There are treasures made in darkness, precious gems created under pressure while hidden away, yet darkness must have its limits.
Every 24 hours includes a portion of darkness. The Greek word for darkness actually means the absence of light. But how do we dispel the darkness?
Physical darkness is eradicated even with a minor source of light. A match lit and held close to a wall displays only a shadow for the match stick but not the flame. No darkness can overtake the light. It has to hide. The power of light is a physical law God has ordained. Light shines brightest in the dark.
Emotional darkness can be the result of a lost connection with others. Yet, just as we cannot love in a vacuum, joy is experienced and multiplied in relationships.
Our greatest need is to be known, and in small group settings, we can share intimate thoughts, celebrate victories, and share pain.
However, our primary connection must be first with God. He loves us as a gracious Heavenly Father, personally interested and invested in every area of our lives.
God knew all about you before He knit you together in your mother’s womb.
He joyously created you in darkness, anticipating the day He would introduce you to His beautiful world.
Yet this world – both people made in God’s image and all creation – has been tainted by spiritual darkness, impacted by sin.
Sin is the mindful choice to refuse what is good and pursue options that do not edify yet tear down and separate what God has created and named as good. As a result, the impact of sinful choices breaks our connection with God and our relationship with others.
Despite this hopeless entanglement of blinding darkness, God provided a lasting solution. Even though we were enemies of God by choosing to offend Him with our sin, He sent His Son Jesus to move into the neighborhood and show us The Father, Who has loved us with an everlasting love.
God saw us stumbling in the dark and, in His mercy and great compassion, sent Jesus,
The Light of the world, to rescue us.
The prophet Isaiah tells us people living in darkness have seen a great light:
“2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:2-7
This light restores our brokenness,
dispels the darkness and
illuminates our way in this life.
This Eternal Light points us towards heaven,
the true home for everyone who believes in The Saviour Jesus, Who saves us from sin and releases us from eternal darkness.
Have you considered Jesus for yourself?
When we are drowning, we cannot rescue ourselves.
Call upon the Saviour of the World,
Ask Him to be your Saviour,
And experience His power~filled light forever!
#BingeJesus#GetUsedToDifferent
Gleanings From Heaven's Gate 