God's word SHINES in our dark places
Keyword shines (verb): to emit rays of light, to be conspicuously evident or clear
“We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
2 Peter 1:19 CSB
Sometimes our dark places are not just places. The darkness has moved inside of us, and we feel like our hearts have turned off. Nothing feels right or good. It’s like the power has gone out and we can’t see anything. Everything seems so much harder.
When we lose power at our house, I get so disoriented. What used to be familiar is not, and my steps are tentative rather than sure. Noises scare me, but so does the quiet.
It’s such a relief to find a flashlight or a candle. Even a little flicker of light helps me in so many ways.
It reminds me of what is around me.
It helps me find my way.
And it gives me a sense of calm.
When our hearts feel like dark places, we need this promise. We need to know that Jesus sees us stumbling around in the dark, and that he brings us hope.
He promises that the truth of his words will light our way until he returns.
Peter wrote about all this truth and light and hope after experiencing something terrifying and incredible. Jesus had taken him (along with James and John) to a high mountain away from everyone else. Mark 9:2-7 describes what they saw and heard:
He was transfigured in front of them, and his clothes became dazzling–extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them...
Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus…
A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!”
So, when Peter talks about light, I want to pay attention.
That’s what he is encouraging us to do in this verse. To pay attention, to focus on Jesus–the light of the world, and the words of truth that he has given us.
Jesus will remind us of what is around us–his kind and constant presence, his protective angels, his absolute power to help and heal and answer our prayers.
Jesus will help us find our way–we can keep going as he shines his light on our next step. We don’t always know exactly where our paths will lead, but we can trust that he is taking us somewhere good.
and Jesus will give us a sense of calm–his indescribable peace will wrap around us and lift us out of our fear and depression.
He is coming back for us, and his Spirit is here with us now. Because of Jesus, we have real hope even in the darkest places. Our hearts will be full of light again.
Dear Jesus, you are the light of the world, and you can shine in the darkest places. I want to trust you with my heavy heart today. Thank you for your power, your truth, and the hope of your presence. Amen.