Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, September 7, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-09-07-2017

This is devotional thought number 76 in our devotional series, “Essentials of Faith.” Our final subject is: Rejoicing in the Lord

Here’s the question for consideration: If I am Christ’s ambassador and people see me, will they think serving Him is attractive?

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” (Matthew 5:14–17).

Amazing! I find it amazing that God would share His shine with us. Can you imagine? We faulty human beings seldom want to share the spotlight with people who’ve actually co-contributed to an effort or cause, yet our God, who’s the Author and Finisher of all that is good in what we do, shares His shine with us. What a wonderful God we serve.

So, what’s the purpose? Why would God share His shine with us? Why would He say that we are the light of the world? Notice how He continues the thought in our theme text by saying that a city set atop a hill cannot be hidden. It’s visible to all, considering its elevation. Lit candles are never hidden. The entire purpose for a lit candle is to provide light to all within its sphere of light. If the candle is lit in a dark place and you are in proximity, you will be able to see. This is God’s goal for us. He has called us to reflect His brightness as Saturn reflects the rays of the Sun. And considering the light, which God is, is responsible for giving people victory over sin, diminishing the devil’s power of deception in people’s lives, and creating citizens of God’s eternal kingdom, it stands to reason that God’s ambassadors manifest the same characteristics. Inasmuch as we continue to dwell in God’s presence, and welcome Him to be in control of our lives, we will generate interest of others. Other frail human beings, who recognize we are also recovering sin-a-holics, will be drawn to the One who has given us the victories we now enjoy. They will see that we’ve learned to love. They will notice that we exhibit self-control in the most difficult situations. They will recognize that temptations to do evil are steadily losing influence. They will admire the peace we have. They will yearn for that, and more, from God. Our lives will attract them to Him. They will soon discover, if they choose to surrender self to God, that He is an equal opportunity God. He stands ready, willing, and available to shed His light into anyone’s life who will trust in Him. The cool thing about it is that, when He does so, He miraculously acts out His divine law through our lives. That law that so many feel cannot be kept, Jesus writes in our hearts and empowers us to keep it, thereby vindicating His Father’s character in the presence of all who see us.

God’s sharing His shine. Why not let Him share it with you?—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)