Living In God's Perpetual Light

"Today's Devotion" For July 13, 2005

Read: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 36

LIVING IN GOD'S PERPETUAL LIGHT

"The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives its light, and the Lamb is its lamp." (Rev. 21:23)

Some years ago I had the opportunity to spend some time serving as a chaplain to Navy and civilian personnel on Amchitka Island, one of the islands of the Aleutian Chain of Alaska. I was there in August and the days were already quite long, with the sun not going down until well after 10pm. When I commented on this phenomenon which is relatively unknown from personal experience for the vast majority of people, at least in the United States, one man, who worked for a civilian contractor, and rotated back and forth to the island every few months, told me that no one truly experiences the reality of a long day until they experience daylight for 24 hours a day. He noted that it can be both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time, pointing out that those who weren't used to it often found it hard to adjust and get proper sleep. On the other hand, he noted, when the time comes in that "neck of the woods" for the day to turn to a long night, the lack of sunshine and light can be even more disconcerting.

The reality of life in this world is living with and in Sin. Scripture constantly reminds us that Sin is darkness, enslaving people in their hearts and minds to disobedience to God, and hiding the light of God's grace and mercy in Jesus Christ from everyone. The power of Sin in the lives of people all over the world is like a gigantic blackout, as occurred in New York City and neighboring areas a few years ago. For awhile everything is novel and "exciting" until the blackout extends for hours and days. Unless there's an additional power source, such as a portable generator or a "fail safe" back up power grid, the reality is that food will spoil, the patience of people will start to crack, crime will increase, city, county, and state services will be stretched, and, depending on the time of the year, people will either swelter in the heat or shiver in the cold for lack of power for air conditioning or heat.

Sin's allure can be exciting and exhilarating for awhile. Disobedience is frequently "fun," providing we don't get caught. The temptations of the sinful world we live in are myriad and enticing. Sex, drugs, alcohol, and all their attendant vices seem "pleasing to the eye" (Gen. 3:6) in the beginning; it's only later that their consequences for life are realized, and it's often too late for anyone to do anything about them. The reality of the darkness of Sin in the world is that it kills. It can only lead to destruction and death, both physically and spiritually forever. It's a darkness that can't be overcome by us, but it is a darkness that is overcome by Jesus.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has brought us the light of God's grace through His suffering, death, and resurrection. He has overcome the darkness of Sin, removing its burden from our hearts and lives, freeing our spirits to live in His light and receive God's forgiveness every day. By the power of the Holy Spirit, working through God's Word, we have a "generator" that outshines the darkness of Sin and give us light in the midst of darkness. Isaiah reminded Israel that God's light would shine in and through them so that the world might receive that light as well. In Revelation, John receives the marvelous picture of the "new Jerusalem" which is lighted by the glory of God burning through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. We are given this marvelous picture so that we can have hope and find peace in the midst of the chaos of this world and the darkness of Sin that rests upon it. In the light of Christ's love we are also "powered up" so that we can give "light" to the world around us so they can see the Way out of the spiritual darkness in which they live. We're reminded of this by our Lord Jesus Christ when He said, "Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Mt. 5:16).

Prayer: Father, help me to keep the light of Your grace in Jesus before me at all times and all circumstances of life. Guide me in my life of faith that I might be a faithful purveyor of Your "light" in Christ to those I meet everyday. Lead me to "let my light shine" so that others might see Jesus in me and be led to understand Your love as it's lived out in my life. Keep me safe in Your arms so that I might never succumb to the darkness of Sin. Pull me back to You when I wander into the darkness that I might feel the fullness of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness once again. Living in Your light of grace in Christ Jesus, I ask You to hear my prayer and make me a faithful witness to the true "Light of the world," in Whose precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.