Night Is as Day to God 2nd Wednesday in Advent Read: Psalm 139:7-12 “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.’” Psalm 139:11-12 (NIV)

In 1991 when I nannied in Wales, I took several trips to London when I had time off. I travelled by bus and also by the underground to where I stayed with a friend. One time I remember while on the underground train, the lights went out, the air conditioner stopped, and it became blackness. I remember being terrified as in the darkness, with no light, the mind plays tricks and makes up scary scenarios in the darkness. Around me I could also hear people crying and calling out. After a couple minutes (seemed like hours), all the power came back on, and we went on our way.

Being in the dark, out of control and cast into the unknown is terrifying. King David must have felt like this at times to write Psalm 139, which tells us that no matter where we go, no matter what we do, or how far away from God we may feel… He is always there. God is omnipresent (everywhere at one time) and omniscient (all-seeing). Even the darkness is not dark to God, but it is as light as day. God shines His light in all our dark places – we can never hide from God, which is so comforting to know He is always looking over us and hearing us in all situations.

When I was caught in the underground in London, I felt so alone, so out of control. With God, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. When events or crises occur in our lives it is wonderful to know that we are not alone, and God has promised that ‘This too will pass’. During these times it is hard to hold onto the hope of the unknown. But know when you cannot hold onto hope – Jesus is holding on to you leading and guiding you through the dark places.

Place your love and trust in a God who will never leave you – you are never alone even in the darkest places. There is no darkness with God – only the light of His presence and love! Prayer: Guiding God, send light into my heart and life especially during the dark times. Hold onto me and never let me go. With you beside me I know that I can get through anything. Thank you. Amen.

Clarity of Understanding Read: Psalm 119:129-135 “The unfolding of your words gives light… Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees.” Psalm 119:130a, 135 (NIV)

I remember sitting in my year 11 chemistry class listening to Mr Bowden explaining about the chemical elements and their relationship to each other and how we use our knowledge of the periodic table to be able to draw the chemical equations representing the chemical reactions. I was so confused and did not understand what was being talked about at all. It sounded like another foreign language. Does this hold true to you with any of the classes you took at school? I remember going home and asking my brother James – a chemistry teacher to explain it all again.

This time I understood most but needed to go back again and again to James for clarification. The Bible is much like that, which is why we go to church and have Bible Studies to clarify what God is saying to us through His Word. During the service we hear the Pastor in the sermon explaining and giving us background as to why God is saying this, or why He is doing that. As humans we cannot expect to understand God’s ways immediately, but like in the verse above, we gain light and clarity through the unfolding of God’s Words through those who have also studied and asked the questions from others.

Bible study is so important to pursue as a Christian. It opens God’s plans and shows us His unfailing love for us through sending His Son Jesus as a human baby to live as a human with all the human experiences. God is a compassionate and loving God who created each of us in His image and ultimately wants the whole of humankind to be saved. As we come to the beginning of a new church year, and the end of a calendar year, make a resolution to attend a study with others to learn, discuss and grow in God’s Word to illuminate your understanding of the Scriptures and God’s incredible love and plan for all the world. We can never be too busy to learn about God from His Word! Prayer: Lord God, open your Word to me that I may understand and grow in the knowledge of your plan for my life. Help me to continue to grow and learn with others. Amen.

A Light for Our Path 2nd Monday in Advent Read: Psalm 119:105-112 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

I think one of the first songs I heard from Amy Grant was ‘Thy Word’ which is based on this Bible verse: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path When I feel afraid Think I’ve lost my way Still you’re there right beside me And nothing will I fear As long as you are near Please be near me to the end” This song made a huge impact on me as it was one of the first Christian songs I had heard on the radio – not a hymn! It was written in 1984, forty years ago when Christian music consisted primarily of hymns. Amy Grant was one of the first Christian artists who gained fame and produced albums that crossed over from Christian music into mainstream pop.

God’s Word touched Amy’s heart and she released this song on her sixth album when she was 23 years old. God’s Word provides guidance and direction in life, helping us understand and navigate our journey through our lives. It provides a way so that we don’t have to stumble and not know what God’s wants from us. The Bible provides us with both law and gospel. The law shows us where we are doing wrong and going the wrong way; and the gospel directs us lovingly through God’s grace. We need both law and gospel to understand and navigate our lives.

God knew that… giving us this verse in the Bible telling us that the Bible is our guide. Being a Christian is to believe in Jesus Christ and His teaching and ministry. God has given us the New Testament which tells us of Jesus and the incredible love of a Creator God who gave His Son’s life for all of humankind. The whole of the Bible is God’s story telling of a sinful world, that has been forgiven and loved, nonetheless.

God has provided a clear path of understanding to what God wants for us in His Word, the Bible. It is a light to guide and live by. To live like a Christian is to live like Christ, who followed God’s teachings perfectly. Prayer: Guide me Lord with your Word. Show me your path so that I can follow it. Thank you for forgiving me all the wrong ways when I turn away from you and light the path for me to follow. Amen