Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide.

There are times when life appears very dark. We understand what the hymn writer meant by “the darkness deepens.” Recent headlines bear it out. Racial tensions. Politicians spewing vitriol at each other. Police officers being targeted and killed. Christians being persecuted for their faith around the world. A young man whose mission in life was to share his faith in Jesus was cut down by an assassin.

But it is more than just “out there” in the world. We know darkness on a personal level. Family members and loved ones dies. Watching Alzheimer’s and dementia take someone away from you. People suffering from debilitating diseases. Marriages die because of infidelity or just lack of trying.

All of this darkness would overwhelm us if not for the one who left the glory of heaven to take on flesh and become one of us. Listen to how He described Himself:

John 8:12  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The one who first said “Let there be light…” would give us the light of His own presence to overcome the darkness of this sinful world. That light in our lives prevents the darkness from overwhelming us.

John 12:46  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

The Light of the World gives us peace and comfort, because we know that He has defeated sin and death for us. He did that by paying sin’s penalty for us, offering His perfect life as sufficient payment for the sin of the world. Then He rose in victory over death, a victory that He gives to everyone who believes in Him. He gives us the light of life.

A couple of years after I moved to serve Grace Lutheran in Denison, Texas, a dear woman from my former congregation in Oklahoma died. Her family was especially kind to us while we were there, so we made the trip back to attend her funeral. Our oldest daughter was about eight years old at the time, and Cheryl was talking to our girls about the reason for our trip. Rachel asked, “Did Mildred die and go to be with Jesus?” Cheryl answered, “Yes.” Rachel responded, “Oh! I thought something bad happened to her.”

Lord, give us such a faith as this, and then whate’er may come
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss of an eternal home.