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SHINING IN DARKNESS Tuesday 26 July

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye


MEMORIZE: “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5).

READ: John 1:4-5

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matt. 2:10). At what time do you see stars? They are hardly seen during the day, except at night. It is when darkness covers the earth that stars are revealed. In the other words, daylight may be so bright to the extent of covering the stars in the skyline. So it takes darkness to expose them. If you recognize that you are a star, you need not fear darkness as that is what will expose your shine. It takes a time of trouble to reveal true stars. That means, as darkness covers the earth and problems multiply, it is your time to shine. When darkness covered the land of Egypt and the Egyptians were about to lose their firstborns, the children of Israel were getting ready to shine forth in joy. In the midst of your darkness, you shall shine. In the midst of poverty, famine and pestilence, you shall stand out. The darkness shall not swallow you up. That problem you are in shall not swallow you up. John 1:5 says, “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”. Stars shine in darkness. Even when darkness intends to cover the glory of stars, it ends up bringing it out. The darkness that was meant to cover your glory shall instead expose it. In that office that is covered by darkness, you shall shine. No darkness can cover your glow from today.

Usually, stars celebrate at night and at such a time, there is a lot of feasting. The stars of this world are usually celebrated in a big way. For instance, in Esther 1:1-8, we read that the king organized a party which lasted for 120 days because he could afford it. However, it is noteworthy that the best meals are not always expensive. In those good old days, our forefathers ate simple meals: they got fresh vegetables from the garden, and water from the brook—simple yet very healthy meals. In Daniel 1:11-15, Daniel and his three friends took water and beans for 10 days and they were better looking than those who ate delicacies from the king’s table. The simple meal they ate also made them mentally superior to their counterparts (Dan. 1:19). The best meal is therefore the meal which builds you physically and helps you shine mentally. There is no better meal that can do this than the body of Christ taken during the Holy Communion. How often do you eat this uncommon meal?


KEY POINT:
It is only a star that sees darkness as an opportunity to shine, while others see it as a hindrance. How do you view darkness? Shine in Jesus name.

Bible in One year: Deut. 17-19

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