Life Journal July 30, 2007
Today's readings: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

True Light

Topic: Jesus

Scripture

"Arise Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is shining upon you. Darkness as black as night will cover all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine over you. All nations will come to your light.

Mighty kings will come to see your radiance....

"No longer will you need the sun or moon to give you light, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and he will be your glory.The sun will never set; the moon will not go down.

For the Lord will be your everlasting light."

Isaiah 60.1-3,19-20 (NLT)

"Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.

The light shines through the darkness,

and the darkness can never extinguish it.

"God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world."

John 1.4-9 (NLT)

Observation

God sent His Son, Jesus, to light the way that leads to Him.

Application

One only has to read the newspaper or listen to the news to realize how dark the world truly is. 1 Peter 5.8 tells us that "...the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour." In other words, the enemy walks on this earth, bringing with him death and destruction and darkness. It is a scarey place to be--if you are alone without the Light.

I know what it is like to walk in the darkness--the sense of hopelessness and the endless darkness that comes with it. It is a very scarey place to be. I know what it is to be lost in the world's darkness--but I also know what it is to find the Light!

God wants us to walk in the light with Him--that is why He sent His Son, Jesus. He is the Light that leads to the Father of Lights! When we reach out to Jesus, He lights the path that leads to God.

I am so thankful for God's promise--"The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."

The Light is always there for us--we only need to step into it!

Prayer

Father God, thank You for the Light of Jesus Christ. Thank You that He lights the path that leads to You! Thank You that even when I might stray from the path, the Light can always lead me back to Your path. May Your Light shine brightly in my life. In Jesus name, our Savior, Redeemer and Friend, we pray this, Amen.