LIGHTING THE CANDLE

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this 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

Discouraged by world events, I went out early one morning this past June to watch for the sunrise. I was weighed down by the pandemic, death, injustice, rioting, and the tearing of our social fabric. But it was then that I saw it! I saw the Morning Star, Venus, shining in the darkness, heralding the coming of day.

I stood for some moments fixed on the Morning Star’s light, thinking of our Lord Jesus as Scripture’s Morning Star! The whole Bible wraps up with Jesus’ promise: “I am the root and descendant of David, the bright and morning star” (Revelation 22:16b). Jesus connects the many prophecies of David and others about Him, to His coming again to bring the light of God’s new Day.

In today’s scripture, the apostle Peter likens the Scripture’s “prophetic message” about Jesus to a lamp shining in a dark place. The many prophecies assuring Christ’s sufferings, now past, will be followed by the glorious light of His return! For Jesus is the bright and Morning Star whose promise to us is sure: “There will be no night… There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the order of old things has passed away” (Revelation 22:5; 21:4).

The apostle Peter says we “do well to be attentive to the lamp” of prophecies about Jesus’ coming, for the prophecies of His coming are a “lamp shining in a dark place.” They give us hope and courage in dark times like today, “until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

If you are up early in the morning, why not join me! Let’s go outside and look to the east and see the Morning Star promising the coming Day! Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

PALMS DOWN/PALMS UP

PRAYER

Loving Father, in dark times we want to look to the light of Jesus’ coming for us and to His new Day! At this Advent, we not only remember His first Advent as a tiny baby but eagerly look for His second Advent as glorious King. Today, by your Holy Spirit, help us to take courage and to live in the light of your eternal Day. Amen.