Yes, we are experiencing a “gross darkness” that is covering the earth. We are all feeling the effects of ongoing storms of mayhem, dark clouds of corruption and the shifting shadows of subversion.
But lest you think the darkness is only an indication of the devil’s presence, remember there is one greater who alone is Lord of the night.
“he earth was formless and void, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water” (Gen.1:2).
Before there was light, there was darkness—and both originated from the same creator. Darkness is not always the absence of God for it is He who made it. But not only does God move over the darkness, He rides upon it to carry out His purpose.
“He bowed the heaven as He came down, with thick darkness under His feet. He rode upon a cherub as He flew, and appeared upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness canopies around Him, dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. From the brightness before Him embers of fire are kindled. The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice” (2 Sam. 22:10-14)
Can you see Him? The captain of the hosts is riding upon the darkness with retribution in His hands, and He has fire in His eyes and a laugh in His belly. The Lord passes through the darkness as if on a joy ride, coming to deal with the oppressors and tormentors. The thickness of night is nothing to Him, for what the enemy uses as a smokescreen, the Lord uses as His transport!
Our dread champion is not threatened nor hindered by the darkness, for He uses it as momentum to reveal a greater glory. Because all things are under His feet, even the darkness must submit and yield to His movements and will. But even as that reality should strengthen our hope and build our faith, there is a greater call that He issues to those who follow Him.
He actually invites us into His darkness with Him. When Moses brought the people before the mountain of the Lord where there was thunder, lightning and smoke, an invitation was issued to come in the midst.
“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you so that you do not sin.’ The people stood a distance away as Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was” (Ex. 20:20-21)
Where the people gave in to their fears and avoided the darkness, Moses pressed in. He knew his master’s voice and had learned to trust Him. He knew there was another unseen reality at work. The darkness doesn’t take us away from the Lord’s presence, it actually draws us closer.
“Clouds and darkness are all around Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (Ps. 97:2).
We must understand this, church, in the days we now live. The closer the darkness comes, the closer His presence comes. The thicker the clouds seem, the greater His glory will be revealed. That which seeks to blind and oppress us is that very thing our God rides upon to bring forth His righteousness and justice.
The great deception will not work, for our adversary is about to be unmasked for the fool he truly is. The darkness that he is manipulating for evil intent is the very darkness heaven is counting on to usher in a supernatural revolution. Not just revelation, but revolution! Out of the darkness a glory is being revealed and a people are being empowered which only heaven could orchestrate. Even now, the very places where the enemy’s hordes have set up camp are the very places being prepared for glory.
Saints of God, the Spirit of God is yet hovering and brooding over the darkness. The voids that are before us are about to be filled with a wonder and majesty yet unseen. He who created this vast expanse with all its shades and shadows has been working behind the scenes, getting ready to reveal another one of His masterpieces. It is the sons and daughters who have risen with courage and fear nothing but Him. It is the promise of Eden returning once again to the earth to display life, light and the wild expanse of His glory. Know that behind every cloud of darkness is a piece of heaven waiting to be born!
But we have a choice. As we face this darkness, we must determine our response. Once again, the people of God are before a mountain. Once again we are feeling the shakings and storms emanating from unseen realms. But this mountain is the mountain of the Lord, and the only access to it is through the fear of the Lord (see Isa. 2:2-4). He is again inviting us to come unto this place where courage is apprehended and boldness is mustered.
Do not make the same mistake as the people of old. Do not avoid the darkness or turn from it. Do not stay on the sidelines or shrink back in uncertainty. It is time to run into the darkness, for it is in the thick darkness that He is sharing His secrets and revealing His heart! Just as He did with Moses, He is calling His servants and those who have been set apart for this season of deliverance that is now upon us, to come into His chambers and fellowship with His Spirit. It is only in this inner sanctum of the fiery mountain where true power and authority can be found.
Understand that this secret place is no longer found in the safety of the pastures or the hiddenness of the caves. No, this secret place can only be found in the darkness, in the storms, in the shakings. It is only when we step into and penetrate the darkness that we will see Him as He truly is.
This means to discard the fear of man and the fear of impending doom and trust in that which you cannot see. Gird up your loins and move forward! It’s time to face that which you dread. Do not turn back to familiar ways or paths of comfort. Do not allow that which you see and hear to turn you aside from this invitation into the dark places where the enemy cowers and the Lord reigns. Do not allow your fears of the dark to keep you from this upgrade in the Spirit and impartation from heaven.
Faith is being matured and the fear of the Lord is being established. For in these days of deliverance, those on the Lord’s side will not be known by their caution in staying safe, but by their courage in penetrating the darkness. {eoa}
Wanda Alger has been a field correspondent with Intercessors for America, is a recognized fivefold prophetic minister with DOVE USA, and is the author of several books, including Prayer That Sparks National Revival and Moving from Sword to Scepter: Ruling Through Prayer as the Ekklesia of God. She and her husband founded Crossroads Community Church, where husband serves as lead pastor, in 1998. Follow her blog at wandaalger.me.