I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
Revelation 21:22-25

The Only Thing

The most unlike my “normal South Florida day” I’ve ever experienced was the summer solstice in Iceland. That far north on June 21, the longest day of the year, meant there were only thirty-one minutes of night. Barely dipping below the horizon, the sun’s presence made it so that nighttime never really got dark.

I would love to say that this experience made the words of Revelation easier to imagine or that I can better visualize heaven because I experienced a day without “night.”

Unfortunately, that’s not the case. That’s because today’s reading isn’t about the removal of darkness or nighttime. It’s about the presence of God and the impact of his presence on life itself.

Here on Earth, we are completely dependent on the light we receive from the sun. Without it, crops wouldn’t grow, food wouldn’t exist, and life as we know it would stop. The sun shows us where to walk, keeps us safe from predators, and even regulates our mood. No sun means no life.

That’s not the only thing we depend on for survival. Water, air, and shelter are basic human needs. In North America, we thrive because these are readily accessible to most. We also enjoy safety, social connection, and personal growth because of societal order made possible through the governments that establish law and order.

Even our spiritual survival is dependent on a regular rhythm of confession and absolution to free us from the fear, shame, and guilt caused by sin. Without the full and free forgiveness we receive in Word and sacrament, sin would consume us.

This is how life works for us here and now. But John’s revelation shows us that heaven will be radically different. In eternity, the only thing we will need for existence is Jesus himself.

Jesus, the visible display of God’s undeserved love for us, is the “glory of the Lord.” This grace given through the Lamb will light our way, guide our walk, and provide perfect peace and safety.

In heaven, grace will not be something we return to again and again as we struggle with sin—it will be the atmosphere we breathe. The presence of God Almighty and the Lamb will give us life in a way our sun never could. His love will keep us secure, removing the need for gates. We won’t need a temple because his dwelling will be with us.

It’s not simply that it will always be daytime. It will be that God himself, in Jesus, will be the light, the security, the joy, and the center of everything we need for our existence.

That day will truly be unlike any we’ve ever experienced before!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, you are the light that gives life, the forgiveness that sustains us, and the hope that guides our way. As we wait this Advent season, teach us to loosen our grip on the things we depend on here and cling instead to you, our true source of peace and safety. Prepare our hearts for the day when you will be our all in all and we will dwell forever in the glory of your presence. Amen.

Written by Dawn Schulz

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Philippians 2:14-16a

Shining Like Stars

The study of contrast is important in many areas:

• Visual artists use contrast to highlight key items and guide attention to particular elements.
• Fashion designers use contrast for dramatic effect in clothing.
• Marketing experts use contrast to evoke emotion.

On the very first day of creation, it was God himself who created contrast when he created light. The first verses of God’s Word tell us that God separated light from darkness. We see a striking visualization of that contrast when we look into the night sky. Today’s reading tells us that the stars shine in the night sky. Scientists tell us that the stars are trillions of miles from Earth—and yet we can see them against the darkness. That’s quite a contrast!

Amazingly, Paul tells us that we Christians shine like the stars in the night sky as our God-pleasing lives stand out from the warped and crooked world. In a world that rewards aggression, God calls us to be humble. In a world that pays attention to sex appeal, God calls us to be modest. In a world that values a “take charge” attitude, God calls us to be servants. As we answer God’s call, we stand out from the world like stars in the night sky!

It’s noteworthy that Paul mentions two sins that would keep us from “shining like stars”: grumbling and arguing. Grumbling and arguing are ever so common in our world, and they are full of the darkness of sin. When we grumble, we are disagreeing with the situation God has put us in and coming close to saying, “I don’t agree with what you are doing, Lord.” When we argue, we are angrily insisting on our way or our ideas instead of lovingly listening to another person and gently explaining what we think. Grumbling and arguing quickly make us blend in with the darkness, spoiling the contrast God wants from us.

The end of our reading says that we hold firmly to the “word of life.” God’s Word gives us the life that we “blender inners” so desperately need. Our Savior has forgiven all the grumbling and arguing we have ever done, along with all our other sins. The Holy Spirit has made us children of God and has worked in our hearts and lives so that we shine like stars! We do well to hold firmly to the Word that gives us life.

Of course, that same Word gives life to others as well. We hold firmly to the life-giving Word so we can share it with others. And that’s the greatest example of the contrast Paul is talking about. We Christians are the only people on Earth who can share the life-giving message of God’s Word.

Shine like stars, sisters!

Prayer: Lord, you tell us in your Word that by constant use of Scripture we train ourselves to distinguish good from evil. Lead us to the light of your goodness so we shine like stars for the world to see. Amen.

Written by Angela Kom

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

Reflecting Our Savior’s Light

I sat in a large room surrounded by more than forty missionaries, each with theology degrees and ministry experience that far surpassed mine. The leader posed a simple but piercing question: Which of these attributes do you least identify with from 1 Peter 2:9? Being chosen? Being priests? Being holy? Being God’s special possession?

My mind whirled. “Chosen?” That certainly fit. My parents ingrained that truth in me from childhood: “For [God] chose us in him before the creation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). “Holy?” Absolutely. On Christ the solid rock I stand, washed perfectly clean by faith in my Redeemer. “God’s special possession?” Some days it doesn’t feel like it, but the cross proves it beyond a doubt.

But a priest? That one stopped me. I hadn’t gone to seminary. God did not call me to lead a flock. It was my first year as a missionary, and I already felt unprepared to face the questions and situations that I knew would come.

My thoughts wandered to the tribe of Levi and to Aaron’s family line—generation after generation devoted to the priesthood. What did the women do in that tribe, I had always wondered? Then I remembered Revelation 5:9-10, the vision of heaven and the new song: “With your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God.”

And there it was—the reason for all the praise. The Lamb, looking as if slain and yet triumphant on the throne. Our Lord, who set human feet on earth with unwavering determination, who walked every perfect step to the cross for us, for me.

My priesthood has nothing to do with my degrees, my experience, or my gender. It has everything to do with the message I have been given. The most precious message: that the darkness of my sin, the pit of my failures, the grim battle I could never win was shattered by the moment my Lord cried, “It is finished.” In that cry, the darkness in my soul turned to blinding light. I stand in that light, my eyes dazzled, my heart finally knowing that peace that surpasses all understanding.

I am a priest. God proclaims it. I am called to declare the praises of him who brought me out of darkness into his marvelous light. My priestly service is not offering sacrifices but pointing over and over again to the unblemished Lamb who was sacrificed once for all. My service is standing in his undeserved love and inviting others to rejoice in the same. I belong to a family of believers who have lived this calling for generations.

Friend, Jesus has made you a part of his kingdom and a priest to serve God. Together we reflect his light in a world full of shadow, declaring his praises until we stand in the full brilliance of his presence forever. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer: Gracious Savior, thank you for making us your chosen people and calling us your own. Let your light guide our steps, and give us courage to proclaim your saving name. Use our voices and lives to reflect your glory until the day we stand in your eternal light. Amen.

Written by Elise Gross

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:19

Pay Attention

When was the last time you were in complete darkness? A power outage? A dark basement? Driving on a country road after a wrong turn? The wee hours of a sleepless night? These experiences help us understand why Peter urges us to “pay attention… as to a light shining in a dark place.”

• Light gives direction. In the dark, you can’t see where you’re going or whether you’re on the right path. A light helps you reach your destination.
• Light brings safety. Darkness hides dangers like tripping hazards or harmful people. Paying attention to the light helps you avoid what could harm you.
• Light gives hope. Darkness can feel overwhelming, lonely, or endless. Even a small light reminds you that the darkness won’t last forever.
• Light reveals truth. Darkness casts shadows, leaving our imagination to guess what’s there. Light exposes everything for what it truly is.

We pay attention to light in the dark not because the light is the end goal, but because it helps us navigate safely, truthfully, and hopefully until the full day arrives.

This is exactly what Peter wanted his readers to understand. As new Christians navigating life in a secular world, harmful messages were plunging them into darkness. They were “forgetting their new identity in Christ and failing to live like Christians. They were losing their confidence in the divine authority of Scripture. They were becoming too relaxed about the threat of false teachers. And they were too concerned with the here and now and not nearly mindful enough of the coming great Judgment” (The People’s Bible, James, Peter, John, Jude). They needed Peter’s clear directive to pay attention to the prophetic message of God’s Word in order to navigate safely, truthfully, and hopefully until Jesus returned.

Sound familiar? The darkness of our me-centered society, condescending political and social messaging, and a lax approach to discipleship threaten to darken our view. Without the light of God’s Word, we risk wandering into dark, dangerous, confusing, and hopeless places.

There is a final reason Peter tells us to pay attention to the prophetic message of Scripture: Light comes before dawn. The darkness of night is chased away by light in advance of the sunrise and the start of a new day. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus Christ is called the bright Morning Star. Paying attention to the light of God’s Word prepares us for the greater brightness of Christ’s full presence.

This Advent season, as you reflect on his Word, pay attention to the light it gives. It is preparing you for the coming of Jesus when there will be no darkness at all.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, as we wait this Advent season, shine the light of your Word into the dark places of our hearts and guide us safely along your paths. Strengthen our faith to trust your promises, keeping our eyes fixed on you, the bright Morning Star. Prepare us to rejoice fully in your coming, when there will be no darkness and your glory will fill all creation. Amen.

Written by Dawn Schulz

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5

Running to the Light

Did you know that the color white is the result of removing all color? If you start with a blank piece of paper and add a little bit of color… and then a bit more… and then just a bit more—eventually, you’ll end up with a muddy mess. Trying to make a blank piece of paper lighter simply isn’t possible. Anything we do will result in more darkness on the page, not less.

And that’s a little bit like God. Today’s reading says, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” John used the light/darkness metaphor that was common to most religions at the time. His point was that God is light: absolutely pure and holy. There is no darkness—no falsehood or sin—in him. Again, this was a metaphor used by almost every religion of John’s time.

But what set Christianity apart from every other religion is this: the holy God did something to make us holy (Hebrews 2:11). We started our lives in the darkness of sin, and now God calls us out of this darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). God rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into Jesus’ kingdom. His death forgave us and brought us into the light of God’s kingdom!

There is an absolute distinction between this light and the darkness of the sinful world we live in. God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. As much as we strive to live in the light of God’s presence, we often find ourselves drawn back to the darkness that surrounds us—and any movement towards that darkness continues to dim the light.

Therefore, God has called us to stay away from any and every evil. Paul tells us that there must not even be a hint of evil among us (Ephesians 5:3). As we live our lives, we need to remember that any attempt to add our own light to the light of God’s glory only results in darkness. We want to stay away from any and every evil. Even a “little” gossip diminishes the light. An “innocent” lustful thought brings darkness into our hearts. A longstanding grudge inches us away from the light. In God, there is no darkness. He wants there to be no darkness in us either. The sharp distinction between light and dark applies to us.

Thankfully, even as we continually “dance with darkness” on this side of heaven, God’s light continually shines brightly. Jesus won forgiveness for us, and God has called us into his marvelous light. By God’s grace and through his work in our lives, we recommit ourselves to living in his light—and give thanks that he brings us out of darkness even when we struggle to do so on our own.

Prayer: Creator God, in you is life and light—all good things. Help us meditate on what is pure, true, excellent, and praiseworthy. Give us discernment and courage to crowd out anything that brings us closer to darkness. Keep us in the narrow way and bring us home to you. We pray in the name of our Savior. Amen.

Written by Angela Kom

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

Living in the Light of God’s Presence

“Lord, make me a woman of the Word—a real woman of the Word.” That prayer tumbled out of my mouth in 2016 as I sat in an empty room of a new rental house in Chile. I had been a Christian my whole life: baptized as a baby, raised on Scripture at home and school. On paper, I was certainly a woman of the Word.

But my conscience knew better. Much of my adult life had been consumed with proving myself rather than growing closer to my Savior. Long hours teaching in Christian schools and over-planning left little energy for the Word. Church became a chore. My “devotions” were more about socializing than about God.

A dramatic move—5,525 miles south to serve in a local church in Chile—didn’t change that. A year later, I still felt the same guilt.

The Holy Spirit kept pressing: Sit. Be still. Listen. Stop striving. Just be in the Word. It sounded simple yet felt impossible. I wanted measurable results. But that’s exactly why my Savior came: because no one can prove themselves worthy. He already lived the perfect life in service to God and neighbor. He went to the cross to prove his love. I didn’t need to do more; I needed to rest in what he had already done.

So, the prayer came: “Lord, make me a woman of the Word. I don’t know how. I don’t even want to, but I need you. Grant me your Spirit. Teach me to put your Word first.”

In John 8, Jesus was confronted by self-identified godly people who questioned his authority. They didn’t want to believe that his words were true and needed in their lives. Jesus’ response came sharp and cutting: “You have no idea. You don’t know me or my Father.”

Ouch. I feel that truth sting through the pages of my Bible. Pride blinds me, too.

But Jesus also spoke the clear gospel to this group of doubters: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

His words pierce our pride and striving. God’s Word is not just information; his gospel is actual power. It breathes life into dead hearts, grows faith in all kinds of soil, and bears fruit in the reader’s character. I didn’t need a 70-hour workweek or a move across continents to become a woman of the Word. I simply needed to humbly sit, open my Bible, and pray, “Lord, fill my cup with your living water.”

Over time, he did. Slowly, faithfully, God granted me self-control and even joy in his Word daily. And there, in the light of his presence, I finally began to see that being a woman of the Word has nothing to do with proving myself—and everything to do with Jesus, the Light of life.

Prayer: Lord, Light of the world, thank you for calling me out of my pride and striving and into the warmth of your Word. Teach me to love sitting at your feet and listening to your voice. Keep me walking in your light until the day I see you face to face. Amen.

Written by Elise Gross

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
Luke 2:30-32

Sharing is Caring

Have you ever noticed how hard it can be to share? We try to teach sharing to toddlers, but putting it into practice as adults can be equally challenging. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Consider how you feel when someone asks for a copy of the recipe everyone raves about. What about when you find someone in “your” parking spot? How do you feel when someone else gets credit for your idea? It’s hard to share because it can feel like we’re giving away something precious or that we consider uniquely ours. There’s always a part of us (our sinful nature) that wants to hold tight and keep joy for ourselves.

Simeon shows us something different. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple, Simeon took the child in his arms. (A quick aside: Mary actually showed sharing first. Any new mom knows what I’m talking about! But back to Simeon.) Can you imagine what this would have been like for him? In a special revelation from the Holy Spirit, Simeon knew he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Messiah (Luke 2:26). And now, here was Jesus. The fulfillment of God’s promise to the children of Israel was cradled in Simeon’s arms. What a personal gift and public celebration for his people!

And yet, Simeon’s words revealed he understood God had a much bigger plan. Even while Simeon rejoiced in the personal gift of seeing Jesus, he immediately celebrated the fact that this gift was never just for him. From the beginning, God had announced that his salvation from sin would be for all people.

Simeon’s words also reflect his understanding of how God’s salvation would be given to all people. For Israel, Jesus is the glory of God’s people—not because they were better than anyone else, but because through them, God’s promise was fulfilled. For the Gentiles, Jesus is the light that reveals salvation to those who had been in the dark, not knowing God’s promises, not even realizing salvation was for them too. Through Christ, what was hidden is uncovered; what was unseen is brought into view.

Simeon’s joy was generous, wide open, and reflective of God’s own heart. He held salvation in his arms and knew: This is what I’ve waited for, but it isn’t just for me. This is for the whole world.

As women preparing for Advent and Christmas, Simeon teaches us something vital. We treasure the deeply personal joy of Christ—our Savior from sin, our peace with God, our light in the darkness. But like Simeon, we are invited to lift our eyes outward and remember that this joy is not ours alone. Christmas is not only a family celebration or a cozy tradition; it’s the good news of salvation for all nations.

Like Simeon, we celebrate that fact by sharing Jesus with those who don’t know him. Through invitations to join in our Christmas celebration, by saving a seat next to us at church, through words of encouragement or acts of kindness, we reflect the light of Christ. When we open our arms, our homes, and our lives to others, we echo Simeon’s song: This is for me—and it is also for you.

So as you prepare for Christmas, let your heart rest in the personal joy of Jesus, your Savior. And at the same time, rejoice in God’s great generosity. He sent this light not for some, but for all. Like Simeon, we can see salvation with our own eyes, and with the same joy, we can share it with the world.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, as we prepare our hearts this Advent, help us to treasure the personal joy of your salvation while also remembering it is a gift meant for all. Give us courage to share your light with others through our words, our homes, and our lives. May our hearts echo Simeon’s song, rejoicing in your presence and reflecting your glory to the world. Amen.

Written by Dawn Schulz

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.
Psalm 89:15

Walking in the Light of God’s Presence

In his book Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants, Dr. Paul Brand talks about his mother, Evelyn. Evelyn grew up in England and attended the London Conservatory of Art. She was so beautiful that people would line up to paint her picture. She fell in love and moved to India with her missionary husband. When her husband died, she stayed in India. Dr. Brand writes, “She poured her life into the hill people, nursing the sick, teaching farming, lecturing about guinea worms, rearing orphans, clearing jungle land, pulling teeth, establishing schools, digging wells, preaching the Gospel.” He continues, “I say it kindly and in love, but in old age Mother had little of physical beauty left in her. The rugged conditions, combined with the crippling falls and her battles with typhoid, dysentery, and malaria, had made her a thin, hunched-over old woman. Years of exposure to wind and sun had toughened her facial skin into leather and furrowed it with wrinkles as deep and extensive as any I have seen on a human face. Evelyn Harris of the fancy clothes and the classic profile was a dim memory of the past. Mother knew that as well as anyone—for the last twenty years of her life she refused to keep a mirror in her house.”

Yet, Dr. Brand also writes, “And yet with all the objectivity a son can muster, I can truly say that Evelyn Harris Brand was a beautiful woman, to the very end. One of my strongest visual memories of her is set in a village in the mountains, possibly the last time I saw her in her own environment. When she approached, the villagers had rushed out to take her crutches and carry her to a place of honor. In my memory, she is sitting on a low stone wall that circles the village, with people pressing in from all sides. … They were looking at a bony, wrinkled old face, but somehow her shrunken tissues had become transparent, and she was all lambent (glowing) spirit. To them, and to me, she was beautiful.” Why was this woman with a “bony, wrinkled old face” beautiful? Because she loved people.

The best commentary on our reading is another verse that we hear frequently: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26, emphasis added). The Hebrew word translated “presence” in our reading is the same word translated “face” in Numbers 6. In both cases, the idea is that God loves us and blesses us. God’s “face” is beautiful because he loves us so much! “Walking” in the light of God’s presence means to continually receive and appreciate God’s love and blessings. I think of God’s gracious face when I walk in the “golden hour,” the time just after sunrise and just before sunset, when the sunlight makes everything look radiant.

Continually receiving and appreciating God’s love and blessings—what a great way to live! And imagine what an impact that will have on our lives.

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to all the blessings that you give me. Help me to recognize and appreciate them, thanking you for your amazing grace. Amen.

Written by Angela Kom

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Daniel 2:20-22

Safe and Secure in Our Darkest Moments

At first glance, Daniel’s praise in this text sounds like a psalm for festival worship. But the setting is anything but bright.

Judah had fallen under God’s judgment. Jerusalem was destroyed, the temple had been demolished, and many were dragged into exile in Babylon. Among them was young Daniel.

I have lived in many countries by choice, but I cannot imagine the realities of this experience: torn from home, nation, and place of worship and forced into training to serve a pagan king. Stripped of freedom. For the Old Testament believer, the additional loss of temple worship and sacrifices—those signs pointing to the promised Messiah—must have felt like the deepest despair, both physically and spiritually.

To make matters worse, the arrogant King Nebuchadnezzar had decided that his troubling dream was a matter of life or death. He demanded it be revealed and explained—or his wise men would be cut into pieces. “No one on earth can do what the king asks,” his advisors cried in despair (verse 10). Daniel was under the same death sentence.

And yet, the faith of Daniel shines. He didn’t panic or scheme but instead asked the king for more time and immediately urged his friends to join him in prayer, pleading for mercy from the God of heaven.

What do you do in moments of despair? How different Daniel’s response is from mine. In moments of fear, I take swift action—rushing to people or Google, unloading my emotions, seeking quick solutions. My body panics, bracing itself for battle, convinced it will fight alone. I grasp for light in all the wrong places. But in mercy, God still calls me back to my knees, back to trust in him.

Daniel’s story points us to something beyond earthly rescues. It points us to the undeserved love of our heavenly Father. God didn’t have to, but he stooped down and revealed the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel, a heavenly rescue. In greater mercy, he has revealed the mystery of salvation to us.

Daniel’s God is our God—the revealer of mysteries. He gave us his story of divine rescue in the Bible so that the power of the gospel would shine into our darkest moments. We do not need to beg for deliverance; in Christ, deliverance is already ours. At the cross, Jesus endured judgment and death in our place. In his resurrection, he shattered the power of sin, death, and the devil. By faith, his victory becomes ours. Saved. Safe.

We may feel like exiles in a foreign land now, but this present reality is not forever. Our true home awaits. So, with Daniel, we proclaim: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever… he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” And in Christ, that light dwells in us.

Prayer: Lord of light and life, thank you for revealing the mystery of your love in Christ Jesus. When we feel surrounded by darkness or far from home, remind us that we are already saved and secure through his cross and resurrection. May your light dwell in us always, so that our hearts overflow with praise for you. Amen.

Written by Elise Gross

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

Face Your Fears

So, what’s keeping you up at night? What are you dreading? What holds you back from speaking up, taking a chance, or being fully yourself? What do you hope no one ever finds out? What’s your worst nightmare?

These fears are real. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. King David, the author of this psalm, knew fear firsthand. He faced armies at his door, endured malicious whispers and slander, and carried the weight of personal rejection. These fears weren’t imaginary—they were real, pressing, and sometimes overwhelming.

Yet David didn’t allow his fears to control him. Instead, he confronted them with the only power that could truly expose them for what they were. “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

Considering David’s life and experiences, he could have been tempted to write that differently. After all, he was king of Israel, loved by the Lord, and adored by the people. He could have said his reputation was his light, his accomplishments were his salvation, or his relationships were his stronghold.

But he didn’t. He knew that anything other than the Lord would eventually fail to withstand fear and the things causing it.

David’s own life was proof. He killed a loyal friend to be with a woman. Thousands died because of a plague brought on by his greed. His son destroyed his reputation to take the throne. David knew very well that only the Lord could stand firm. Only the Lord could cast a light that exposes fear for the empty threat it often is. Only the Lord could be a refuge against forces far beyond human control.

What about you? How do you face your fears? Do you find security in your relationships or your child’s accomplishments? In your influence, career, or that special someone? Perhaps money in the bank, a life insurance policy, or a clean bill of health makes you feel strong. All of these will one day fail, fizzle out, or disappear. And when they do, the fear you tried to manage on your own doesn’t vanish—it remains, often stronger than before.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. The Lord is your light. He shines into the darkness of your fear, revealing it for what it truly is: a shadow that cannot withstand his presence. The Lord is your salvation. Only Jesus can rescue you, redeem what is lost, and restore what is broken—and he has! The Lord is your stronghold. Even if the worst happens, nothing can touch the security of your soul.

Whatever you named at the beginning of this devotion—the thing that keeps you awake, anxious, or worried—you don’t need to fear it. Hear the words of David for yourself: the Lord is your light, your salvation, and your stronghold. When he stands in your corner, fear is powerless. The battle is already won, and your soul can rest.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, as we wait for you this Advent season, shine your light into the fears and anxieties that keep us awake, and remind us that you alone are our salvation and stronghold. Help us to trust you above all else, knowing that nothing in this world can overcome the security we have in your presence. Prepare our hearts to celebrate your coming so that we may live each day in the peace and courage only you can give. Amen.

Written by Dawn Schulz

I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:6-7

Bringing Light Into Our Lives

Isaiah 42 is one of the “Servant Songs” in the book of Isaiah. In these sections of Isaiah, the Lord talks to his Son. These sections of Isaiah are prophecies of the coming Messiah. The verses before our Bible reading describe the Messiah as:

• God’s chosen one in whom the Father delighted (verse 1). We think of Jesus’ baptism when the Father said, “This is my Son… with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
• One who would not shout or cry out, or raise his voice (verse 2). We think of Jesus remaining silent at his trials and going to the cross willingly.
• One who would not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick (verse 3). We think of Jesus gently and lovingly working with people, careful not to push them away.

In today’s reading, the Father says that he will call Jesus and take hold of his hand. God the Father directed every aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry. The Father says that Jesus will open eyes that are blind and free captives from prison. Jesus healed the blind, the deaf, and the sick. And what prison did Jesus free people from? Jesus’ death on the cross provided the forgiveness that freed us from the worst prison in the universe—the prison of hell.

God the Father also calls his Son a “light for the Gentiles.” Strictly speaking, the Gentiles are people who are not Jews. In this context, the Gentiles are unbelievers—unbelievers who sit in the darkness of sin, captive to the guilt and shame of their sin. Jesus called himself the “light of the world” (John 8:12). Jesus brings the light of forgiveness, life, and peace to those held captive to sin. We thank Jesus for bringing his light into our lives!

And where do we find ourselves in this reading? The apostle Paul said that he was appointed by the Lord to be a light for the nations so he could bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47). Paul proclaimed Jesus as he traveled the Roman world. When Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, he was commissioning them—and us!—to be lights for the nations to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Do you remember and realize how “dark” the world is? Do you live with the knowledge that everyone who doesn’t trust in Jesus will spend eternity in the darkness and misery of hell? You are the light that can share and reflect the eternal Light who has paid for the sins of the world. What a privilege. What a responsibility!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have given me the joyful responsibility to be a light to this sin-darkened world. Give me the courage and discipline I need to carry out your will for my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Written by Angela Kom