Matthew 4:16 “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”
What is your greatest fear? For Timmy, it is darkness. “Mommy, Daddy, I’m scared!” Timmy bravely peeks out from his covers and calls for help. In the distance thunder crashes and lightning flashes. Shadows appear then disappear from his room. The electricity goes out, and with that, his small nightlight that sheds some light in the darkness. Dad and Mom come running. “Ouch,” groans Dad, stepping on a Lego. “Gracious,” moans Mom, stubbing her big toe on a desk leg. “We’re here, Son! We’re here. No worries,” and with that, Dad shines his flashlight into the room. “See, everything is where it belongs!” “What about under the bed?” asks Timmy. Dad shines his flashlight. “Nothing there!” “What about in the closet. Mom opens the door and Dad flashes his light in there. “Nope, nothing there! How about we just snuggle a bit, and you go back to sleep?” So they do, and Timmy does. Darkness—with its absence of light—allows so much to go wrong, from the simplicity of stepping on hidden children’s toys to evil crimes of great significance—burglaries, murders, and so much more. Unless it’s studying the beauty of God’s universe on a dark, clear night, many of us are uncomfortable in pitch darkness; it’s like being in the Oregon Caves with every source of light turned off. All are cautioned to stand still; moving without light places one at risk of falling off nearby rock shelves causing great bodily harm. Moving, e.g. living, without light in our lives is even more dangerous, for darkness—that absence of light—is life without God. This is the life that leads to feelings of hopelessness, despair, and depression. Yet God is our rescuer: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1-3 He was never about to leave us in darkness: “He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; He brings light to the deepest gloom.” Job 12:22 “I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way. I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them. Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them. “ Isaiah 42:16 Thus God guided the Israelites, stiff-necked then as we are now, out of darkness through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, on through Obed, Jesse, and David right up to the true light—that of His Son, Jesus Christ. “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. “ John 1:4-5 A light that never can be extinguished…what hope! When we read and study God’s Word, the darkness surrounding us begins to fade and we begin to see God’s truths. “The teaching of Your Word gives light, so even the simple can understand.” Psalm 119:130. As we turn our lives over to Christ in faith, accepting Him as our Savior, our paths are made clear: “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’ ” John 8:12 What is your greatest fear? Could it be those dreadful two notes, E and F, played over and over and over building extreme tension before the great white shark, Jaws, strikes? Could it be skydiving, scuba diving, spelunking, spiders, heights, claustrophobia, horror movies, or a thousand other such things? No, these are not fears to dwell upon. The greatest fear should be walking in the darkness without Christ in our lives. Let us choose never to let this be! If you’ve never done so before, now is the time to ask Jesus into your heart! Let Him become your shining light…your Savior…the living water which gives you eternal life. VERSES: 1 John 1:5-7 "This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin." John 8:12 "Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 4:14 “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. PRAYER: My dear Jesus, I live in a world that greatly needs Your light—Your truth—Your salvation. Over decades, now, You have been faithfully lighting the path before me upon which you wish me to walk. You have not only shown me the light of what is true, YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME THAT YOU ARE THE LIGHT! Each day, please give me strength, wisdom, words, and actions to demonstrate Your light to others, remembering that because I have asked You to be my Savior, I am one of Your chosen people. “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 Help me always to witness to others, especially those in my family who are dear to my heart and don’t know You, that they may walk out of the darkness into Your loving and perfect light and into an eternity with You. DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! Comments are closed.
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Author Candice Mary Thomas writes about loving God and loving people! Coming to Christ at age 32 and now in her 70's, Candice knows what a difference it makes living with or without Christ as one's personal Savior. Archives
December 2022
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