Of Wilderness and Darkness; Bounty and Light

“O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?” Jer. 2:31

How is it that the Lord can become a wilderness and land of darkness? He can’t, but people may think so when they say they are the lords and turn away from Him. Of course, with that, His blessing and light is withdrawn, and as rain and light is withheld from a once flourishing land, it returns to dust and dry acreage. Wherefore, and this is the word used in the text, men think God contributes little; thus, He is as wilderness and darkness. However, in sin and as their own lords, they prefer a moment’s pleasure at their direction as opposed to God’s gracious daily portion. Why? The pride of man aspires for more manna than that provided for a single day; twice the portion for us to keep the Sabbath.

Notice too this verse begins, ‘see ye the word of the Lord,’ as opposed to hear. Whatever was happening in Israel, the land was visibly turning from what it was; that is, a land flowing of milk and honey and light; to wilderness and darkness. It was plainly seen in their culture; where men tried to survive in a wilderness, living as brutes and fighting for scraps; while wickedness (darkness) covered the land. I suspect some of my readers, who live in some neighborhoods across America know the picture. They visibly see the physical decay; find the economic opportunities lean, and they live continually in the shadows of the hustlers and the hustled every day. Nonetheless, Christ is still there, and indwells these dear people; though it seems at times that hope is lost. Let me tell you, it is not. Stay the course and follow the yonder star! Nonetheless…

It is interesting to see how a spiritual darkness has spread over the globe. Talk about global warming, we should be more concerned with the global cooling of our hearts towards a risen Savior and Lord! Four hundred years ago, the nations of Germany, France and England experienced a tremendous revival among the people. As a result of the ensuing political and institutional church pressures, many fled to the Americas; much the same as the early church was sent scurrying away from Jerusalem. It is seen today that those nations have become a spiritual wilderness; without light. While man may say that God is to blame for the wilderness and darkness, it is not true. How can they say that? They say it because they believe the folly of the church and its teaching has held civilization back from realizing its full human potential… they say, man has spent centuries wasting away in religious darkness and control. However, they only put their own ignorance of history on display. Man cannot begin to fathom the great things God has done through His church in so many areas: human and equal rights, education, medicine… just to name several. I’m not disavowing the incredible sin that has permeated the ‘institutional church’, where men and their polity sought to control parishioners through imputing guilt; not forgiveness and teaching false doctrine. Those who did so contributed to the wilderness and darkness of man; not God. Notwithstanding, I fear that what is seen in our culture today, is our passing from day into night… spiritual enlightenment as a people to a wilderness. Does this herald the imminent return of the Lord? It may, but let me say that as darkness falls, sunrise occurs elsewhere, and I’m looking for that.