A light from heaven
At midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. Acts 26:13
I lived in the dark for a lot of years. I had the light inside me, but He was buried deep down and could not be seen. Then one day I realized that I didn’t want to hide His light any longer. I turned back in the direction of my Lord and began to follow Him. Now His light shines for all to see in my life. When I go out into the dark world, I bring Him with me to light my steps along His path. Sometimes people are drawn to the light and sometimes they run away. His light can be blinding to those who have been in the dark for so long. They fear the light because they do not understand or know what He is their hope of salvation.
In today’s reading, the apostle Paul told Festus and Agrippa about the day he was knocked to the ground by the light of Love. His testimony about the day he met Jesus is an extreme account of what happens to each of us when we first encounter Him. It goes something like this:
- One day in every person’s life they hear about or experience the presence of God. He comes as a bright light to expose the darkness an individual is living in. This dramatic meeting is with the transformative power of the Light of God’s love displayed in the blood of Jesus that penetrates even the darkest corners of a life. It also reminds each one that no matter how thick the darkness is, the light of God’s love will dispel it when received.
- When the light comes, the Holy Spirit will speak to the heart of those it shines on. He reveals God’s desire to have a personal relationship with each person and to be a guide out of the darkness around them. This is when each person is faced with the decision to receive or reject this great offer.
- Once received the call comes. As Paul heard from Jesus on the road, each one will hear the call to follow Him and turn in a different direction than they were currently going. Repent, and live the life that was designed for each person to walk out.
- At that point, He rescues them out of the darkness they had been walking in and now they carry the light of God with them wherever they go. Now, these are the ones that shine His light in the darkness to lead others out of the pits of life into Him marvelous love.
- Others can hear the message of salvation and forgiveness. They no longer have to live in the darkness groping about guessing at every turn in the road. Now they live in the light and can lead the way for others to see His goodness.
What about you? No doubt you have had your own Damascus Road experience. Oh, I’m sure it was not as dramatic as Paul’s, but it changed your life like nothing else ever had. Now you carry His light and His love. Share that message with those who need the light in their lives. Soon you will be the leader of many who need the darkness to flee, and they will follow His light as you shine it for all to see.
Today I want to encourage you to let His light shine in your life. In the dark world we live in, be the hope of something more beyond this place. If you have never had a personal experience with the light of heaven, invite Him into your life today and turn your steps toward His direction. It isn’t hard and all are welcome. You can ask Him into your life by praying from your heart the prayer below. When you do, you will encounter His light and then carry it with you for others to see His great love and salvation.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:12-18
12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
The Daily Dose 