Did God really say darkness can be felt?
Yes … yes he did.
We tend to think that darkness and light are for the visual sense of sight, but there is a darkness so black, a despair so deep that it can be felt.
Before light, darkness covered the earth. ” ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
Light is a creative force. Plants need light to grow. Sonlight triggers the release of serotonin, causing us feel upbeat and hopeful.
Darkness is a destructive force. Plants die in darkness. Darkness triggers depression and despair.
We live in an age of intense light, both in the physical realm, but also at a social level. It seems every comment and act is exposed to public scrutiny. Even the dead are at risk for ridicule. Every Internet search is recorded and catalogued, revealing our heart and character. As we seek to hide our deeds this intense light drives us deeper into darkness.
When Moses commanded Pharaoh to release God’s people, the Egyptian ruler refused. So “the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.’ Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.”
The word for felt in Hebrew is more than simply a darkness that affects the inward man and hope. This kind of felt is the Hebrew word that signifies touch.
“When a person deviates from the eternal rules of God and morality, there is darkness.” – Billy Graham
The darkness of which Mr. Graham spoke is not simply shades of shadows, but a complete loss of inward light. It is a soul-deep darkness. This is one reason so many individuals grope around as though blind. They cling to all manner of perverted beliefs in hopes of finding footing and safety in numbers. While they blindly comfort and cling to one another, claiming to be enlightened, they stand at the edge of a chasm so deep and dark that no light reaches down into it.
When Pharaoh finally relented and released God’s people the angel of God went before them, leading the way. “Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side.” Many Biblical scholars believe this angel of God was the pre-incarnate Christ: the One who actually created the heavens and earth at God’s command. “Through Christ all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:3
With the light of Christ, moral decisions become black and white. With the light of Christ, God’s words, commands and laws bring liberty and life. But the one who rules the realm of darkness — the one who steals, kills, and destroys — would have you believe that the words of Christ are hurtful, out-dated, and of no value to the wise, educated, and enlightened.
This is a lie.
“Some have rejected the truth of God and become victims of a great delusion. They have changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped the creature more than the Creator. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.” Romans 1: 25-26. “For this reason God will send them a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” II Thessalonians 2:10-12.
Without the light of Christ we make our way along in darkness. Even if it seems as though we are progressing towards a greater age of enlightenment, we are actually rushing headlong into the fires of Hell where there is a darkness so intense it will be felt for eternity.
During his final moments on earth Christ hung on a cross between two convicts. One taunted him, saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” The other begged for forgiveness. “Don’t you fear God. We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
One convict died in his sins and went to hell.
The other admitted he was a sinner and acknowledged that Christ had done nothing to deserve death. “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to the second man, “today you will be with me in paradise.”
Confess your sins. Admit that Christ accepted punishment for your sins. Then come into the light and begin to live a life without sin: a life of love, joy, peace, self-control, kindness, moral integrity, devotion to God, self-control and gentleness.