READ: Pslam 27
New York City is known as “The City that Never Sleeps.” The backroads buzz in the middle of the night, the skyline sings in the wee-hours of the morning, and commuters move around the clock like little worker-bees in a massive hive. New York’s lights can be seen for miles, but all that changed on November 9, 1965. Just as the sun settled beneath the horizon, the whole city went black. The Great Blackout sent over 30 million people into complete darkness in half a dozen states in the North East.
It created an alarming situation, but the city prevailed. This blackout notoriously brought New Yorkers together in a time of literal darkness. Over 800,000 people were stranded underground in motionless subway cars during the complete blackout. Using pocket lighters, thousands of people helped disoriented commuters walk along pitch black subway tracks. It looked like a parade of fireflies flying through the underground tunnels. Millions of people were without electricity to make dinner, so creative cooks hosted village-wide cookouts by heating food over grills and flaming oil cans. From giving away food to checking on their neighbors, the citizens rallied together to survive the grueling 10-hour power failure.
Light shines brightest in the darkest surroundings.
In Psalm 27, David kicks off his song, “The Lord is my light and my salvation. I will fear no one” (27:1). Just like a child comforted by a nightlight, light frees David from fear. The message is clear that you do not have to fear. God is your light and your salvation. From the Israelites wandering through the wilderness to Jesus calling His followers
the light of the world, the illustration of light is central to Scripture.
Light helps in three ways:
- It helps you see things clearly.
- It helps you feel safe.
- It helps you know where to go.
- Has your life ever went into a blackout? Has a sudden loss of light made you feel directionless and disoriented? We face different kinds of darkness, like stress, betrayal, and inadequacy. When you face darkness, look for the light. It will help you see things more clearly. It will help you feel safe. It will help you know where to go. Whenever you’re disoriented by darkness, look for the light.