Light vs Darkness
I love light. One of the first things I do in the morning, when the sun rises, is to open up the blinds and curtains and let all the glorious light in. On those cloudy days, when the sun doesn’t make much of an appearance, I can feel gloominess trying to push its way in.
Today’s passages give us a glimpse into the darkness of sin, but on the opposite side, the gloriousness of the Light of Life.
2 Chronicles tells the story of King Jehoram, firstborn of Jehoshaphat, who did not walk in the way of his father, but rather walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and led Judah and the people of Jersusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab did. Verse 20 says: “He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.”
Zechariah 5 gives the account of 2 visions that Zechariah received. The first about a flying scroll that acts as a curse that will go out over the whole land. The second about a measuring basket, which contained the iniquity of the people throughout the land. In it was a woman, whose name was Wickedness.
Revelation 9 tells about a light that had fallen, in actuality the antithesis of light. “I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.” (vs. 1b – 2)
Then words about light and truth, that sooth the soul and give joy and meaning to life, from the mouth of Jesus in John 8.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” (vs. 12)
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (vs. 31b – 32)
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This world does have its share of darkness as we look at the sinfulness that plagues our planet, but despite the dreariness that we feel, the ultimate truth is that Christ is always there, just waiting to envelope us in His light.
A quote from yesterday’s devotional reading in one of my books titled, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. “Come to Me with all your gaping emptiness, knowing that in Me you are complete. As you rest quietly in My Presence, My Light within you grows brighter and brighter. Facing the emptiness inside you is simply the prelude to being filled with my fullness. Therefore rejoice on those days when you drag yourself out of bed, feeling sluggish and inadequate. Tell yourself that this is the perfect day to depend on Me in childlike trust.”
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Thank you Father for being my Light when the darkness threatens to push its way into my soul. I want to rely on you in total dependence in all things and in all ways.
Amen.
Beckie (look2thehills)
Sixty-six books in a year 