Day 20: Lighting Up The Night

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:13-15 (NLT)

Devotional:
I love Christmas lights! I’m not a fan of the commercial insanity but the metaphor of us lighting up the night in order to celebrate when the light of world was born is powerful!

Christmas isn’t always merry for everyone. It can be a season of great pain and sorrow. The world can be a very dark place. When we read the account of the incarnation of Christ we often overlook the horrors. He was forced to flee from horrific persecution. Nevertheless in doing so He was able to fulfill a messianic prophecy, coming out of Egypt.

Our enemies are often gateways to our purpose. The pain we experience is often an usher into our destiny. If the Pharisees never hated Jesus, He wouldn’t have been crucified to save us! God is not the author of our pain but He will use every bit of it to shape us and raise us up for His greatest glory and our ultimate good.

Our idolization of comfort can lead to complacency. No, we shouldn’t look for trouble, but we shouldn’t live for comfort either. Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. We should see our pain as a servant of our purpose and seek God in the midst of the darkness. Let Him set us a blaze like candles piercing the night. Let us partner with God in lighting up the dark skies.

Reflect:
How are you receiving and responding to the comfort of the Holy Spirit in the tender areas of your heart and life?

Application:
How are you partnering with God to use the pain and sorrow of your life to shape you?
What is God telling you to do?

Prayer:
Father, the pain of this world is real. The darkness we walk through is unmistakable. I ask that you would comfort every one of us walking through pain and sorrow; enduring great struggle. Help us to receive your love and comfort and use our pain as a servant of our purpose, of your ultimate glory and goodness. In the powerful and loving name of Jesus we pray, amen.