In Dark Times, Choose His Presence
When Fear Sneaks In
With everything that has recently been in the news, I have felt fear trying to sneak its way into my heart. I found my focus shifting from trusting a faithful God to worrying about what is or could happen.
First, I want to remind believers that if you read the Bible, there is nothing new under the sun. The same sin that infected those who lived for the world—and the sin that riddles Scripture—is the same sin we see today.
My Thoughts Matter
However, as I read the headlines, I found myself slipping into fear. I had to intentionally remind myself of what God’s Word says about my thoughts and about who I am in Him.
My thoughts matter. I think we often believe we do not have control over our thoughts. Yet neuroplasticity has revealed that we can actually change our thoughts and neuropathways, rewiring negative thinking into healthier patterns.
Throughout Scripture, we are told to “…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Paul writes to the Philippians:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
These Scriptures remind us that it is important not only to pay attention to what we are thinking about, but also to intentionally focus on what is good and true.
So how am I supposed to think, feel, and act when I read or hear of such atrocities?
A Lesson from the Wilderness
This week in my Scripture reading, I have been following the Israelites through the desert of Sinai. This ragtag group consistently revealed their character and lack of trust in God. When Moses led them into the wilderness, they quickly forgot all God had done through miracles to release them from slavery in Egypt. They even told Moses they would be better off going back.
In chapter 32, one year into their stay in Sinai, Moses goes up the mountain and is gone for forty days and nights. When he does not return quickly enough, the people decide to make their own god to go before them. Believing something has happened to Moses, Aaron—his brother and the priest of Israel—takes their gold jewelry and fashions a golden calf for them to worship in place of Yahweh. Aaron makes sacrifices and holds a festival to this man-made god.
God instructs Moses to go down the mountain because the people have become corrupt. They are worshiping an idol and bowing down to it. God knows exactly what is happening, and His anger burns against the short-sighted Israelites.
Moses seeks God’s favor. He reminds God of the promises He made to Abraham concerning his descendants and the Promised Land. When Moses arrives at the camp and sees their blatant disobedience, he is filled with righteous anger. He smashes the tablets containing the commandments. He burns the golden calf to dust and makes the Israelites drink it. Aaron had allowed and assisted their defiance, permitting their chaos to be displayed before their enemies.
This story is heavy. The rebellion had escalated so far that Moses called those who were still with the Lord, specifically the tribe of Levi, to take up a sword against those continuing in idolatry.
The Presence of God Above All
In the following chapter, God tells Moses to lead the remaining people toward the Promised Land, but He says, “Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you” (Exodus 33:3, NIV).
The promise was still available, but His presence was not.
The Israelites mourned and removed their ornaments. Moses, however, goes to the Tent of Meeting to meet face-to-face with God. The people grieved, and Moses pursued intimacy with God.
He asks God to teach him His ways so that he may find favor with Him. God responded by assuring Moses that His Presence would go with him and that He would give him rest. But Moses did not stop there; he boldly interceded for the people:
Then Moses said to him:
“If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name,” (Exodus 33:15-17, NIV).
God heard Moses’ intercession and request, and His presence went with the Israelites to the Promised Land. God’s presence distinguished the Israelites from all the other surrounding nations.
So, in light of everything that is happening or has been revealed recently, how should we as Christians respond? First, take your thoughts captive. Do not allow fear and anxiety grip you. Second, responses to idolatry and injustice should be as follows:
Key Responses to Fear and Anxiety:
Replace fearful thoughts/anxiety: Sometimes anxiety and fear need to be addressed by a professional; however, if you are dealing with fear/anxiety due to current events, I would recommend finding a biblical truth or scripture to focus on and memorize when either fear or anxiety is monopolizing your thoughts.
Practically, stop listening to the news: I realized listening to the news for me and social media clips of news was too overwhelming. I choose to read the news. Somehow, choosing what I would like to know more about sensors, unnecessary information that contributed to fear. I am still informed but not overwhelmed.
Key Responses to Idolatry (Exodus 32):
Decisive Removal: Just as Moses destroyed the golden calf, believers must identify and destroy modern idols—anything (money, power, reputation) placed above God within their own lives.
Accountability: Confront idolatry, even when led by leaders (like Aaron), as it constitutes a breaking of God’s covenant and leads to severe consequences.
Key Responses to Injustice (Exodus 32-33)
Intercession: Act as a mediator like Moses, standing between God's deserved judgment and the sinful people, pleading for mercy based on God's character. Pray for those who have been victimized in these injustices.
Repentance & Mourning: Move from "lightness" to mourning, reflecting a genuine understanding of the gravity of sin.
Prioritize God's Presence: In Exodus 33, Moses refuses to move forward without God’s presence, prioritizing intimacy with God over receiving blessings (like the Promised Land) without Him. Seek God, the Word of God, and godly community.
Stewardship level: pray about partnering with finances, volunteering, or awareness with organizations that prevent injustices like human trafficking, such as the A21 campaign or Project Rescue. I would look for organizations or missions that not only meet a physical/emotional need but also present the Gospel.
Be light in this dark world.