The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God. When the sun rises, they gather together and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. (Psalm 104:21-23)

God, in His infinite wisdom, established a time table for when men should work and when the wild beasts would roam about seeking their food. Generally speaking, the beasts prefer to prowl at night to avoid detection, only returning to their habitations when the sun rises. As their hunting period ends, mankind rises and goes about his business for the duration of the day; then the cycle repeats itself. Once again, we see the design and order God has established and why there is darkness as well as light. In short, everything — including darkness — serves a purpose.

Now let us consider this scenario within a spiritual context. We understand that, by and large, darkness is emblematic of wickedness because “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed (John 3:19-20). In stark contrast, the people of God have come out of the darkness and walk in “the light in the Lord as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Furthermore, as His children and servants, we must be about our Father’s business advancing His Kingdom and building His house. In short, we are to expand the light and dispel the darkness.

According to the cycle God established, there is a predetermined time to work — when the sun is up and there is light. Furthermore it is written, “the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). So, like Messiah, we are to do the work of the One who has called us into service while it is day. He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Likewise, we must continually contend for the kingdom of heaven and carry light into the realm of darkness while there is yet time to work. Beasts and predators already threaten to devour and consume their prey, and as spiritual darkness grows more intense, their hunting frenzy will only intensify. Therefore you and I must be diligent in our mandate to seek out and pursue those who are lost and vulnerable. Boldly share the Good News of the Kingdom and declare liberty to those bound in darkness.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill