May the darkness of night deepen and dazzle

Not exactly what I think of when I think of the darkness of night. Over the years, it’s been cursing the darkness as a fearful child or as an adult seeing darkness as only the absence of light (an annoyance as I think of all I didn’t get done today). What a different thought to go off to sleep with: that tonight I may be deepened and dazzled. Cotter’s poetic imaging creates for me a new response to the night. He takes the oft used verse from the psalmist, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24), and makes it into a night made by God. Let us be deepened and dazzled in it. Now I can praise God for the night as well as the day. That’s pretty great! The light of the world still shines through the darkness, deepening and dazzling.

This blessing lacks only one word: Amen.

Offered by Bill Albritton, teacher of the gospel.

Friend and Lover, bless us and keep us; Light of the world, shine on our faces; Transfigured Yeshua, lift us to glory. May the darkness of night deepen and dazzle.
Prayer at Night’s Approaching,

Jim Cotter (Morehouse Publishing, 1998)