Delivered From the Power of Darkness

Delivered From the Power of Darkness

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love . . . .” Col. 1:13.

God be praised that there is full deliverance in Jesus Christ from the sinister power of darkness. Yet despite the fact that this abundant salvation is available to everyone, only a few make use of it. The power of darkness grips a person and weighs him down with discouragement and fear because of anxiety and cares about his livelihood. Only a few are truly set free and delivered in their spirit, and are happy.

However, Christ can deliver us from the power of Satan and translate us into His blessed kingdom. Then we are clothed with the full armor, and, in the power of God, we can beat back every attack by the forces of darkness, using the weapons of light and quenching all the fiery darts of the evil one. Eph. 6:10-17.

Many people go around for years and suffer day and night with such fiery darts in their hearts. Because they feel sorry for themselves, they even blow on this fire, gaining enjoyment from letting their thoughts circle around this one thing. The fruit of all this is depression, and many such people end up in mental institutions.

However, none of the darts of the evil one should cause us any harm. They are all quenched by “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” V. 18.

A person is always unhappy when his thoughts circle around himself. But when his mind and thoughts are busy with prayer for all the saints—even praying from the heart for his enemies—the darkness will vanish. “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’” Isa. 58:8-9.

It is marvelous to be delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. The Prince of this kingdom, Jesus Christ, does only good to His subjects. But Satan, who is the prince of darkness, has come to steal, to kill, and to destroy. John 10:10. He destroys homes and the happiness of nations, and he brings war, strife, and a curse. He leads people into the deepest darkness and despair, into need, poverty, fear, and tribulations of all kinds. After he has ruined and corrupted their souls, he rewards them with eternal torment. However, even then people are so blinded that almost all of them serve this prince of darkness with all faithfulness and obedience until their death.

However, Christ rewards His own people with eternal life and glory, and there will be neither tears, crying, sorrow, nor pain. Rev. 21:4. Then joy and peace will have been perfected for all eternity.

There is an abundance of everything that is good in the kingdom of Christ into which we have been translated. Just read 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

As we can see, not a single citizen of the kingdom of God is poor in his ability to do good. They can sow blessings abundantly and reap sixty and a hundredfold again. We can be sure, if we meet people who whine and complain that they lack something in this world, that they are far from God-fearing.

The church in Smyrna received this blessed testimony that they were poor, but yet they were rich. Though they had little of the goods of this world, they rejoiced greatly, because tremendous riches were safely kept for them in heaven. It is best to have as little as possible here on earth, where moths, rust, bombs, and fire destroy. They were rich in love, mercy, thankfulness, peace, joy—and certainly also in hospitality and generosity. They had the same mind as those in the churches of Macedonia. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. This is truly a blessed attitude of mind, and they are a shining example to all of us. They gave themselves first to the Lord, thus giving everything else. It doesn’t help if we give away a few pennies of what we have, or do a few good deeds, if we have not given of ourselves. Christ wants to have us as His complete possession, and from that moment on we cannot say that anything is our own. We cast everything into the brook of blessings, from whence flow streams of refreshment and blessings into those areas that are poor and dry. However, if the brook stops flowing in one place or another, it is because a dam is being built across it farther upstream, and it is regulated so it flows to other places instead. But if we are faithful, there will always be streams of living water flowing to us, and then flowing from us to give life and be a blessing for many.

You say, “I am dry and am not aware of God’s blessing.” This is because you are more inclined to receive than to give. “Lay your gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. Yes, the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver . . . .” Job 22:24-25. Cast yourself into the streams of blessing with your entire being—with all your abilities, all your strength, and everything that is at your disposal. Then you will also experience that God is sufficiently rich for all those who seek Him in spirit and in truth.

When we come into fellowship with the Father of lights, from whom come all good and perfect gifts, we will always have something to give, and something with which we can serve. Therefore we can always be blessed, because it is more blessed to give than to receive.