2 Peter 1:16-19 – For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…
- Reflect On: 2 Peter 1:16-19
- Praise God: For bringing you into the light of His presence.
- Offer Thanks: Because God has a unique purpose for your life.
- Confess: Any tendency to resist God’s purpose because of fear or insecurity.
- Ask God: To strengthen your hope.
… [In my past,] I didn’t realize my life was a story God was writing. As far as I knew, I had grabbed the pen right out of my hand, refusing to believe He even existed. I was intent on enjoying life on my terms, determined to write my life the way I wanted it to be. Trouble was, I seemed to be suffering from writer’s block.
Looking back, I realize God hadn’t entirely let go of the script. He was using the shadows—my insecurities and fears—to drive me toward His light. When I finally admitted the truth—that I was headed nowhere unless God led the way—I felt my fear about the future suddenly lift. I didn’t have to face it alone. God was real and He cared about me. Instead of being depressed, I felt excited. Life had a purpose—my life had a purpose. I had ideas about where I was headed and how to get there. In the midst of my conversion I felt suddenly transported from midwinter darkness to midsummer light.
William D. Watley…captures the kind of transformation I am talking about:
We usually think of stars as nighttime luminaries, but the morning star announces the beginning of a new day. Who can testify that “since I met Jesus, it’s a new day now”? I used to be bound by the devil, but since I met Jesus, it’s a new day now. I used to have low self-esteem and was in a constant self-destruct mode, but since I met Jesus, it’s a new day now. I’ve put down my blues guitar and picked up a tambourine of praise. It’s a new day now. People and things that used to upset me don’t bother me anymore. It’s a new day now. Fear that used to paralyze me and guilt that used to beat me up have lost their hold upon me. It’s a new day now. Glory, glory hallelujah since I laid my burden down—it’s a new day now.
It is a new day for anyone who belongs to Christ. We still have problems. We still struggle. But good stories never develop without conflict. The truth is that Christ has set us on a new course, infusing our lives with His light, His presence, and His purpose.
Join me today in hailing Jesus, our Bright Morning Star, the one who fills us with expectation for a day that will never end, when darkness and death will be words we barely remember. Together, let us lift up our hands, throw away our caution, and shout aloud: “Glory, glory hallelujah! It’s a new day now!”
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