It’s that time of year again.
The leaves are beginning to change color and gently fall to the ground.
The shadows are shifting in the yard.
The mornings are pitch black and …
it is getting darker earlier in the evening.
Last night I was struck with how dark it was and being unaware of the time, thought it to be later. The clock revealed it was six o’clock.
Was it this dark yesterday at six o’clock? When did it become so dark so early? How had I missed the progression of darkness?
Have you ever noticed that we are not aware of how dark it is until the light is gone?
“For even
though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but
they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was
darkened.”
(Romans 1:21, NASB)
The people Paul is speaking of knew God. But they were not glorifying Him as God. In other words, they would not worship Him as God.
Paul also tells us, neither would they give Him thanks; and so began the process in their hearts –
- Their thinking became foolish.
- Their thoughts about God became confused.
- Their minds went dark.
“We can reasonably expect that knowing God should lead to honoring him as God and giving thanks. But by nature people neither give him glory for who he is nor give him thanks for what he has done.”
(The New American Commentary, Vol. 27, by Robert H.Mounce, page 79)
There we see the reason we want to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude helps to keep the light on in our hearts.
“God gives to all the basic requirements for this life irrespective of their relationship to him. The proper response should be gratitude. But people choose to ignore God and come up with their own version of reality.”
(The New American Commentary, Vol. 27, by Robert H.Mounce, page 79)
In this one verse (Romans 1:21), we see the distinction between light and darkness and also wisdom and foolishness.
An attitude of gratitude towards God is critical to the light and wisdom in which we will walk each day.
“An unthankful heart eventually becomes dark.”
(Albert Lindsey)
So, with that said, what are you grateful for today?
Photo by John Jennings on Unsplash
That's so true, that we can sit in a dimming room and not be aware how dark it's getting until we look up. What a powerful spiritual parallel, not to let the darkness engulf us.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,you worded it well - we should "not let the darkness engulf us." May we stay ever aware.
DeleteToday I am grateful that God gives me time to process, to find my footing after a hard challenge. I remember when I was little being so terrified of the dark at night - until I called out to God to protect me and I believed He would!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how when we are young, we are terrified of the dark and of the night. We learn in time to call out to God for protection. When He responds, we grow and believe He will be faithful to always do so.
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