He Knows What Is In The Darkness

"He knows what is in the darkness," Daniel 2:22b

Humankind does not like darkness. We were not created for darkness. Our eyes, unlike those of many animals, were not made for the dark. Many of us, as children, were afraid of the dark. As adults, we still do not like complete darkness. It only takes stepping on a stray Lego in the middle of the night to remind us of the dangers that lurk where we cannot see. Before the advent of street lights, the night could be a dangerous place due to the darkness of the roads and alleys. The darkness gave camouflage to the thieves and highwaymen who lay in ambush for travelers. So whether it is childlike fear of monsters under the bed or a more serious concern like criminals on the road, darkness brings fear to the hearts of men.

Daniel, here, has broken out in praise to God. King Nebuchadnezzar had ordered the destruction of Babylon's wise men unless they could both tell him his dream and interpret it. None of the men of Babylon had been able to do what the king commanded. However, Daniel and his friends had sought mercy from the Lord, and the Lord gave to Daniel both the dream and its interpretation. Now He breaks out in praise to God!

This statement in Daniel 2:22 gave me pause. There is something tremendous in this statement. So often, we see darkness around us. Daniel was living in dark days. He and his friends had been taken into captivity, forced to learn the foreign ways, and even had their Hebrew names changed. There was much darkness in their world, but they were learning that their God was faithful, even in dark times.

For many of us, our world can seem dark today. Social restrictions due to COVID have taken many away from interactions with friends, family, and even the church. We are living under the fear of disease, social turmoil, along with political and economic uncertainty. From our perspective, using our human eyes, there is much that seems to be unsettled, and we have no idea where the next few years might go. The future looks dark to many, especially for us in the church. How comforting to Daniel and us that God knows what is in the darkness!

As a child, I had to have a light on at night. I was terrified of the dark unless my father was there with me. But, if I was snuggled up beside my parents in bed or even on the floor at the foot of the bed, I did not worry, and there was no fear of the darkness because my father was there.

Christians, know that your Father is here. He knows what is in the darkness of this world. The Lord knows the schemes of the devil and this world. He knows the plans of every man. He knows all of it, and He is with you. Do not fear the darkness, but remember Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." This knowledge is important when our understanding is covered in darkness. We must remember that the Lord "knows what is in the Darkness!"