And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend[a] it. John 1:5 NKJV
The little [a] in this verse, refers us to a footnote where we see that the word “comprehend” could also have been translated, “overcome.”
Jesse and I were delighted that the Lord gave us a devotional centered around this Scripture this past weekend when we realized He was capitalizing on this time which the world focuses on the Superbowl to speak to us through some football terminology in order to make a powerful point!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darkness Cannot Overcome the Light!
I know of no great Christian leader who hasn’t faced some kind of opposition as he or she sought to do God’s will. But the truth is that darkness does not have the power to overcome light! Every believer can overcome ANY attack if he or she won’t quit first!
John 1:5 says, “And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehends it not.” The word “comprehends” is the Greek word katalambano. It is a compound of the words kata and lambano. … When the two words are compounded, they mean to seize, to pull down, to TACKLE, to conquer, or to hold under one’s power. Therefore, this verse could be translated, “Darkness does not have the ability to suppress or to hold the light under its domain.”
This doesn’t mean that darkness won’t attempt to overcome the light. However, its efforts will be frustrated and unsuccessful because the light of God always prevails, even in what seems to be the darkest hour or the bleakest situation. Darkness simply doesn’t have the power or ability to put out God’s light. Since you are child of the light (Ephesians 5:8), this means darkness doesn’t have the ability to put out your light either!
First John 5:4 says, “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” The word “overcomes” is the Greek word nikos. It means to conquer. It was used to portray athletes who had gained the mastery of the competition and ultimately reigned supreme as champions over the games. The Holy Spirit was careful in His selection of this word nikos. This word communicates vivid images that pertain to our walk of faith and victory.
First, it tells us that when we begin the walk of faith, we enter into a real-life competition. The decision to walk by faith puts us right smack dab in the center of the ring where the contest immediately begins. This is so important to 
understand, because too often we wrongly presume that if we walk by faith, we will be removed from all problems. But our faith pits us directly opposite the devils’ powers. He hates our faith because he knows what it can do! For this reason, Satan may try to go for a knock-out punch. But even if he knocks us flat, he can’t keep us down on the ground! The apostle Paul testified to this when he said that he was “…cast down, but not destroyed“ (II Cor 4:9). … Those who are born of God have the supernatural ability to keep getting up again…. Remember, John wrote, “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world….”
Because the word “overcomes” is the Greek word nikos, it tells us that we are the ultimate champions and describes our superior position as children of God over the world. We are fully armed with everything we need to be super-conquerors in this life! … Regardless of what weapon Satan uses or how he attempts to combat you and me, I John 5:4 declares that we have a faith that overcomes the world! This means we have a faith that overrides and supercedes any organization, any event, any circumstance, or any difficult dilemma Satan would try to employ against us. He may be the “god of this world” (II Cor 4:4), but we have a weapon so powerful that we can shoot him down every time he shows up uninvited.
John 1:5 makes it absolutely clear that darkness does not have the ability to suppress or to hold the light under its domain. Darkness may try to prevent the light from shining, but it never holds back the light permanently. Eventually it always comes shining through. This is true of you and your dream, vision, or calling as well. You may feel hindered from time to time in your attempts to fulfill the call God has given you, but don’t despair. Those hindrances won’t last long. The only way the devil can steal your dream, vision, or calling is if you surrender to him first! If you hold on and refuse to give up, your faith will overcome every encumbrance the devil tries to set in your path!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, I thank You that darkness doesn’t have the power to overcome me! It may try, but Your Word guarantees that darkness doesn’t have the ability to overcome the light! I am so thankful that I am Your child and that I LIVE ON THE WINNING SIDE! When the devil tries to discourage me, help me remember that in the end, WE WIN! I pray this in Jesus’ name!
© Rick Renner, Sparkling Gems from the Greek
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So regardless of whether your team won or lost in yesterday’s Superbowl, remember that in God’s Superbowl Champio
nship, we who are in Christ are on the winning team! The darkness does not have the power to TACKLE us and hold us down if we are walking in the Light with the Lord and remaining full of Him. Through the power of Christ in us, we who are born of God are destined to gain mastery over whatever comes against us and reign supreme as conquerors and champions!
Praying for us all to this end!
© Laura Jewell Tyree
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1-3
For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; the Lord my God illumines my darkness. For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him. Psalm 18:28-30 (see whole Psalm)
The Lord is my Light and my Salvation—whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident. Psalm 27:1-3 (see whole Psalm)
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your Light do we see light. (Psalm 36:9)
Your testimonies are wonderful [far exceeding anything conceived by man]; therefore my [penitent] self keeps them [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple. I opened my mouth and panted [with eager desire], for I longed for Your commandments. Psalm 119:129-131
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O my enemy! When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me. Micah 7:7-8
Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life. John 8:12
And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way]. [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents]. But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. I John 1:5-7
For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. And try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. Ephesians 5:8-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. I Peter 2:9
