For hundreds of years the people prayed for a deliverer. They continued after God brought them out of Egypt and eventually ended up under Roman occupation.
Some scoff at Jesus's first coming to the world as Messiah, Kinsman-Redeemer, Deliverer. Others sit in darkness wondering if anything but the sun's light and lights artificial are all we have in this life.
I've always been moved by the many verses in the Bible that speak about light. Illumination is at times hard to come by but of course is when light shines brightest -even if only a flicker. Against the darkness, light is welcome as for one escaping a cave of death, even the smallest bit leads to freedom.
In the past year I've spent quite some time studying scriptural comments about light.
Fleming Rutledge's quote which is the title of this blog piece states it plainly: for us all until we face our own darkness from within as well as without we sit void of light.
Often it seems the Spirit reaches out to us and we notice only a pin prick, a tiny speck of light.
Little by little the love and grace revealed moves us closer and darkness dissipates.
Advent and Christmas is all about the Light of the World, coming and pointing to His return, the Second Advent.
The will and grace of God in these few verses speaks deeply to me and I hope to you dear reader:
Psalm 36.9. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.
John 1.4. in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. - 9. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
John 8.12. I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.
I don't only believe this, I have experienced and do experience it throughout a long life often facing the very real darkness of this world, at times that of my own heart.
Further, I'm convinced God places His followers in the world to reflect the Light of Jesus in our attitudes and treatment of one another, in particular whomever we consider "the least of these" (as per Jesus's words in John chapter 25).
May you and I walk in the light as He is in the light, that's the practical practice God calls us to and one of the amazing benefits of trusting and following the risen Savior!
Advent indeed begins in the dark -but ends in unending light.
As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn
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