Light Overpowers Our Darkness

Everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.

–John 12:46

Jesus is called the Light of the world because He overpowers our darkness. In John 12:46, He said, “Everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” Yes, sometimes it seems like the darkness overpowers the light, but eventually the light overpowers the darkness.

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul gave an analysis of every problem you’re facing in your life right now. He said, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Notice he said our struggle is not against other people but against the “world forces of this darkness.”

There’s a battle going on right now between the forces of darkness and the forces of light, between the kingdom of Satan and the kingdom of God. And at times, it seems like the darkness is winning. Maybe you’re having a hard time getting into the Christmas festivities because you’ve experienced darkness this year, whether it’s the death of a loved one, the burden of a financial difficulty, the rebellion of a child or grandchild, or the erosion of an important relationship. It seems like the darkness is winning because it is winning–for now.

But it won’t always be that way. A day will come when the light overcomes the darkness. Think about Jesus’s disciples. The day we call Good Friday was a dark, dark day for them. The man they had followed for three years had just been crucified, His body had been placed in a tomb, and the disciples’ dreams of a kingdom had been dashed. They had never been lower than they were that Friday evening. But three days later, Easter Sunday dawned, and the light of God’s power illuminated the tomb and raised Jesus Christ from the dead. The darkness of death was eclipsed by the light of God’s power, and that same power will rid your life of darkness as well.

Light eventually overcomes the darkness–if not in this life, then certainly in the life to come. Revelation 22:5 describes what the new heaven and earth will be like for those who have trusted in Christ: “There will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.” That is the promise for every follower of Jesus Christ.

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Today’s devotion is adapted from “When Darkness Overcomes the Light” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2023.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.