"Truly the light is sweet,...Yet let a man remember the days of darkness." God's people rejoice to see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ wherein we have "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). Yes, we do!
Oh, but it does us good to "remember the days of darkness." I do remember that wretched man who was "without Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12). Do you remember?
Without Christ, without God! Can you say that without great emotion? Oh, what if the Lord had left us alone? Paul said, "Wherefore remember" (Eph. 2:11). How my heart shakes at the remembrance! Hell took hold of me, and the cry came from inmost depths, "God be merciful to me, a sinner" (Lk. 18:13). Then the command came, "For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light" (2 Cor. 4:6). What almighty grace!
Yes, I do remember the days of darkness. This is why "truly the Light is sweet." No wonder we "show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:9). We didn't call Him; He called us!
So "if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; let him remember the days of darkness."