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2 Samuel 22:12-13. "He made darkness around him his canopy, thick clouds, a gathering of water. Out of the brightness before him coals of fire famed forth."

 

This is part of David's song "when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul." (2 Samuel 22:1). David describes God making darkness around Him, but having brightness before Him. What does this apparent contradiction mean?

 

I think the darkness and the thick clouds are representative of God's anger. David says he called to God on the day of his distress, and God heard him, and "the earth reeled and rocked, the foundations of the heavens trembled and quaked, because he was angry." (2 Samuel 22:8). The world of nature is still in God's perfect will, even though we are not, so it perfectly responds to Him. The darkness and thick clouds David sees are nature's reaction to God's anger. They show the world that something is not right. But God Himself is light, never darkness. He may gather darkness about Him in His anger, but He Himself is unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). So God's brightness shines in the darkness as He comes to David's rescue. His vengeance appears like coals of fire coming from that light, piercing the darkness, and falling on David's enemies, who remain in the darkness.

 

When we find the world to be in darkness and thick clouds, as it is now, it is good to see that as a sign of God's displeasure. But we should never think that the darkness will prevail, or is even very strong. It is just a sign, something meant to alert and hopefully wake up the world. Behind it, always, is our God dwelling in unapproachable, undimmable light, and insuppressible love.