Verse of the Day: Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.—Proverbs 4:23
Memory of the Month: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Today's reading: EXODUS 12-13 MATTHEW 16
Rescue From Darkness
My oldest son was in his 'terrible-twos'. He was just curious and mischievous and was always very busy. We had built a new gym at the church where I worked and in that gym was an elevator. After church on a Sunday evening as we stood downstairs talking before going home, I heard the blood-curdling scream of my child. It was coming from somewhere in the dark gymnasium and was at some distance.
While we were all laughing and talking, my boy had pushed the elevator button, stepped in, and pushed the up button. The elevator took him to the second floor and he had stepped out into the darkness-the door closed behind him. We were just feet around the corner but had lost contact for just a minute. We found him and got him back into the light but he was frightened beyond consoling for a minute or two.
There is no way to explain what we felt. But, what about the feelings of a small child in the total darkness of a huge void-what did he feel like?
Psalm 107:10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains,
(This is all of us before Christ-in darkness, affliction and pain.}
John 12:46 (Jesus said,) "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."
How does God feel as he hears us lost in the darkness. He is our Father and so has done everything He can to get us out of the darkness. First came John the Baptist.
Zechariah, the father of John the baptist, said, "to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”Luke 1:79
Then Jesus said, Matthew 4:16
the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned."
Acts 10:36
He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
All of us who have raised children or are raising them now have had a similar feeling that I described. Some do not have children-but- our love for our neighbors is to be no less. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, and I think, as much as we love our children. I cannot see it any other way.
Some of them may be busy enough to push the wrong button and keep stepping into the void of darkness. We may not be able to hear their cries aloud but they cry out all the same. Some are leaders and big people in the country or community but they cry out all the same. God hears their cries. His love in our lives means that we either hear their cries or we ignore them. It is for these we must have unconditional love and forgiveness so we can see past their sin-we must live above judgment-to reach out to them with the truth of Christ.
But what about those who are already in the body of Christ? Do we ever push the wrong buttons and step into darkness? Yes, we do. This is why it is so important for all of us believers to stay in God's word and grow and learn.
We must cling to God's righteousness and carry peace and love with us to those who step back into the dark.
The passages cited earlier have a common theme-great light and peace. If I could 'leave' anything to my own children, it would be a reality of living in God's peace as they live in the light.
What about the rest? My love should be God's love toward them all. My heart must break for them to walk in the light and peace of the Lord as much as I desire that for my own children. Truthfully, I have not reached that point yet, but, I press on.
Paul said, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
There is always loving to do. There is always a heart that is crying from the darkness that needs a word or deed in love from God's heart-and you and I have that.
No matter how far down you may get, there is someone lower who needs a touch or word in love from you. There is someone who will step back into the light as you obey God and love them. There is someone who has never known the light who will notice the peace and grace of the Lord in your heart and reach for it. Be ready.
1 Peter 3:15 ►But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Philippians 4:5 ►Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Peace, light, gentleness-this is in God's heart. He has done all so we will walk in the light and be His hands and feet.
In Luke 24:39, Jesus said to his disciples, "Look at my hands and feet..."
Believe it or not, we are His hands and feet in this world-hands and feet that lead folks to the light.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for feeling sorry for myself. Shine through me to those in darkness.
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