"I want to walk as a child of the light; I want to follow Jesus. God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus. In Him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
"I'm looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus. When we have run with patience the race, We shall know the joy of Jesus. In Him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus."
We are fascinated by the beauty and mystery of the stars. Astronomers indulge that fascination and add to our knowledge. Astrologers with their horoscopes wrongly attribute to the stars the power to determine human events, a power the stars do not have. The stars are created things, and their existence and movements are ordained by their Creator. "He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names" (Psalm 147:4). We have also named stars-Polaris, Rigel, Sirius, and many others. Named and nameless, the stars bring light to the night sky and help travelers find their way. The "star" that we love and follow has a God-given Name. "The star of my life is Jesus."
Our guiding star is the God who created the stars, and who was born among us to be our Savior. He said of Himself, "I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning Star" (Revelation 22:16b). Jesus, God the Son, took on human flesh to suffer the penalty of death that we deserved for wandering from God's Word and ways, for following false stars. We are created anew in Baptism as children of light, and now we follow Jesus, the bright sun and guiding star of our lives. As both Scripture and our hymn proclaim, in Him there "is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5b).
As we walk with Jesus in the light, and "run with patience the race" that is set before us, we look forward to what lies ahead. But we are not just enjoying the scenery, although we do appreciate the beauty of the world our Creator has made. We are watching for the finish line, searching for an event yet to come. We do not know when He will return, but we are "looking for the coming of Christ," that great day when our crucified and risen Lord will raise us bodily from death, as He was raised, and welcome us into His presence forever. The race we have patiently run will come to its end. We will live in the place that Jesus has prepared for us, a home that has no need of stars or sun "for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb" (Revelation 21:23b).
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, as we await Your return, lead us by Your Word to walk as children of light. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light," which is found on page 411 of the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
1. What are the things you find most fascinating about the universe?
2. Can you describe a little bit about how there is no darkness in Jesus? What does that mean to you?
3. How can we "walk as a child of the light" in our day-to-day lives?
Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 1-2 Acts 26
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