Think about light and darkness and the way they affect your ability to see. In the dark, we have no sense of direction or courage to move forward, but in the light, everything is clear. In a very real sense, this perspective holds true in the spiritual realm as well. Those who dwell in spiritual darkness cannot perceive realities about God.
Thankfully, the Lord has the power to help us discern truth. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). That’s why the phrase “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” is the perfect description of the message of salvation (2 Cor. 4:4). It’s the good news that can transfer someone from spiritual darkness to light (Colossians 1:13).
Those who have trusted Jesus as Savior are now “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). God calls each of us to carry the gospel to an unbelieving world that cannot see in the dark. It’s important for our lifestyle to be distinct from the darkness around us. In your daily interactions, are you a light bearer who points the way to Christ?
Psalm 51
There are many urgent and practical needs in the world, such as those related to marginalized communities, natural disasters, and struggling families. As a result, prioritizing time with the Lord in His Word and prayer may seem less pressing, but it’s not. Let’s consider reasons for making meditation a daily practice in our life.
The primary reward of meditating on Scripture is personal intimacy with God. Think of a good friend or family member. Your closeness did not simply appear out of nowhere. Rather, it is the result of a long-standing, close-knit relationship of love, trust, and regular interaction. We cannot grow close to God unless we make it a point to spend time with Him.
Meditation also enables us to develop a pure heart. We see this clearly in the repentance of King David in Psalm 51. Because of his close relationship with God, David could not hide from his own sin. In verse 3, he cries, “For I know my wrongdoings, and my sin is constantly before me.”
David’s painful self-awareness led him into reconciliation with the Lord. In the same way, when we allow our relationship with God to permeate the darkest places of our heart, we too can find the strength to repent and receive His amazing forgiveness.
The time we spend with God in His Word and prayer has an impact on our daily life. As we focus on the Lord and His power, glory, and favor, our perspective becomes increasingly aligned with His. He becomes greater, and our problems and worries become smaller.
The apostle Paul was certainly mindful of this. In his letter to the Ephesians, he actively prayed for himself and others to receive a greater understanding of God and all He’s provided for His people through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:15-19).
When we begin to see the Lord through enlightened eyes, the whole world—including its stresses and challenges—becomes much clearer, as does our understanding of how to deal with difficulties. As a result, the pressures of life begin to dissipate. Although we cannot escape trouble, we can rest in the peace Jesus promises us (John 16:33).
Our time in meditation provides many personal benefits, but these should not be our only reason for spending time with the Lord. The goal is to know God, draw near to Him in fellowship, and enjoy the blessings that accompany an intimate relationship with Him.
Do you struggle with anxiety, frustration, and fear? Sometimes these feelings arise when we doubt God’s ability to fix a problem or protect us or a loved one. At other times we’re distressed because we question His willingness to handle a situation. Such uncertainties can develop from a lack of knowledge about God’s character, confusion regarding His promises, or a misunderstanding of His plans. That’s why it’s important to fill our mind with the truths of Scripture. Focusing on the Lord’s sufficiency instead of our circumstances gives us hope and strength.
There are many situations that may cause our faith to waver. It could be that our own sin prompts us to question the truth of the Scriptures in order to justify ourselves. Or previous failures might lead to a pessimistic outlook about current and future situations. What’s more, we have an enemy who reminds us of past mistakes and times when our prayers appeared to go unanswered. Satan’s age-old technique of questioning God’s truthfulness can make us wonder whether the Lord is trustworthy.
When doubts surface, confess them to God. Then recall past instances of His faithfulness and meditate on His promises. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into truth so you can stand firm.
Scripture teaches that God hears and answers when we make requests according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). Although our Father is always faithful to guide us in specific situations, He also wants us to know His big goals for us, which are described throughout His Word. Today’s passage from Hebrews 13 is one such example.
With regard to both character and deeds, God’s purpose for believers can be summed up in these two requests from Hebrews 13:21:
• His goal is to “equip [us] in every good thing to do His will.” He wants us to depend fully on Him to accomplish the good works He planned beforehand for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). These include righteous living in obedience to His Word as well as fruitful service in His name and to His people.
• God is “working in us that which is pleasing in His sight.” As the Father shapes us into the image of His Son, He is transforming our character so we’ll have a heart bent toward pleasing Him. Otherwise, all our good works are useless.
When you ask God to accomplish these two things in your life, you can be sure He will.
