The Light Remains
My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word. —Psalm 119:28 NKJV
A few weeks ago, I shared this scripture on my social media pages with a word about lament (Facebook, Instagram). The KJV says “my soul melteth from heaviness.” In a lot of ways, I feel like this verse could have been written right now. The devastation from Hurricane Helene feels overwhelming, so much so that our souls are melting from the heaviness. If you’ve had electricity and internet/cell service, you’ve likely seen some video footage of the devastation. Entire houses, roads, bridges, and even towns washed away. Watching this unfold reminds me of another infamous September day, 9/11/2001, when I sat with a few others watching a different kind of devastation unfold on the dorm TV. God, how can this be?
I shared Psalm 119:28 a few weeks ago because I felt it was important to remind others that it’s okay to lament. I absolutely believe that the tomb is still empty because Jesus ROSE from the grave and DEFEATED death and that “life is worth the living just because He lives” as the Gaithers sing. But life is HARD this side of Heaven sometimes, and it’s okay to voice that. God understands. God weeps with us. The shortest verse in the Bible, John 11:35, tells us that “Jesus wept.” Jesus still wept over the death of Lazarus and shared in human grief even though he knew Lazarus' resurrection was coming. Sometimes it’s easy to feel like we are somehow disappointing God with our laments, but lamenting is biblical. The Bible Project has a great video on Lamentations and the significance of scriptures of lament being included in the Bible.
O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. —Psalm 62:8 NLT
I’ve definitely been pouring my heart out to God over the past few days. The storm damage was minimal in our area as the storm shifted shortly before moving through here. I was relieved. I admit, though, that I became increasingly agitated as I witnessed people being rude and unkind, in person and online, nearly immediately after the storm passed, even while parts of Atlanta were still flooded. Don’t they know that some people are hurting, Lord? Can’t they be a little more kind during this?
Yesterday, I felt a lot of the same frustration. (In times like these, social media can be a horrible place to hang out.) I admit I’ve spent too much time on Facebook in the last 48 hours, wanting to check on others, see the latest reports on areas needing assistance, and see what’s being done. Scroll, scroll, scroll. So much devastation. More rudeness. That’s flat out mean. Unrelated, but also devastating news. Oh God, please enter into all of this. The darkness seems overwhelming.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. —John 1:5 NLT
And then, today was different. Scroll, scroll, scroll. The Cajun Navy is on it. Convoy of Hope, Samaritan’s Purse, Total Flight Solutions, some guy with a helicopter, another guy with a helicopter, a Christian camp offering places to stay, numerous individuals organizing what they can to help…people being kind to one another in the comments…PEOPLE SUPPORTING PEOPLE!
This world can feel awfully dark sometimes, like the last ounce of good is about to be stomped out. But John 1 reminds us that the darkness WILL NOT WIN. (I wanted to use an exclamation mark there, but somehow a period feels more final.) The verses leading up to John 1:5 say this:
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. —John 1:1-4 NLT
In the beginning the Word (Jesus) ALREADY existed and his life brought light to everyone! The Light has been around way longer than any darkness we will ever face, and that empty tomb I mentioned earlier means that the darkness can NEVER extinguish it.
Friends, there is light out there, and we get to be part of it. Your kindness or help in a difficult or devastating situation can be what reminds someone that darkness doesn’t win. God sent Jesus to give light and life to everyone who would receive it. God loves us more than we will ever grasp, and it’s important to help others remember that in what feels like their darkest hour.
Will you pray with me?
Gracious God, Light in the Darkness, strengthen us with your love. Let the light of Christ shine on every hurt and every need. Reveal to us how we can share Your light today. Comfort us and restore all that is broken. Remind us that darkness never wins because Your Light remains. Amen.
