The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
Isaiah 9:2, ESV
Prior to coming to Christ and believing in Him as Lord and Savior, we all walk in darkness. Jesus is the only source of light in the world, and when he claims us, it is His light that shines through us. A candle exudes no light on its own, but it requires a flame, and as long as it is being fed, the light will continue to shine through it. Prior to Jesus, we have no light in us. Some may believe themselves to be good and, in worldly standards, we may do things that bring good to another, yet it is not the same. As our Lord enters into our lives, there is a transformation that occurs. The light that shines out of us is His glory and mercy and all we are able to do is point others to Him. We can neither save nor condemn another. We can’t even save ourselves from condemnation, but only through Christ is salvation achieved. The Chosen People of Israel lost sight of this over and over again. They quickly forgot to keep God’s statutes before them even when God’s present was easily visible as a pillar of smoke or fire. Our hope does not come in what our eyes and our minds perceive as being good, but in the One that is truly God and on Him we are meant to keep our eyes fixed.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.