Dividing the Light From the Darkness

 “And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.”-Genesis 1:4


I want to talk about a question we always hear in the streets. That is, if God exists why is there pain and suffering? The problem of evil is an age old question and I have no hope of covering it completely. It is my hope to get your mind going that you might have an answer when it comes along. Could God have made a world where none of these things exist? I don't know, what I do know is that He made this world and called it good.


“...and God divided the light from the darkness.”


As I stood in front of the little tavern in the morning waiting for the city bus this seed took root. It was then I took the picture you see. I looked at the board-covered windows, it struck me what lengths sinful people go to, to keep the light out. The theme of the day was set, that is division, the division of light from darkness.


What does that have to do with pain and struggles?
Don't bad things happen to good people?
Yes they do, walking with God is like walking under an umbrella in the rain it won't keep you entirely dry, it will however protect your head. Jesus protects your head and heart in the midst of whatever situation you face. Even more, if we are acting in Christian principles we will set the standard of those around us. This standard will keep us from many situations that others suffer needlessly. Wisdom cries out in our streets.


“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”-Psalms 103:2


“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.  The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”-Proverbs 4:18-19


How many wicked plans started in taverns like this, that could have been avoided by avoiding that place to start with?


The bus came and I decided to continue working on my memory verses, reading outloud the verse and number. I heard the men behind me talking, Why do we always get behind the Bible thumpers? The division deepened. Do they not smell the death all around them?
Yet,” And God saw the light, that it was good:”


As I reached my destination, the people remembering me from the day before, told me to go home. I am a stranger here, and though I am unwanted, I must stand here at the gates of hell hoping to pull even one out of the fire. God never said the darkness was good rather the light. We must call people to the light, the life was the light of men. It is the light that saves...


“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
-Psalm 119:130


The suffering of this world is caused by sin, if we would get this simple understanding, perhaps, we would set our hearts and minds on towards obedience to Christ. If we would do this we would change the world around us for the better.
I spent the day pleading with the construction workers who are building the addition to the Spokane death pit. They would hold the horn on their lift truck trying to drown out my simple question, How much is your soul worth?
One man in particular, was railing against me and scoffing and I knew I was making an impact on him. By the end of the day he came to me humbly saying he didn't agree with abortions. I said, but you do, because you are helping them by building this building, to which he replied that he was only providing a service.
Funny thing is, that's what the Germans said during their holocaust.


God is dividing the light from the darkness even now. Which side are you on? The construction worker turned away sad not unlike the rich young ruler long ago. What will you do when faced with light?
Will you embrace it or will you turn away?
The choice is up to you, choose wisely because your choices have consequences. And on that note, let me finish the account of this day...


The last place we went was a park near a local high school. The principle had directed us there saying many students hung out there after school. We approached the park and the smell of marijuana was very strong.
The brother that I was with began to preach about the glory of God, immediately drawing opposition. One young lady came punching his signs somewhat mildly, but cursing vulgarly and telling us to leave. We resisted them and stayed the course hearing all of their points of opposition. A few of the young women confessed to suffering great evil (rape & violence). They can't imagine a God who would allow these things, never considering the depth of the statement that they kept repeating, people are free to do what they want. God gave us this freedom, he made us to have a choice, and as already stated, with choices come consequences. However, when we fail to expose those wrongful actions, lawlessness abounds. This is the way that God has called us to handle the problem of evil, light destroys the works of darkness. He made the light and saw that it was good, it is up to us to walk in that light.


“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”-I Peter 2:9