Our sinful estate is bad news, and thinking about bad news isn’t pleasant. But here’s the good news about the bad news: by remembering the horror of sin, and by reflecting on our helpless and spiritually ruined estate, we are able to celebrate the rescuing grace of God all the more. The bad news reminds us that we have no valid boast in our righteousness. Our boast must be in the cross, in all its blazing glory.

When was the last time you were in a place that was so dark you couldn’t see your hand right in front of your face? No lights of any kind, not a glow of anything?

Being in a thick darkness is a weird experience because, normally, we can turn off lights in a house and still see something. Thick darkness, however, can be disorienting. And if this darkness wasn’t something you were striving for, then any glimmer of light is welcomed, any glow that will cast an outline of your surroundings.

One thing is for sure: if you’re in deep darkness, even the sight of a candle is bright. A candle might not seem bright if you’re already in a room full of light, but darkness is a perfect backdrop for even the smallest light to shine.

Now, think of a different setting. A person lays a dark cloth on a countertop and then places a big diamond on top. Suddenly the brightness and beauty of the diamond are visible in a clearer way. The dark backdrop, in this case, causes the features of the diamond to stand out.

Whether we’re talking about a dark room or a dark cloth, they are the kind of backdrops against which light and beauty are more clearly noticed, welcomed, and appreciated. This observation is true not only for physical things but also for spiritual things. If the gospel is true, then this news ought to be known and believed by everyone. The mercy of God toward sinners should be the cause of constant joy and praise and thanksgiving.

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