What does "darkness was His hiding place" reveal about God's mysterious nature? Setting the Scene Psalm 18:11 — “He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him—darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.” David recounts how the LORD intervened on his behalf. The Holy Spirit inspires him to picture God descending in storm imagery: thunder, lightning, earthquake, and this striking line—“darkness was His hiding place.” --- Seeing the Darkness in Scripture • Exodus 20:21 — “Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.” • 1 Kings 8:12 — “The LORD has said that He would dwell in thick darkness.” • Psalm 97:2 — “Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” • Nahum 1:3 — “The LORD... His way is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.” These verses establish a consistent biblical pattern: God often chooses darkness or cloud as a covering when He acts in power. --- Why Would God Hide in Darkness? • Protection for Humanity – God’s glory is so intense that unshielded exposure would consume sinful people (Exodus 33:20; 1 Timothy 6:16). – Darkness serves as a merciful veil, allowing Him to draw near without destroying those He loves. • Emphasis on Holiness – The unapproachable darkness parallels the holy of holies in the tabernacle, curtained off from common view (Hebrews 9:7-8). – It reminds us that the LORD is set apart, distinct from everything He has created. • Strategic Concealment – In battle imagery, darkness covers His movements, confusing enemies while securing deliverance for His people (Psalm 18:9-14). – David experienced this personally; God’s hidden approach meant sudden rescue. • Revelation by Contrast – God often reveals light out of darkness (Genesis 1:2-3; 2 Corinthians 4:6). – When He finally speaks or shines, the brilliance stands out even more against the backdrop of gloom. --- What This Darkness Is Not • Not moral evil — “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). • Not absence of knowledge — He is omniscient; the darkness veils His glory, not His understanding. • Not arbitrary secrecy — Every concealment serves righteous purposes of protection, judgment, or redemptive timing. --- Truths About God’s Mysterious Nature • Transcendence: He is beyond human grasp; we cannot domesticate or fully map Him. • Sovereignty: He chooses the terms of His self-revelation; nothing forces His hand. • Mercy: His shielding darkness keeps frail humanity from instant judgment. • Nearness in Hiddenness: Though concealed, He is actively working for His people’s good (Psalm 139:11-12). --- Living in Light of the Hidden God 1. Approach with reverent awe, never casual familiarity. 2. Trust His unseen hand when circumstances feel dark; His canopy may be covering you. 3. Celebrate the ultimate unveiling in Christ, “the radiance of His glory” (Hebrews 1:3), while waiting for the day faith becomes sight (Revelation 22:4). --- Takeaway “Darkness was His hiding place” shows a God who is at once overwhelmingly majestic and tenderly protective. His mystery is not meant to push us away but to draw us into humble, trusting worship—resting in the truth that even His shadows are filled with steadfast love. |
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