A ray of hope in a world of darkness
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance (2 Peter 3:1, KJV)
Remembering what God has spoken is very important. It is a mental process but it has a spiritual impact. Forgetting what God has said to us is a foundation for defeat. Peter said he wanted to stir up the minds of the believers by way of remembrance. This is one of the reasons why we read and reread the scriptures again and again so that it can be hidden in our hearts and always fresh on our minds. In the days we are living in right now, it is important to remind ourselves that God has spoken to us already about such things. Let me remind you of what God has said:
“For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And gross darkness the people: But the LORD shall arise upon thee, And his glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:2, KJV)
He says, “the darkness shall cover the earth”. This darkness is not physical darkness or the night. It is talking of the darkness of sin, evil and demonic activity with its accompanying manifestations, including suffering and bondage. The Lord has told us already that darkness shall cover the earth. At the beginning of 2019, I shared a series of devotionals on what God is saying will happen to the world. The world is NOT getting better. You do not need a prophet to tell you about some dream or vision. It is clear in the Word. Things are not getting better for the world. However, He continues and says “ but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee”. That means when the darkness covers the world, the glory of the Lord, a light from heaven will be seen upon thee. I pray you get what this means!
When the world is dark, for example, with the current covid-19 pandemic, the deaths, fears, and world-wide turmoil, your life will be like a candle in the dark. For example, disease is darkness. Healing or health is light. Do you see the blessing? When the world is battling deadly diseases, you will be the one standing in health and even ministering healing and restoration to those who are suffering around you. This is what the light means. It does not mean some light will be shining on your face. It refers to your experience of the beauties and excellencies of the Lord and your works in ministering the same to others! You u will be a ray of hope in the midst of the dark world. That implies while the world is getting darker, your life is destined to get brighter. I have shared this before and will repeat it here. These are the best days to be a Christian. I know these words might be hard to receive. As the darkness increases, the manifestation of the glory multiplies. That means some of you who have never experienced the power and the presence of God will be shocked to realize how much of the glory is operating in your life because grace will be multiplied. You will realize that you will speak to demons and see God’s power in display. You will see His hand upon your finances, marriage, ministry, etc. like never before. In summary, you will see God in ways prior generations of Christians did not. It is not your doing. It is the Lord’s plan and purposes for the season!
The grace and the accompanying glory of God increase when the darkness increases. Well, if the Lord does not increase grace, who will be able to survive the darkness? You are not designed to be part of the darkness that is on the earth, and is still coming. Remember, the world is not getting better and you are not of the world, but of God. The challenge is that we will have to continue living in the world, which is getting darker but continue to hold the light of God’s power, presence and glory without being afraid of the darkness or covered by it. Brethren arise and shine! Do not be overwhelmed by what is happening. You are the light of hope. You are the healing to the world. You are the source of comfort and encouragement. You are the light in the darkness!
MEDITATE
I want you to get your mind ready by thinking about what I have written above that the world is not getting better. Are you ready for this? However, the glory of God has been multiplied in your life. Are you also prepared for this? Are you able to shine in a dark world without being frightened by the darkness?
APPLY THE WORD
Let there be a shift in your mindset. Think about the glory. Think about shining. Think about the light of God upon you as the ray of hope for the current darkness. What does that mean? You are the light for the nations that are plunged in darkness!
PRAY
Bless the Lord for speaking to us about things to come and ask Him to strengthen you to shine as the ray of hope in the darkness.
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