Sitting on our front porch swing recently, I was intrigued with the sounds of darkness. The tree line in front of our home was beginning to darken around the tree trunks. It signaled the beginning of a great chorus of night sounds. All the crickets and critters of the night were singing; announcing the coming of night. The upper half of the trees were filtering through a group of clouds that were illuminating the sky with a red hue from the sun’s rays. It was a peaceful atmosphere for the soul’s need for reflection and meditation. (Joshua 1:8)
Then I began to think of other sounds of darkness. The cries of the souls that are living in darkness by choice. The cries of the souls that are living in an atmosphere of darkness not by their own choice. I think of gunshots that are heard as a result of drugs, alcohol, or uncontrolled anger. Screams of those who are physically and mentally abused. I am reminded of cries during the night when children cry out in fear of the dark and the unknown. Then there are the whimpering cries of those who have been rejected, abandoned and feel all alone; wondering if there is going to be any hope for their bruised souls. “But when I looked for good, evil came to me; and when I waited for light, then came darkness.” (Job 30:26)
For those who are living in darkness by choice; “…your sins have withheld good from you.” (Jeremiah 5:25) Also, your sins have aggravated your condition by the darkening of your understanding. You may even profess to know God but the Scriptures tell of the consequences of this behavior. “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21) Not only a darkened understanding and heart is involved here, but there is giving place to the devil because of your sins, which gives him the legal right to take you captive and torment you. “…having been taken captive by the devil to do his will.” (II Timothy 2:26)
This combination of evil choices, darkened understanding, and the work of the devil will bring sounds of darkness in the home and in relationships. You ask; what must I do to stop this madness? You must “wash your heart from wickedness that you may be saved.” (Jeremiah 4:13) You must run back to the Father like the prodigal son in Luke 15:18. “I will arise and go to my father and will say to him; ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.’”
Repent of your sins one by one and make amends to those you have wronged. Then be ready to bear the consequences of those sins. For loved ones have been wounded by the sounds of darkness that you have instigated in your wildness. Now you must apply the Scriptures to your life “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”(Ephesians 4:12) You may have to submit to difficult news that you can’t come home yet. But, you must trust the Lord through it all. “Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him.” (Job 13:15) You must get back in the Word, in church and be rightly related to the Lord.
For those who are exposed to the sounds of darkness not of their own doing; seek strength in the Lord, seek counsel from the wise, purchase a copy of Streams In The Desert, a classic Christian devotional book, and wait upon the Lord. “Wait upon the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart…” (Psalm 27:14) Do not return to a troubled marriage unless you have peace from God about it.
You need to put on the armor of God daily (Ephesians 6:10-17) and pray for His direction. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”Proverbs 3:5&6.
Walk in the light as He is in the light,
