|
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.
- Revelation 22:5
Sunset 4:51 PM
This evening, darkness will come over the land before the workday is done. My kids will sit in school the entire day, finish basketball practice, and open the gym door--to darkness. Parents will return home, after a long day of work, following crimson tail lights in rush hour"s traffic--in darkness. Our days start in darkness and end in darkness. Yes, it is that dark time of year creeping ever darker until the winter solstice on December 21st. I don’t like it.
So I sit gazing out my office window, and joyfully ponder what evenings in Eagle, Colorado were like in July. Restaurant patios were filled with friends and families enjoying their favorite food. Parks were teaming with kids laughing and playing. Golf courses were lined with white carts and shimmering clubs, and an occasional cry of profane-laced despair. The creek is filled with joyful dogs and fumbling fishermen. But now, it seems everyone is hibernating with the bears. Why? Sunset is at 4:51 pm. Without the light of the sun, darkness rules the evening.
In our sin, we live in darkness and despair. Covered in pride-filled shame, we would be destined for darkness--forever without God’s mercy and grace. Jesus, when telling a story to illustrate the point, said the unfaithful servant would be cast into the “outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Apart from Christ, that’s where we would dwell--in the dark not just for a season, but forever! Read God’s Word and you will not be left in the dark. . .
Isaiah the prophet, when speaking of the coming Messiah wrote,
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned. - Isaiah 9:2
The Apostle John said,
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. - John 1:5
Jesus said,
“I am the light of the world.” - John 9:5
-and-
“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 12:46
Brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus is the light of the world,! The Apostle John said there will be a time when we won’t even need a flashlight to see. A day is coming when the sun will go down and never come up again. Why? It won’t be needed! The Lord God will be the only Light we need. The Son IS the light of the world and he will come back and take us to be with him forever!
See you Sunday as we conclude The Story- chapter 31 “The End of Time.”
I can’t wait!
Pastor Austin
| 
