You and Your ways. Help us to remain vigilant against the sin that still resides within us.

▫️Redeem us from the oppression that we face. We cannot control others or our circumstances, but we can control ourselves and live for You in the midst of oppression.

119:135-136 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

Father, we pray:

▫️Make Your face shine upon us. Look on us with favor. Incline our hearts to fear Your name. Be our teacher. You alone can change us in the ways necessary. Do Your work in us.

▫️Our hearts break over our loved ones who remain in darkness and have not been brought into the kingdom of Your Beloved Son. Shine into their hearts today to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, so that they will turn from their sin and embrace Christ.

▫️Our hearts also break for the ones who are Yours, but they are not walking according to Your ways. Bring them to repentance today. Powerfully work in them so that they no longer love what You hate. Extend Your tender mercy and grace to them today.

May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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