It is a new year, and a new day. It is a time of new beginnings, and so I turn to the beginning, Genesis 1, to share some insights with you:

“…and God divided the light from the darkness.” Gen 1:4

Throughout the earth, a separation is occurring. Have you noticed? Things are shifting. Politics is becoming more polarized. Racial tensions are on the rise. Religions radicalized. Evil is becoming more heinous. Righteousness is ridiculed and met with intolerance at every turn. Even creation itself is reeling, groaning like a woman in travail awaiting to deliver and be delivered (see Romans 8:18-22). As it was on the first day, so shall it be on the last; God is dividing the light from the darkness.

Satan is evil, and his wickedness cannot be restrained much longer. Although it is clearly a futile fight, so great is his self-deception that he actually believes he might win. Emboldened, he is increasingly aggressive and vicious. As it was during the time of the crucifixion, his wickedness will blind him to the point that he will play right into the hands of God. His schemes are destined to become a part of God’s triumphant plan.

Of course none of this has caught God off guard; neither should we be. This is an expected part of the landscape in the days we are living in, even as was prophesied. While there are many battles to be fought in this war to end all wars, I want to take a minute to speak to just one. It is the battle of the Family.

You see, the Devil has the institution of the Family in his crosshairs. Everything about the family has come under intense bombardments. From skyrocketing divorce rates, to absent fathers, to teenage pregnancies…why, even the very definition of the family has come out of the trenches with its hands up. When I was young, a popular storybook called “Are You My Mother” told of a baby bird which hatched while its mom was away catching a worm to feed to it. Anxiously the bird asked a dog, a cat, a cow, and even a steam shovel if any was his mother. Little did I know that this question would be fretfully asked in our time every day, but not by little birds anymore.

The result of the separation, and ensuing confusion? Multitudes of people have been bloodied with an irreparable wound. And although some will surrender to the new definitions, and capitulate to and accept new “norms”, still others will grow increasingly wearied by all this newness. They will refuse to accept the dog or the cow, and keep searching, all the time saying in their hearts “something’s not right here!” To these:

“The Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings” Mal 4:2

This chapter, the last in the entire Old Testament leading down to the very last verse, reminds us that just when things seem most desperate, God has prepared the means of full recovery. In the midst of this separation, two distinct outcomes are foretold. He says “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” something will happen.

First note that this is both a great day, and a dreadful day. You might be thinking, how can this be? Well, it is great for some, but dreadful for others, which of course is determined by which side we go to during the division of light from darkness. For those who choose light, something completely sovereign and miraculous is going to take place. The little bird will hatch, and go looking for its father. And the father bird will suddenly be consumed with such love for that little bird that every pursuit will be left behind in order to return to the side of his chirping offspring. For the chapter continues, and concludes with these powerful words:

“And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” Mal 4:5-6

Beloved, if you have not discovered it yet, let me tell you a piece of VERY GOOD NEWS. Satan’s attack on the family is being met by an even greater counterattack. The enemy’s conventional weapons will pale before the arsenal of God’s nuclear force. Hearts are being turned by the same power that conquered the grave. And the Sun of Righteousness is arising to heal all those who were once considered DOA. So beloved, let us not underestimate the greatness of God in these things and grow discouraged. When God arises, His enemies still scatter (PS 68:1).

There was a time when the darkness came in hues of grey. But as darkness gives way to gross darkness, some will awaken and flee towards the Light. We must be ready! This too was foretold, signaling the beginning of the greatest harvest the world has ever known. Those desperate for healing will then come to the Light, the Sun, the only way to be healed in body, mind, or heart—through His blood and mercy. When all hope seems lost, He will arise. And when He does, we will witness the Church’s finest hour.

“For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
and deep (gross) darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory shall be seen upon you.
The nations shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.”
IS 60:2-3