Our scripture this week is John 1:1-14, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Does it seem that we live in a dark time? The virus we try to avoid and tame, political, economic and social issues, all of these seem ready to overwhelm us at any time. Our inclination might be to give up in desperation, feeling we are powerless against these things.
We are powerless in our own strength but through Christ all things are possible. The Apostle Paul writes “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:36-37). Faith in the Lord and His promise to be with us always gives us the courage to face adversity.
The trials we must endure may be hard but they are no match for the power of the Lord, for we know how the story ends: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (v. 5). Jesus came to save us from our sin and show us how to live. Put your trust in Him and He will give you strength to meet the challenges of life and the blessing of life everlasting.
Wise and wonderful God, we are weak without You. Send us Your light and love that we may be the people You intend, sharing the Good News with everyone. Amen.