Thought for the Day

The history of those nations that have had God's light demonstrates the truths of today's proverb. Whenever Israel turned away from God, such as during Samuel's early life, the nation suffered. "...And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision" (1 Samuel 3:1). Judges 21:25 reveals the terrible state of lawlessness and violence into which Israel had fallen when Samuel was a child, for "every man did what was right in his own eyes."

History illustrates that times become very dark when a vision of God's revelation departs. The fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D. is generally regarded as ending ancient history and commencing Europe's Dark Ages. The Roman Empire had brought peace, prosperity, culture, and learning to Europe. When it fell, the Romans were followed by illiterate barbarians. Western Europe plunged into political chaos and social disorder. Civilization almost completely disappeared. Illiteracy and ignorance of God's ways governed nobles and peasants alike. Education and literacy were relegated to monasteries. Churchmen preserved the Bible and other books that had been written in Latin before Rome's fall, but records from this period of the "Dark Ages" bear little clarity. The works of the many clerics of this time are inconsistent and show great ignorance because of their acceptance of fanciful stories as truth.

Satan strives to keep people in ignorance, and "in the dark." He has tried many times to destroy Scripture, to prohibit the preaching of the Gospel, and to persecute God's people. When a society turns its back on God and restricts the Gospel, as many nations have done, that nation regresses into violence and immorality. Those opposing the Bible do not realize that they are opposing the very influences that make life pleasant, for God is light and His light brings revelation, which liberates people. The revelation of Biblical truths and the practice of them always produce an orderly and civilized society and affect all aspects of its culture in a positive way.

True Christians strive to obey God's commandments, not as a means of getting to heaven, but because they desire to honor and please God. Heavenly vision and revelation come to those who know Christ. Without this vision, people perish. "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it" (Amos 8:11-12).