READ: PSALMS 32:1-11; 103:4; JOHN 8:12; ACTS 26:9-18

Blinking open his eyes he looked out into darkness.

“How long have I been here?” he asked the darkness.

“Innumerable days,” came the melancholy response.

“How long shall I stay here?” he asked the darkness.

“An insurmountable time,” came the dreary response.

“Who shall stay with me?” he asked the darkness.

“None but your shadow,” came the disdainful response.

Then, a light flickered in the corner of his sight. A soft glow, glowing ever brighter.

“How long have I been here?” he asked the light.

“Long enough, my dear child,” came the loving response.

“How long shall I stay here?” he asked the light.

“Not a moment longer. Come and return to me,” came the guiding response.

“Who shall go with me?” he asked the light.

“My spirit shall guide you forever, no matter how far you stray,” came the gracious response.

A single tear of joy streaked his face as he now saw to whom he spoke.

“Then my Lord, I’ve but one last question. When may we leave?” • Gracee Terrell

• Have you ever felt you’ve strayed so far from God that He couldn’t possibly want you back? Sin is like a hopeless, dark pit. But God tells us in His Word that He always wants to restore us, and that Jesus is the One who seeks and saves us (Luke 15:1-32; 19:10; 1 Timothy 2:4-6). Jesus is the Light, and because He died for our sins and rose again, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is forgiven and saved from the darkness of sin and death (Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 2:9). Once we belong to Jesus, nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39). No matter how far we fall, God will always be there to guide us back. He works through His Word (the Bible), His people (the church), and His Spirit—who guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Even when we forget our identity as beloved children of light, He mercifully reminds us of His love and truth and helps us follow Him faithfully (Ephesians 5:8-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11).

“…to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me [Jesus].” Acts 26:18 (NIV)