"When we are born we're afraid of the darkness, and then we're afraid of the light" -Aerosmith-
How true is that statement? As a child, I remember going to Natural Bridge Caverns outside San Antonio. What I hated the most was the moment they would shut the lights off throughout the cavern. I knew it was coming every time, they even counted down and prepped you for it. However, as soon as those lights shut off, it was as if I was all alone, swallowed by darkness. So what did I do? I reached backward to ensure my mother was still standing there and didn't disappear. As a child, things lived in the dark. Monsters like the Cucui (boogeyman), ghosts, chucky, freddy (yes I watched horror movies as a child when I shouldn't have- I blame my sister ha ha). Now, as an adult, I know nothing will come out of the darkness and eat me. I still have trouble letting my feet dangle from the bed at night but you have to understand how scary the CuCui really is. Okay so humor aside, something transforms in us as we transition into adult hood. At some point, our innocence becomes lost. We look forward to being scared- hence the love of horror movies, and haunted houses. We look forward to misbehaving, and when our behavior is called to light, we scatter. Like roaches when the light turns on we run and hide, afraid someone might see who we really are and what we are really like.
Darkness as black as night will cover all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the LORD will shine over you. Isaiah 60:2
The prophet Isaiah spoke of a spiritual darkness, covering all the nations and people of the earth. It is here in this darkness that we fumble around, trying to make some sense of our existence, deciding what is good is bad, and what is bad is good. However, we have hope. The savior God promised, the "light of the world"
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
The truth is, darkness can not hide us from God. He knows us inside and out, he remembers us when we were still dust according to the Psalms.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:11 - 12
In my sin, I would love to run and hide, to keep this secret from my God. However, darkness is as light. The only thing that hides my shame and sin from the eyes of the Father is the blood of the Son. Christ is the reason I stand before my God with confidence, even when I know I should cower and run. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. Hebrews 4:6.
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome. Ephesians 3:12.
Once again I recommend this prayer as I too pray for myself and others.
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:12-14
Showing posts with label Light. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Light. Show all posts
Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
You, light up my life....
I know there wasn't a post yesterday, the study I am doing apparently has 2 day rests. Weekend maybe? Not sure. Well as stated earlier, I am doing a study on the names of God. Specifically, this study is on the names of Christ.
NAMES:
IMMANUEL- God with us.
This Week: "Light of the World"
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:3 - 9
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
As I think of this concept, I think about the times I have gone to candle light services on Christmas Eve. It is symbolic of the "light" coming into the world through the birth of Jesus. The room starts of completely dark, almost pitch black. Then, a single candle is lit. It is amazing how much darkness is pushed back from just the light of a single candlestick. The light however does not stop there, it begins to spread from candlestick to candlestick until all are lit. The room becomes a glow with a multitude of candles.
You are the light of the world -- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16
When Christ came into the world, he came to pierce the darkness, not only in the world, but in our hearts. Because of this, we too become light. We shine the light of God for others to see. As the "light" works in our hearts, certain things come to light, things I often wish would stay hidden. I never enjoy looking back at my secret sins, and hidden shame. However, they must be brought to light so that Christ can redeem me, so that I can be made whole. I was reading in Psalms 19 today and I decided that the prayer of David is a prayer I should pray every day. I encourage others to do the same.
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:12-14
AMEN!
NAMES:
IMMANUEL- God with us.
This Week: "Light of the World"
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:3 - 9
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
As I think of this concept, I think about the times I have gone to candle light services on Christmas Eve. It is symbolic of the "light" coming into the world through the birth of Jesus. The room starts of completely dark, almost pitch black. Then, a single candle is lit. It is amazing how much darkness is pushed back from just the light of a single candlestick. The light however does not stop there, it begins to spread from candlestick to candlestick until all are lit. The room becomes a glow with a multitude of candles.
You are the light of the world -- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16
When Christ came into the world, he came to pierce the darkness, not only in the world, but in our hearts. Because of this, we too become light. We shine the light of God for others to see. As the "light" works in our hearts, certain things come to light, things I often wish would stay hidden. I never enjoy looking back at my secret sins, and hidden shame. However, they must be brought to light so that Christ can redeem me, so that I can be made whole. I was reading in Psalms 19 today and I decided that the prayer of David is a prayer I should pray every day. I encourage others to do the same.
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:12-14
AMEN!
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