Today we are going to continue our look at 1 John 2: 1-17 and we are going to go deeper with the World of the Text of verses 7-17. This letter really does remind me a lot of the Gospel … Continue reading
Over the next few weeks in our Rooted in Christ Study, we’ll be looking at some of the favorite passages from our staff at St. Matthew’s UMC. These are some of the parts of the Bible to mean to most … Continue reading
Today’s reading is Romans 13: 11-14 Light and darkness are always big Biblical themes. We see it in creation. We see it in the Gospels, especially in John. We see these themes all across scripture. Today we see choices for how … Continue reading
Feels dark sometimes, doesn’t it? Feels like there is darkness in the world, darkness in ourselves, darkness all over. In the news, in our communities, all over. It just feels dark sometimes.
Every morning I read and reflect from the Morning Office, which gives a listing of an Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel Lesson (or reading) for the day. Between those passages, you can read other acts of worship or readings of scripture. And one of those daily readings is from Isaiah. And that reading jumped out to me today. It’s from Isaiah 60: 1-3:
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Arise. Shine. Light has come. Darkness covers the earth, thick darkness over the people.
Yeah, that’s how it feels sometimes, huh? Dark. Thick darkness. A hopeless darkness. Things are bad and they aren’t getting better. Yeah, we feel that sometimes.
So that’s why I think it’s cool that every day, there is this reading. Every day, we are reminded that light has come. Every day we are reminded that as dark as the darkness is, the light is brighter. The light is stronger. The light is more powerful.
The light is stronger than the dark. In our world. In our souls. In all that is happening.
Don’t given into the lie that darkness wins or is great than the light. It is is not. Light has come. Light wins. Light brings hope, peace, power, and light.
Feel the light today. I think of the words of Psalm 139:12:
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
That is true, because even in the darkness, God is there, we can’t flee from His presence. And if He is there, then the darkness will be driven out. Hope hope today. God is good. Trust in Him. Cling to light. And know that no matter how dark it seems, His light has come.
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