Lightness and darkness

Many parts of the bible -- and especially those written by John -- emphasize differences between lightness and darkness, with those concepts appearing to represent righteousness and unrighteousness. This starts right at the beginning of the bible (Genesis 1:4-5, KJV),

God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Note that God divided, or separated, the two. Note, also, that "the evening and the morning" were the first "day." That is, morning (lightness) follows the evening (darkness), and both together go by the same term used to describe the light -- that is, "day." The implication, it would seem, is that lightness will eventually overcome darkness.

The New Testament writers expand upon that dichotomy. For example, Paul writes (1 Thessalonians 5:5, KJV),

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

As we pray, let us remember our pursuit of the "lightness" and be watchful for dangers of the "darkness."

I said not, seek ye me in vain

Numbers 10 outlines God's military instructions to the Israelites. What's interesting about that material is that God does not provide mechanical instructions on the fundamentals of fighting. Rather, God instructs the Israelites on how to call for his help (Numbers 10:9, KJV),

If ye go to war ... then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

Note the certainty of the wording: "ye shall be remembered" and "ye shall be saved." Just by calling to God! This passage is surely also intended as instruction to us. When we "go to war," meaning when we encounter earthly or spiritual struggles, we should call to God, and he will hear us and save us.

That passage brings to mind a famous verse from Isaiah 45:19 (KJV),

I said not, ... seek ye me in vain.

God promises that calling to him is not a fruitless endeavor. He hears, he protects, and he saves.