Bible Study Verse
Isaiah 29:15
Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?" (NIV)
Thoughts
"Coon hunters do it in the dark!" This saying was on a T-shirt I once observed. Those who hunt raccoons at night with dogs do so because their quarry is nocturnal.
Darkness is also utilized by waterfowl hunters to put out decoys and ready their sets in order to decoy and call in ducks and geese.
Turkey hunters use a "hoot owl" locator call in the late evenings or mornings to find out where the birds are roosted. Once located, they can set up on that big gobbler in the early morning.
Deer hunters claim the advantage of darkness to enter that favorite stand.
Unfortunately, cheaters and criminals also use the darkness. They think that their poaching and other illegal activities are covered and hidden by it.
(Jack M)
Action Point
Darkness does not justify or excuse illegal, immoral activity. Remember that God has no limits to what He sees or hears. "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all," I John 1:5 (NIV).
"As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it," Job 4:8 (NIV).
What we think is hidden is not secret at all! Nothing is hidden from God. Even our thoughts and motives are open and bare before a God who knows and sees all. Psalm 139:1-4 reminds us, "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely," (NIV).
One of the saddest situations I know is one in which an outdoorsman sets a bad example for his own children, or for another young hunter. Let's obey the laws.
We will account to God for all we have done in this life. Let's live, knowing there is no darkness in Him, and that He can and does observe everything. Use the darkness for hunting purposes, but live as a child of the light.
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Good lights are essential to utilizing darkness effectively and safely. Take light sources with you into the field. Very small lights are available as well as those that are not visible to game. A friend of mine broke a leg hunting deer with a bow. He used his pen light to send an SOS signal to a farmer on a combine. The farmer stopped the machine, heard my friend yelling for help, and called paramedics. He was extracted from a remote location, and a very serious situation. That light may well have saved his leg and his life!
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