Section 1: The Light of the World
Have you had a conversation with a four-year-old recently? If not, I would encourage you to talk to one. Their imaginations are wild, and talking to them is a true experience. My son is four right now, and I’m always impressed by the things his mind comes up with. But he also deals with some very four-year-old-type things, like being afraid of the dark. He can’t sleep without a nightlight. He wants to see what’s around him at all times. Sometimes one of his toys casts a weird shadow on the wall, and we have to turn on a light so he knows it’s not a scary monster. When the light comes on, everything feels okay again. Because even though he’s still in the same room, he’s able to have a different perspective.
Same room, different light.
Like my four-year-old’s bedroom, our world is full of darkness on its own. As believers in Christ, we sit in the in-between after Jesus came to earth as the Light of the World and when He will return. It can be easy to wonder, How bad is He going to let things get down here? I don’t know about you, but there are some days where it starts to feel like the darkness is winning.
But today’s scriptures remind us that our God is a God of justice and that the darkness is already underneath His feet (Psalm 18:9). God’s presence in and of itself is radiance, and everything in the world and creation is under His control (Psalm 18:12,15)
Yes, our world is full of sin, brokenness, and despair. And we as believers are waiting for Jesus to return and set things fully right, forever. But in the meantime, He has given us His Spirit. And when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we become children of light (Ephesians 5:8) That means we’re able to share His light with the people around us.
So whatever burdens, or heaviness we carry today, He is right there with us. When the scary shadows of our mistakes or the darkness of our situations feel like too much, we don’t have to face them on our own. We have a Light in the darkness, and His name is Jesus.
Leave a Reply
94 thoughts on "Light in the Darkness"
I so glad I found this message. I had to pray on the darkness in the world and this site fed my soul and illuminated my prayer.. Thank you and God Bless you for sharing. Yes, our God is the ultimate light in the darkness and we are equipped to be his lights in this dark, hurting world; all we have to do is yield.
Lord thank you for your light that shines so bright
❤️
Amen
illuminate me Lord✨
One thing that gives me peace in this time is that I know how the war of light vs. darkness ends. Because God told us ❤️
Oh God, you are in the light of this world that we do desperately desire! Thank you for coming to this earth, filled with sin and sorrow. You lived a perfect and sinless life. The true lamb of God laid out his life for me, a sinner, so I could live. I am humbled and in awe of this but too often forget. The light that never fades is here with me this Christmas and every day.
Lord let me experience your radiance ✨
Love this so much – thanks for sharing the wisdom that the Lord gives you. You are such an encouragement to me Churchmouse.
Love the analogy of the 4-year-old’s fear of the darkness. When you turn the light on, the fear goes away. Same room, different light. ❤️
❤️ these are the verses I needed to read today.
Praying for my friend Brandon for his eyes to be opened to the light of Jesus. Would you ladies pray for him as well? I see him weighed down heavily by life and try to fill it with other things. Praying that God would open his eyes to see and know him!
God bless each teacher, mentor, “people” professional,…who sees the person/child inside each of us rather than just another case / patient /client. Thank you. I needed to see this today.
❤️
The Lord will light the way
❤️
“Same room, different light” ❤️❤️❤️
❤️
Lord, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness.
This verse never stood out to me before. It did to me today. It strikes me that this is a reminder both that God is the source of our own internal light and that He cares for us individually and will light up our individual, unique dark times. What a loving God we serve!
Praying a very similar prayer for my sister, Amber. Lord Jesus, soften these women’s hearts and open their eyes to see how wonderful it is to follow you. Do a mighty work in their hearts. Amen
What a powerful prayer ❤️
❤️
Thank you for being the light in my darkness today Jesus. The burdens and darkness of my situation is heavy in my heart tonight and your light is what I need. In you is Joy and for that I am thankful.
Oh Lord, illuminate my sister , Sarah’s life. Expose what is hidden. Bring her back to you. Don’t forget her or hide your face from her. Remind her who you are. Remind her that your love is perfect and more complete then the ways of the world. Please God, remind her that she cannot save herself, she needs a savior, she needs you.
Had a tough situation at work today. Need prayers friends! I want God to help me learn from this situation
JAMIE, I just realized that the graphic for the ADVENT STUDY shows up just below ‘Leave a Reply’ box/’Post Comment’, too.
JAMIE, welcome and God bless you! If you’re looking for the previous devotionals (to catch up) just scroll below the current day’s post on the website (on my Kindle I wouldn’t click on ‘read with us’; I would just scroll past that to find the past days’ readings.) I hope that helps and makes sense!
Churchmouse, Not sure where in Alabama you are but I am live here as well. I often wonder if I know your daughter, if she is friends with my daughter. Small world stuff.
Same room. Different light. Yes!!!!
Thank you, Tina. As usual you use the words I need.
Jamie Welcome! You can have the devotional emailed to you (sign up on website) or you can download the app or just go to the website and read it from that day’s post on the current reading plan.
Hi, ladies! I am new to the community, I’m Jamie, I’m 36 and live in Pittsburgh, PA. Looking forward to being in the Word with you all :) Could anyone direct me to where I would find the daily devotionals? Thank you and God bless.
Yes, so good.
Dear @Traci Gendron, my hurt hurts for you, losing your dear son, especially with it being Christmas. I feel like we knew him a little with you sharing over the past couple of years (thank you for that)! Just be sure to let it all out, the hurt, anger, sadness…all of it, God knows how you feel. And we are here for you. hugs.
Love this
❤️
I’m praying my for you Traci. I pray you feel God’s comfort and peace as you mourn the loss of your son.
Check out Zoe’s Extraordinary Christmas . don’t agree with a lot of what this movie stands for, but I think it gives an accurate picture of what it means to celebrate Christmas, while missing a loved one.
I’m praying my for you Traci. I pray you feel God’s comfort and peace as you mourn the loss of your son. Check out Zoe’s I don’t agree with a lot of what this movie stands for, but I think it gives an accurate picture of what it means to celebrate Christmas, while missing a loved one.
God has called us to be the light in this dark world. I know I’m not perfect, but I pray that God would give me his strength and discernment to demonstrate who he is to the world. Along with our normal Christmas lights, we have a cross light on our Juliet balcony.
The Moses versus really resonated with me. For the past two years, as we have distanced and divided, the world has felt darker. Last year my neighbors invited me to outdoor Christmas services at their church. We lit candles and the pastor challenged us to close our eyes. As we did so, he demonstrated that even when our eyes are closed, we can sense the light. It really directed my attention away from my temporal senses and understanding, and taught me how to focus on the light in the darkness using other means of perception. “Eyes that see.”
“He gives His image bearers His light, and nudges us to pass it on.” Our light. Our life!
Abby’s story about a young child’s imagination brings to mind last evening when I was working with Finley. She was to decorate a paper gingerbread girl for school and towards the end we put those “googly eyes” on it. Then she pointed to her lips and to the gingerbread girl, where lips needed to be, so I found some red rick-rack and we put it on. Then Fin pointed to her nose and to where a nose should be for her gingerbread girl, she chose a button and put it on. This happened again with the ears, we used smaller buttons for them. Finley was so cute about it. I asked after putting the ears on if we were done, then and only then did she say yes. She made my night.
God has sent many different incidents like that to light up my evening. I guess that is why I do what I do.
Sisters be blessed and see if you can find that little light in your day today.
The Lord my God lights my darkness.
God has always loved and will forever love the Israelites… even after they abandoned Him, He never gave up on them.
May we all always have God as our fortress, our rock, and our strength. Our trust in anything else will always fail.
God gives us our salvation… in HIm.. we always walk with the light..so why not just worship Him?
Have a great rest of the day, dear sisters
Same room- different light. I will always remember this. <3
Thank you Tina for that beautiful prayer. Churchmouse I loved your post. Foster Mama I’m praying for you as you requested “to learn who God needs you to be.” That really resonated with me as that is often my own prayer. I really appreciated your prayers on my behalf as well. Thank you. Mari V praying your ortho appointment goes well today. Aimee D R your prayer too, really spoke to my heart.
I think the verse that grabbed me today was Psalm 18:19, 28. Such joy to think the Lord actually delights in me! Oh my. As Tina says…But God…
Hugs & love to all y’all!
TINA – BUT GOD, BUT GOD, BUT GOD, OH BUT GOD. This blessed me today as I am truly in a hard place. My logic knows that Tanner is with God. He is healed. Which is so much better. But now I find myself lost. Grieving for my loss. I miss him. BUT GOD healed him. I rejoice in that.
I have been struggling lately. Christmas will be so hard this year. I’m praying that God will be the light that gets me through the loss of my son Tanner, the darkness. Today has been exceptionally hard. I miss him.
In my 30’s I accepted Christ and could feel his light. His presence. I ran from it in my 40’s. Back into the dark. From the burden and pain of knowing one day I would lose my son. How foolish. I’m so thankful for SRT. It brought me back. I pray I will never stray again.
I was catching up and yesterdays reading hit hard. I live in Colorado where we have many fires. They can bring up anxiety for me as I lost my dad in a house fire years ago. I know how all consuming fire can be. It took my dad, my childhood home, and my mom was injured. But the light was the rebuilding. God didn’t leave our sides. I’m always so thankful for that.
We are visiting our daughter and her family for the next several days. We stay at a nearby hotel as to not interrupt their routine nor invade their space, which they very much appreciate and we are happy to do (we like our routine and space also). I had to get up last night and struggled to remember where the bathroom light switch was located. After a few minutes I found it and that light was much appreciated. After reading the Scripture and the devotion today I thought how I was enveloped in darkness, not just last night, but all of my life, until I met and accepted Christ as my Savior. I had no light. I did not shine. I could not shine. I lived my life, not unlike most of my peers, but I was actually living in complete darkness. When I came to know Jesus’ atoning sacrifice which released me from the wages of my sin, it’s as though a light bulb turned on. Similar to me flipping the bathroom light switch to illuminate the room, the Holy Spirit lit me up. I no longer walk in darkness. I walk in the Light of the Spirit and His Light shines through me. I don’t stumble. I know the Way and I know where I’m going. I think of this when I turn on my Christmas lights. Just as the tree lights up, shines so brightly, the presence of the Holy Spirit lights me up. What good news! And that makes me “merry and bright” long after Christmas.
If we shine the light of Jesus on a situation we can get the correct perspective
MELANIE – praying for your stepmom and God using this time for your whole family.
ANGIE – I don’t even know how to respond; you struck right to the heart of my being…May God bless your work and open ALL of our eyes to see this way; and to remember that the parent who isn’t doing the best job also probably had a rough (possibly tougher) start. Thank you for showing love and knowing that “independent work skills” was not the highest priority this time…LOVE will be remembered and impactful far beyond… God bless each teacher, mentor, “people” professional,…who sees the person/child inside each of us rather than just another case / patient /client.
Please continue to pray for me. A simple “Jesus put a hedge around FOSTER MAMA and teach her who she needs to be” should suffice ;)
I always think of psalm 139. For even the darkness is as light to you…. A great song is Everlasting Light by Mosaic MSC
I always think of psalm 139. For even the darkness is as light to you….
Thank you Abby Flynn, loved your words today. “Same Room different light.” His light brings joy, peace, healing, new life, where once there was darkness. Our perspective, vision, hope all change because of Jesus. No time to read everyone’s requests right now, but will later and will pray. Praise God for all of you out there reflecting, sharing and being His light in the darkness.
Amen
MARI V – I am praying the very best for you at your Orthopaedics appointment today.
ABBY FLYNN – I loved every word! The analogy of the nightlight and “Same room, different light.” had a big impact on me. (BTW: I hope you are soaking every moment of watching repeated episodes of kid’s shows with your little ones…you may find yourself missing them one day. ❤️)
Lord help me be a light to others today. I also love what Abby said about “We have a Light in the darkness, and his name is Jesus”❤️ To anyone who wants to be encouraged in this way too busy season of Christmas and all the stuff we feel we need to do, ought to do, etc… I felt so much better listening to the podcast this week with Ruth Chou Simon. Raechel, and Amanda.
Our Light is Jesus. I’m enjoying having my quiet time be our Christmas Tree. It’s simple but beautiful! Thank YOU Jesus for being my light in the midst of my darkness when things just aren’t right. Sisters I would appreciate prayer today as I will see my Orthopedic doctor and I’m hoping I’m released to be able to drive again. It’s been over 3 months. I know it’s been a burden on everyone especially at work. No fun to say the least.
Thanks for the reminder of the Hope & Light we have in spite of this dark world. We need to be representatives of His light to those around us!
@Kelly that’s what jumped out to me as well!
Psalm 18:19 “He brought me out to a spacious place, he rescued me because he delighted in me” brought tears to my eyes. God is my shield, my rock, my strength and my fortress and rescues me because he delights in me! Incredible! Prayers for all, grateful for all you share!
“We have a Light in the darkness, and His name is Jesus.” I love that! ❤️
Beth- I am so sorry to hear you grieving over this, but I am so grateful your friend is in this amazing place that we all aspire to be. Praying for you
My heart is so full right now! TINA, BLESSED BETH, HEIDI, your prayers, prayer requests, and praises touched my heart and I join you in those prayers!
ANGIE, thank you for once again shining a light on what is an all too common darkness in our world. For you to have seen that entrance to home makes me wonder if you also went the extra mile to deliver him safely home. My parents were not alcoholics, but my home life was not a secure place so, like you, my teachers were my safe place to land. I thank God for teachers who truly care for their students and go that extra mile! Continued prayers for all teachers, admins, subs in these days.
Shannon JANE, thanks for sharing that quote!
SEARCHING, :)
Awesome message!!
From one teacher to another Angie, bless you.
We have a light in the darkness and his name is Jesus. I love this! This devotional was so good. Light adds perspective and defeats the darkness.
Priscilla Shirer’s words always come to my mind when I read Scripture about the Red Sea. She says something along the lines of, “everyone wants to experience a miracle of God like the parting of the Red Sea, but no one wants to face the Red Sea.” What a good reminder that in order to feel God’s miraculous provision, we will need to be in a place (often challenging) where if God doesn’t intervene, we wouldn’t make it. This makes it sure that only God gets the glory and credit. Not us!
Growing up my fam completely submerged our entire being in Christmas music and the seasons rituals. I haven’t been a fan of the holidays bc of it. But today Holyspirit sparked my heart with what this is really about. And I needed this Ty.
So encouraging. Thank you for sharing this reminder!
Thank You Angie for your post. Praise the Lord for His work in your life and now you are shining His light, pouring His love into your students. May He continue to bless your students through you.
Praying that God will allow me to be a light where He has planted my family and me. My attitude has not been the best regarding where we are located at this time, but I know that there are so many opportunities to shine God’s light and presence in this place of spiritual darkness. May I move forward with bold confidence despite the countless strongholds surrounding us! Only by God’s grace.
The weary world rejoices….
Praying for you, Blessed Beth! May you and your loved ones sense God’s very near presence in this season.
I praise You Lord! You are my light and salvation. When the darkness is too much I am not alone, for you light my way. You light up where I live! Your Spirit is a light that comes from within me that spreads light, warmth and Truth to those around me. I am beyond thankful that You are Light!
@Sarah D thank you for directing me back to your comment! I haven’t had time to go back and read previous comments lately so thank you for the heads up! I wish we could meet in person too :) I FEEL YOU over all the stresses of being a #realadult now. One of my life mottos is “sometimes the soul just needs to weep” so your monthly cries are completely normal! Also I’m glad you’ve had opportunities to be a light to your parents :) I’m sure praying for that mom meant so much to her!
My job is going well too! I love working with my older adults and the last few months were super crazy with reffing field hockey almost every day after work so it’s nice to have a bit of a break now. Praying for you that this season we are both able to find plenty of joy and for strength to keep waking up early enough to do our devotions with SRT :)
@Melanie praying for your step mom!
It wasn’t until I wasn’t able to walk from an injury that I got at work. That I turned to God and let him take over. He was so Patient with me as I pushed him away for many years. Those 6 months of having to depend on family humbled me. I dove into the word and was searching hard for community. Now that’s exactly what I have and I love it.
It wasn’t until I wasn’t able to walk from an injury that I got at work. That I turned to God and let him take over. He was so patient
I praise You Lord! You are my light and salvation. When the darkness is ltoo much
Dear God my Father, Our Father, let us see Your light when we feel the darkness closing in. Let us be Your light to those who need it. Please hear the cries of our hearts and answer. In Jesus name, Amen
Such good words for today. God is in control! We are not alone in the darkness of this present world. Thanks be to God!
Wow thank you for sharing Angie! Praying for us to be lights that reflect the great and everlasting Light.
Also @Taylor, I did see your response two days ago, and I responded on the same day! Just wanted to let you know, thank you for your sweet comment!
Tina-thank you for your words. I am so sorry for the loss of this young man. Lots of days lately the dark feels likes it’s winning. My step mom is going in for a biopsy today. Please pray for peace and no cancer. May God be glorified and use this for my dad and step brothers. Praying for my SRT family xoxoxo
Praying again for those this morning shining the Light of Christ in truly dark, frightening places where the enemy has successfully maintained an atmosphere of pure darkness. Praying encouragement for those intentionally stepping into dark places in order to bring the Light of Hope to the lost. Praying God to reconfirm in their hearts His great love for them AND for those they are risking it all to reach.
Bring them peace, encouragement, protection, hope, and rest, dear Father. May your beautiful Kingdom be furthered and the Light of Christ Jesus be received and grow to illuminate and eradicate the darkest places and darkest hearts. May Your power be experienced in unexpected ways today.
Today’s passages began with our God covering the land of Egypt with “a darkness that can be felt,” requiring them to remain in one place for 3 days. But, not God’s people. Right across the road (so to speak) there was Light, while the Egyptians were covered in darkness.
I had an assignment for my students to create one display to go with the Christmas book of their choice that we have been reading. I have 21 kiddos. Two out with covid family issues – two absent for other reasons – bringing the number down to 17. Of those 17, eight did not do anything for the project. We’ve been planning/talking about it for 2 weeks now. They have known the display was due. I’ve offered supplies, even props from what I have. Yet, 8 didn’t even try. I told them they would have to spend recess inside creating something (We set the displays up for the other classes to walk through and look at. We even stand proudly by our displays for the kindergarten classes and read our book reviews and tell them about how we made the display. I didn’t want those 8 left out.) And then, I thought about their “darkness.” Six of my 8 come from very tough homes. I remembered the day before when I watched one of my little guys going into his house. He stood outside and pounded on the door for what seemed like forever, in the cold. When he finally was let in, the rag that covers the window flapped against the window on the door so that no one can see in. I’ve met this child’s father. And, I understand what he goes home to, somewhat. My parents were alcoholics. While I went to school, I was on my own for my learning once I stepped out of those school doors. Neither of my parents had graduated high school, and education did not hold value to them. My parents did not yet, have a relationship with the Lord. I praise God for the teachers in my life that took me under their wing. For the librarian who picked out books especially for me to encourage my reading, and let me trade them out daily. And, God alone who gave that little girl a spirit of perseverance and made school a good and safe place during those years.
The Egyptians-godless people in our lives still live in darkness today. There are times the darkness is so dark, they can feel it (and so can their children). They are seemingly trapped in their circumstances. But they do not have to be. Because the children of God are right across the road, living-walking-thriving in His Light. I pray that as we live, we will share His Light. I know that only God can bring them out of the darkness they can feel but I thank God for the reminder that I have an opportunity to be His Light – even when it is just a candle glow – use it Father for your good.
(The kiddos did stay in at recess with our high school helper, and me, as we gathered supplies so that they could create simple projects. I know they need to learn to do it on their own, like I did – but, I felt God urging me to reach out to them in His love. They felt His love, I know. Someday they will recognize and accept His Light, I pray.)
P.S. The flash mob with my students and Matthew West’s son, We Need Christmas, was super fun and successful. Maura, not sure about the Youtube just yet. Trying to pin my principal down about it. We did tape it, just in case. :) Blessings to all. (I do go through posts and pray for those needing it and thank God specifically for the way your sharing honors our God and encourages His kingdom.)
The idea of the Israelites having light in the midst of heavy darkness ‘that can be felt’ puts me in awe. And I feel that darkness and heaviness now facing all the challenges of work and life. I pray that God keeps reminding me that He is the light and that I truly don’t face life on m own, this is all temporary but my time with Him is eternal. Praying for focus on that today!
What a beautiful prayer!
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
Thank you, Searching for your prayers. I see you post prayer lists and it makes me happy to see such kindness and faithfulness.
BLESSED BETH-joining KELLY in prayer, that the Lord will be glorified while bringing comfort, strength and healing
TINA – your beautiful prayer brought tears this morning.
MICHELLE PATIRE – praying for Claire and your car’s repair
LEXI B – praying for God’s provision for the time taken off, clarity & harmony in the sorting through & packing up as emotions can catch people off guard. I’ve had to do this several times and sort things by toss, donate or keep/save, and force myself to keep moving through the process.
SARAH LEGACE & CALI GROSS – praying for rest, balance and boundaries
CEEGEE – sifting ❤️
AMIE VILT – welcome home
Praying for those that are abused, persecuted, imprisoned
BLESSED BETH – sorry for your loss. Praying for both families mentioned.
TINA – praying for the family you mentioned as well.
LEXI B – may God provide for your needs as you put others first
Maybe a new client for your new business will come on the scene.
One line from Psalm 18 just jumped out to me!
“[God] rescued me because he delighted in me.”
And He delights in you too!❤
Oh it is a hard time of year, this week my dear friend and pray partner was taken home. It was tough knowing there would be no daily calls, but to see the peace on her face, I know where she is. I love that her 83 year old husband has picked up where she left off and calls with all his simple requests and i can pray and cry with him. What an honor.
There is Mark who suffered for a month with Covid and has just been called home also, he was a very strong man of faith. But God needed him more, now we focus on prayers for is wife, son and grandson who also have the dreaded Covid. May they be healed to continue the walk with the Lord.
I must remember God is good all the time and is right here with each of us.
Amie V, I’m praying that your faith would be deeply rooted in the truth and that longtime believers would be inspired by your enthusiasm. You have such a witness to others who are on a similar path to the one you were on, exploring various types of spirtuality.
David cried to the Lord, and the Lord heard him. He came down from heaven. He reached down from on high and rescued David from his enemies. He is our rock, our fortress, and deliverer. By Him, we can seek refuge.
Sitting here on my bed, looking out towards the hills that I am blessed to have around me, watching the sun rise, I think of the darkness of today for a beloved family, who say goodbye to their loved one who died in a car crash 2 weeks ago..
I think of their heartbreak, their grieving, the questions they will be asking, their falling to their knees in absolute despair and brokenness. I think of the days to come when the home feels empty, the waiting for the key in the door, Daddy’s home.. but nothing, the gentle peck, that says it all, that will not be, the loving father, husband hug that has now become a memory.. then I remember..
BUT GOD..
BUT GOD..
BUT GOD..
Oh BUT GOD..
Thank you that your arms are as wide, as deep as high, that no matter how far we fall, they will pick us up. Hold us close, and shine just enough light to believe that tomorrow things may not be so bleak, despairing, dark…
Lord, you light my (our) lamp, my (our) God illuminates my (our) darkness..
BUT GOD..
Thank you Lord God, Thank you that you do, thank you..
For all who grieve, I pray the Lord truly lights your darkness and fills it with the hope that is his Son, Jesus.. each day in your sorrow..
For those who seek medical assistance, in its many forms, I pray God, lights the path and gives wisdom to those you consult to get the best possible care.
For those lost and confused, praying the Light of God shines bright, lighting, illuminating the way for you to see more clearly..
For those who just need a touch, praying the illuminating light in you shines bright, as you become a light to another..
Praying for all requests as I read them..
Sending love so wrapped in prayers for a God illuminating day!❤
Psalm 18:28 – “LORD, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness.”
Thank You, Lord, for being our light in the darkness and help us to allow your light to shine brighter in and through us.
LEXI B- You blessed my heart! Praying for you as you commit to the task at your uncle’s place and in trusting God’s provision. Condolences to you and your family!