Friday, December 9, 2022 - FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Day 343 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 8:1-22; Psalm 131; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11) 

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT 

“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.” (Isaiah 9:2 ESV) 

When Christmas comes, we will be celebrating the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophetic words. Because humanity is struggling in our spiritual darkness, God the Father sent  Jesus to be the Light of the world. Jesus lived a sinless life, died an innocent death, and rose in triumph from the grave for sinners like you and me, allowing us to see the light, His light.

It is a tragic fact that there are so many today who continue to walk in spiritual darkness. So many have no idea why Jesus came to this earth. They have no idea of what Jesus has to offer them... 

- peace

- forgiveness of their sins

- reconciliation with God the Father

- guarantee of eternity in heaven

- true love (God’s love) that changes EVERYTHING!

Perhaps you know someone like that. They may even be close to you, a relative, a coworker, a neighbor. If so...

- pray for them 

(Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me. 

  And may I humbly do my part to win that soul for Thee. Amen.)

- model Christ’s love to / for them

- share God’s plan of salvation with them (Jesus died and rose for them)

- invite them to your house

- invite them to God’s house

       

  O little town of Bethlehem, 

  How still we see thee lie!  

  Above thy deep and dreamless sleep 

  The silent stars go by; 

  Yet in thy darkness shineth 

  The everlasting Light; 

  The hopes and fears of all the years 

  Are met in thee tonight. 

("O Little Town of Bethlehem," Lutheran Service Book, CPH, #361)

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be the Light that this sin-darkened worlds needs so desperately. May He continue to shine on me and through me for the rest of my life. Amen.

Pastor David Paape