Day 7: In the darkness
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).
Creator God, Sovereign Lord, You are light; in You there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). In the beginning You spoke light, and there was light. You saw that the light was good and You separated the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:3-4).
And when spiritual darkness blanketed Your creation because of human sin and disobedience, You once again spoke light—through Jesus Christ Your Son, the Word who was in the beginning with God—who was God... In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind (John 1:1-4).
To a dark, hostile, turbulent world He came, "the rising sun from heaven, to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace" (Luke 1:78-79).
Only You, Prince of Peace, know the way to the path of peace—You are the Way (John 14:6). Only You, Light of the world, know the way to the abode of light (Job 38:19)—You are the light of life.
In this New Year, we face the age-old challenges of spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). We face violence and war, disease and devastation, disaster and destruction. We face ever-increasing uncertainty in political, economic, social, and business spheres. And we face new challenges yet unknown.
Guide our steps, Sovereign God, for we do not know the way ahead. We look to Your mercy, Your compassion, and Your providence. Deliver us from evil. Deliver us from fear and anxiety.
Help us to walk in the light as You are in the light, in the mutual support and interdependence of fellowship and community—cleansed and at peace with God through the blood of our Savior (1 John 1:7). Even in the midst of trouble and turmoil, keep our feet on the path of peace. Help us to live within the confident reality:
The Lord is God, and He has made His light shine on us... (Psalm 118:27).
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