‘the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”’ Matthew 4:1(NLT)
‘But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”’ Ephesians 5:13-14(NLT)
‘If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ‘ Jeremiah 29:13(NLT)
‘Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord ’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.’ Isaiah 53:1-6(NLT)
‘He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.’ Isaiah 53:7-9(NLT)
‘But it was the Lord ’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord ’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.’ Isaiah 53:10-12(NLT)
The light came to shine in the darkness. The way came to lead the lost. The truth came to confront the lie. The life came to die to overcome death. But our eyes see so dimly that it’s difficult to see the light for who He is. The light has dawned but we sleep in. Will we wake up (Ephesians 5:13-14) and put forth the effort to get out of bed spiritually?
Do we take Jesus for granted? Our actions reflect this as we walk right past Him. We fill our days with so many seemingly important things that we just don’t have time for Him. We can have personal time with Jesus Christ whenever we want. Yet we don’t.
Noah walked with God. Abraham was a friend of God. Moses met with God face to face. God’s desire is for us to walk with Him, for Him to be our best friend, and for us to meet with Him face to face.
The Lord says if you seek Him you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Are you willing to admit, for as much as you can see, that you are blind and need Him to open your eyes? Our human eyes see so dimly, but when we ask He will answer. He will open our eyes, and give us light to see. As we respond to that light, He will give us more light. The light of life will dawn anew in our hearts, and we will be filled to overflowing with the light himself.
PRAISE HIM
Jesus is our light to dispel the darkness of sin. Praise Him and affirm His character. Read Isaiah 53:1-6 with deep gratitude and praise.
ADMIT TO HIM
Read Isaiah 53:7-9. Despised, forsaken, pierced, crushed. He took all the sorrow, grief, and punishment that our sin deserved. What do you want to admit to Him about your sin?
THANK HIM
Read Isaiah 53:10-12. Thank Him that we have been purchased by His death from the kingdom of darkness and now, because of His sacrifice, are citizens of the light.
ASK HIM
Lord, I lay my heart before you and ask you that . . .
TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART AND BRINGING IT TO LIFE
Choose one truth from today and apply it to your heart. Take it with you throughout the day.
from Jesus, I Need You Part 5