God Dwells in Thick Darkness

God's Nature is Light

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. He is so much light that He is the father of lights in whom there is no variableness, no shadow of turning (James 1:17). His word is a light to our path and lamp unto our feet (Ps 119:105). This light shines in the darkness and darkness cannot comprehend (John 1:5). In Him is life and this life is the light of men (John 1:4). At the coming of the Lord, His glory will be as the brightness of seven suns. Jesus is the sun of righteousness. In the new Jerusalem, God Himself is the light of the city. These and many more establish the nature of God as Light.

Light is Beyond Luminous

As a little digression, light isn't just what we can see with our naked eyes. Light isn't just what makes physical objects visible. Light could be intellectual when it involves understanding a topic or ideology. Light is understanding. Light is conviction. Light is perception. Light is knowledge. Light isn't just what we can see, it is how we see. When we have coloured lights, a see everything else by that light. The intensity and colour of light will affect our perception of any object upon which the light beams. Many times, we criticize the objects we see, whereas there is no fault with the object. We see what we see because of the kind of light we use. Light influences our way of life. We conduct our lives based on how we see it.

Where does Light Shine From?

Try to put out the main source of light, what do you have? Darkness! Light recites in darkness. Light shines from within darkness. It is safe and logical to say that light recites in darkness.

Incredibly Paradoxical

2 Chronicles 6:1 "The Lord hath said that He dwells in thick darkness."

We have established Light as the nature of God from scriptures. However, it is almost preposterous to say God dwells in darkness. Irrespective of how we feel about it, scriptures say God's dwelling is thick darkness. How could this be? Light dwelling in the midst of darkness? I do not intend to provide explicit answers, I just intend to set our hearts on fire to pursue the truth after we are done reading this article.

The first paragraph talks about the nature and impact of God, while the title refers to His dwelling place. One tells us what happens when we meet God, the other tells us where we can meet God. One tells us what happens when God comes, the other tells us where He has been all the while. While many people have dealt with God as light, I have seen little or no exposition on why God dwells in darkness. I hope this provides sufficient basis to begin our Berean search.

Why Thick Darkness?

Light resides in darkness. How come God resides in thick darkness? First, He is the light of the world. Without Him the entire creation is a lump of darkness. Without God there is no knowledge, no perception, no conviction, no physical light, no intellectual light. Without God, there will be nothing at all. Using the sun as an illustration, scientists say the sun is the basic source of all energy. All other forms of energy are as a result of the sun. We have variety because the primary source of energy has been converted into other forms. Science can boast about its light because it has been able to harness a single photon from God's light.

Darkness Cannot Comprehend

The mystery and revelation that light dwells in darkness is not brand new. It is echoed all over the scripture. The temple, mount Sinai and even the gospel of John. Have we ever considered John 1:5? What do we think meant by darkness unable to comprehend light? Some scripture translation puts it as extinguish. But a more detailed look will reveal it's more about taking ownership, possession. It's about control and dominion. It's about manipulation and influence. I may rephrase: "Though this light dwells in darkness, the darkness cannot claim ownership, neither can it manipulate or dominate this light."

Why does God dwell in Darkness?

I can summarize this entire article in one sentence "We cannot truly know God unless we approach." When we stand afar off, all we see is nothing; all we believe are speculations no matter how convinced we are; all our decisions are guesses done of which are lucky guesses. Science gropes in darkness and so much uncertainties. She feels her way with her hands and when she finds a new object, she announces at the top of her voice. She can feel the objects weight, feel its shape and suggest uses for it. She includes it in the volume of things she teaches her offspring. Then she continues her search. This is not to say this is how all discoveries where made. There are men who have seen by the inspiration of God. There are also men who took advantage of God's benevolent cycle of day and night. By light, we can see clearly.

The Atheist's View

God recides in dense darkness. No matter how carefully we observe or peep through the darkness, we cannot see anything. Even if we approach just a little bit, we might not see light because its a thick darkness. I envy the dutiful and critical analysis of the atheist. However, no amount is research and diligence can make us arrive at the knowledge of God. We must approach Him. Life is a summation of approaching uncertainties. Astrology sends robots and invest heavily just to cut through dark space, satisfy curiosity, challenge uncertainties to see what lies beyond. But they only do so with the right tools. Planes, though they can fly, cannot travel space. There is a right vehicle for every path. But when it comes to the knowledge of God, atheists approach God's space with an airplane of Logic. Logic is a wrong vehicle to cut through 'thick darkness.' 'Without faith it is impossible to please God. They that come to God must believe that He is and a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Heb 11:6'. Faith is the spaceship with which we can explore God's space. Add a matter of fact all of scripture is logical only if we have understood it.

The Religious View

Don't get too excited that you now know why atheists don't believe. The atheists stands outside and draws conclusion because he cannot see anything. That doesn't make the religious person better. He also draws conclusion without approaching. Religious people base faith on hearsay. They also stand outside and tell others God is here without setting eyes on Him.

But there is a Man

There is a man who believes there is  God and approaches with faith. He is the spiritual man. He cuts through the thick darkness with faith- curiosity of the spirit-which itself is a gift from God. One of such men was Enoch. He walked through the darkness, met with God and was never seen again.

The purpose of this is not that we boast about with a new revelation. Neither is the purpose to add knowledge to intimidate others. The whole essence is "what then shall we do?" How do we conduct our lives now that we know God dwells in thick darkness? How does this benefit us.

He wants us to Approach

God Hides himself in darkness not to starve us of His presence but to allow us approach Him. "draw nigh unto me and I will draw nigh unto you." The knowledge of God cannot come by observation no mater how critical. We can only know God only if we approach Him.

He Wants us Intimate

The bed chambers is the place of uttermost intimacy. It is the least lit place in the entire palace. As a matter of fact the bed Chambers might be entirely dark. On Jacob's wedding night, His wife could only be swapped because it was completely dark. God recides in darkness so that we can have confidence to be most intimate with Him. We can approach Him confidently and without shame. We can loose ourselves in His presence without fear of being seen. It is dark so we don't get intimidated by overly observing our weakness. He only ought to be our focus. Whatever we see about ourselves we only see by the light He beams.

We Approach with Caution

No one walks carelessly in the dark.  We cannot approach God carelessly. We must approach confidently but with caution. We must approach by the blood of the lamb. We must approach with awe. Scriptures admonish us to walk circumspectly so that we can remain in God's will. Nadab and Abihu approached carelessly and it cost them their lives.

We Approach by Instruction

We do not see the path, so we have to await every line of instruction to proceed. This is synonymous to walking with caution. We cannot approach presumptuously. We cannot even see multiple paths to choose from. We have to wait for Him to speak and follow His voice. "Thy word is a light unto my path and a lamp to my feet." This verse accurately expresses the idea. We cannot navigate towards God ordinarily, we navigate by His word-the light. Those who are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God. "You will hear a voice behind you saying 'this is the way, walk ye in it.'"

We Walk by Faith

It is no hope if we have it already. It is no faith if we see it already. This magnifies God's sovereignty the more. The just shall live by faith. Faith is what keeps us approaching God. Faith is what causes us to draw nigh despite the thick wall of uncertainty and darkness. It is not that we know for sure what less behind the veil. But God gives us faith to come to Him. Faith is the curiosity of the spirit; it is what gives us confidence to plunge into the darkness knowing God dwells behind the veil.

Christianity is Experiential

God never intended that we would speak of something we do not know. Knowledge here transcends intellectual content. It implies union and homogeneity of nature. He would not have us be His emissaries from a distance. He wants us to come near, know Him, experience Him before speaking. He wouldn't want us building a life or ministry while we observe from afar. He'd rather cast darkness upon all outside. While men outside deliberate and debate in what lies behind the veil, only the one who's been there can tell.

He Wants to be Our Light

When we step into the thick darkness, there is no way we can see. Since light isn't just what we see but also how we see, we no longer see from inaccurate perspectives. As we approach God, our world is illuminated by His light. Every other light (perspective) is shielded by the thick clouds. We see things as He sees and know things that He reveals. He doesn't want us to grope in darkness, live by speculations and decide by guessing. He wants us to live by His life which is the light of men.

It All Begins With Some Form of Uncertainty

A lot of people want to start their walk with God when they see Him. They give God terms and have a checklist of requisites before believing. If we didn't have emotions and intellect, it would have being much easier. But now that we do, some things do not just make meaning (dark) at the start. But until we learn, we don't understand; until we are convinced emotions do not agree. "The path of a just man shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day." I am convinced his first step was in darkness.

God is Here

I must not fail to mention that no matter how hopeless and helpless any situation may be, we can always find God in it. No matter how dark things may be, each step closer to God is an extra beam of light. No situation can be as clueless as thick darkness, and right in the middle of that is where the Light of the World resides.

Final Words

Mount Sinai was covered in a dark cloud. However, Moses approached and ascended and met with God. His face glowed as a result of the light he had encountered. The Holies of Holies was also totally dark, right there, was the Ark of covenant. God would have us all approach Him cautiously but confidently. He would have us approach with attention to detailed instruction while our weakness is buffered by His grace. He would have us intimate with Him, not afraid of our weaknesses and not intimidated by them.