Shine! – The Presidential Prayer Team

Proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9

There has probably been a time in your life when the lights went out. You stumbled around, bumping foot or knee into the coffee table you were sure you had avoided. You just couldn’t see anything. Spiritual darkness is similar. Unregenerate people live in that darkness, stumbling through their lives, not always sure just where they are. But there is a Light, an Illuminator, and no darkness can remain in His presence. You may have times when you find yourself literally in the dark but, when you know Jesus, your soul is filled with His light.

In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Pastor John Piper, wrote, “The light of Christ is the brightness of God shining on the retina of the human soul.” Only Jesus can remove the soul’s darkness. In relationship with the Savior, your soul will find His brightness. Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary on this verse, “Christ is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world, so does one Christ and there needs no more.”

Jesus passed His light to His followers. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “YOU are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

How brightly are you shining for the Lord today? Ask Him to reveal any darkness that has crept into your life, then repent and Jesus will deal with it. There are members of the federal judiciary who are Christ-followers. Pray that the decisions they make will have the illumination of the Lord, and that their lights will shine.

Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 2:9

⁹But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: John 1:1-10

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

⁹The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.