Light Shines in the Darkness

For you have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, so that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Psalm 56:13
Life is a major theme in the scriptures. But if you're paying any attention at all, you'll see that it's not biological life the Bible is talking about. God-given life in the Spirit is the real subject, from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22.

At the heart of all this talk of life is the resurrection of Jesus Christ—a universe shattering event that both defines life and gives it. It's odd that most of us talk about the resurrection only as something that happened to Jesus on Easter morning, or that will happen to us at the end of time. The resurrection shines light on our path in the here and now. Because Christ lives, I, too, am empowered to live—not biologically, but spiritually.

In the early church, stories circulated about how God broken into the apostle's lives in wondrous ways: Peter in chains, Saul on the road to Damascus. Even if we don't experience such miracles, we can nonetheless see ways that light shines in our darkness and the chains that hold us back are removed. And if we don't experience these things, perhaps we need only to take the first step in faith to experience life in the Spirit.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists.
 Acts 12:7
After thinking about today's devotion pray these hymn lyrics:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay 
fast-bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray, 
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
The chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed thee.
Amazing Love! How can it be
that thou, my God, should'st die for me?
 
After your own thanksgivings & petitions, close with the Lord's Prayer.

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