An End to the Darkness

Adrian Armstrong, our Head of Bible Engagement, tells the story of a new resource that points to the light of God in his Word, as we pass through times of darkness.

The Biblical story begins in darkness.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.”

Genesis 1:1-2, NIVUK

But here, at the very beginning, the darkness is transformed by the presence of God and his Word, which brings light and life:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.”

Genesis 1:2-4, NIVUK

In the verses that follow in this chapter of Genesis, God takes the formless and empty earth and shapes and fills it with life, bringing forth a creation that is overflowing with life and which is wonderfully good.

There are times in the Biblical story when the God-given order, fullness, and light of the world is under threat from Satan, the one who opposes God and who seeks to destroy life. And there are times in our lives when chaos, emptiness, and darkness threaten to overwhelm us.

Overwhelmed. It’s a word we hear all the time in our bible-based Trauma Healing programme, not just from people in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, but from people here in Scotland. And overwhelming is a good description of what the world has experienced these past two years, as our lives have been turned upside down because of Covid-19. This year as we have sought to get back on our feet, our world has been shocked by fresh darkness.

“The entrance of thy words giveth light” Psalm 119:130, KJV

The Psalmist says, “Many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’” (Ps 4:6, NIVUK). He gives the answer in the next line, “Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord”. In the face of so much darkness, we turn in faith and hope to God, that God’s light and life might flood into our lives. As a Bible Society, part of our role is to encourage the church, and the nation, to find fresh hope, light and life in the Word of God.

An End to the Darkness is a new Bible Engagement resource exploring the book of Job for churches, small groups, and individuals. It focuses on the Biblical book of Job, which explores Job’s profound suffering as he seeks to make sense, within his relationship with God, of the darkness that has overwhelmed his life.

Job wrestles long and hard with his own suffering, and with the wider question of why the righteous suffer. Through it all he clings to what he knows to be true about God, despite the discouragement of his wife and his friends, whose accusations and quick answers add to his pain rather than relieve it. In short, it is an ideal book to read as we seek to negotiate the darkness we are passing through.

  • A ten-part audio play entitled An End to the Darkness written and produced by Fiona Stewart of Foolproof Creative Arts.
  • An End to the Darkness Bible Study printed booklet, featuring the entire book of Job, a daily reading plan, and Bible studies on ten key passages within Job.

The Lord Jesus Christ declared,

“ I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12, NIVUK

As Christians we firmly believe that God remains present with us, amidst the darkness, the source of eternal life giving light. God is at work amidst the darkness, and our firm hope and belief is that it is the light of God and not the darkness of evil which will win, because of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5, NIVUK).

The Bible concludes with a glorious vision of the new creation, when darkness is no more, “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light” (Rev 22:5). The Bible begins and ends with the presence of God banishing the darkness. One day, the night will be no more. Until then, God has given us the gift of his wonderful Word to show us the way through the darkness, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Ps 119:105).

To listen to An End to the Darkness audio play and to order the booklet visit https://bible.scot/aettd

or for further information email adrian.armstrong@scottishbiblesociety.org