We imagine that whatever we are fearful of, its power increase tenfold at night. On the night of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit us around midnight two years ago, there was an unusually big full-moon. It gave great comfort by its light as we assembled outside, frozen in shock. At least we were able to see that our house was still standing, but not well enough to assess the damage. When the power returned, a small solitary light came on in the linen cupboard upstairs, and somehow it gave us reassurance that, eventually, all would be well.
It is in the dark places that we are more inclined to reach out for help. Sharing a fox-hole while on sentry duty at night is only made bearable by the presence of another person assigned to share the same space. Equally though, the jitters of one transfers easily to the other. I have experienced this myself on an army exercise when I was just 19, and even though our “enemy” were equipped only with blank ammunition, it was scary enough to know that they were coming our way. In the dark.
This verse of scripture gives us just one directive: fear not. These are words repeated many times in both the old and new testaments, from the mouths of angels and even Jesus himself. (Luke 12:32) Many saints have gone before us who have found the courage to hold their ground in dark situations. Even as insults and false accusations have flown like arrows in broad daylight, there has been great comfort drawn from the reassurance of this scripture. We need not run and hide if we know that Jesus has us covered already. The confidence that we once had in ourselves is quickly set aside when we find the one sharing our “fox-hole” is our greatest ally and loyal friend. In him alone can we be confident.
Barry Struthers
It is in the dark places that we are more inclined to reach out for help. Sharing a fox-hole while on sentry duty at night is only made bearable by the presence of another person assigned to share the same space. Equally though, the jitters of one transfers easily to the other. I have experienced this myself on an army exercise when I was just 19, and even though our “enemy” were equipped only with blank ammunition, it was scary enough to know that they were coming our way. In the dark.
This verse of scripture gives us just one directive: fear not. These are words repeated many times in both the old and new testaments, from the mouths of angels and even Jesus himself. (Luke 12:32) Many saints have gone before us who have found the courage to hold their ground in dark situations. Even as insults and false accusations have flown like arrows in broad daylight, there has been great comfort drawn from the reassurance of this scripture. We need not run and hide if we know that Jesus has us covered already. The confidence that we once had in ourselves is quickly set aside when we find the one sharing our “fox-hole” is our greatest ally and loyal friend. In him alone can we be confident.
Barry Struthers
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