Dawn of a New Day

When darkness closes in and hope feels far off, where do you turn?

“The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day” (Proverbs 4:18). 

Dmitri Shostakovich felt surrounded by darkness. It was 1924. He was only 18 years old, yet he felt heaviness and uncertainty: “Sometimes I just want to shout. To cry out in terror. Doubts and problems, all this darkness suffocates me.” He was working on the finale of his First Symphony, and admitted, “It’s turning out pretty gloomy.”

In the end, this symphony became a triumph, and he was recognized as one of the twentieth century’s greatest composers. Yet, like many who lived in the Soviet Union in those days, Shostakovich constantly struggled with fear.

Christians are not immune to struggles like these. We, too, experience pressures, yet there’s a major difference: “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We can draw on the power of the Spirit and have peace and joy even in the darkest times.

As Solomon described, those who are righteous have a path that “is like the light of dawn.” Having the presence of God gives us direction and allows us to experience hope, no matter what’s going on in the world.

Everywhere we look, we see people living in darkness—overwhelmed, overworked, worried, burdened by problems. We have the joy of sharing the Good News, helping them realize that Jesus is the answer.

Today, renew your own faith in God. Celebrate the hope you have in Christ. Dedicate yourself to bringing His light to the lost.

Reflection Question: Ask God to shine His light wherever darkness has overtaken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Shostakovich really write those despairing words about his First Symphony?

Yes. In a 1924 letter written while composing the symphony’s finale‚ an 18-year-old Shostakovich described feeling suffocated by doubt‚ even as the piece—completed in 1925—went on to launch his international reputation.

What does “the path of the righteous … shines brighter and brighter” mean practically?

Proverbs 4:18 pictures growth‚ not instant perfection—a believer’s understanding and character are meant to increase gradually‚ like sunrise moving toward noon‚ in contrast to the way of the wicked‚ described in verse 19 as deep darkness.