(Day 21) Seeking God Through His Word, Prayer, and Fasting

St. John 3:16-21 & Romans 13:8-14

The Word of God is sure, steadfast, and true. We gain understanding in it, wisdom, and strength. God's Word exposes us, revealing to our hearts where we have come up short and are in need of God to work in us. His Word illuminates the face of Jesus and as we earnestly gaze into it, we are changed. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). We receive an impartation of His power and learn wisdom principles to live by. The apostle Peter said of the Word, We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts - (2 Peter 1:19). The prophetic Word of God is the surest of evidences that we can have of the reality of God, His control over human history, and detailed knowledge of future things.

Peter tells us that we will do well to take heed to the Word, meaning we will be blessed when we hear and obey it. As a light shines in a dark place, the Word of God gives us light to be able to navigate through life; Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). As we go through life, we're often in situations that feel like being in a dark cave and the gloominess of what we're facing makes everything seem hopeless. Like being lost in the dark, we long for the light of day. But for those who seek the Lord, He is the gradually increasing light. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

Just as the sun impacts our mood and is essential for producing vitamin D, the light of God's Word is necessary for spiritual growth and development. When the clouds of despair hover over us, let our prayer be that His Word shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arises in our hearts - (2 Peter 1:19).

Darkness has a way of immobilizing us, making us not want to move. When the lights go out, we brace ourselves and seek to regain our bearings. For some, darkness is frightening. This is why Satan uses darkness attempting to vex us with fear, cloud our vision, and hide God's truth. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). This is why we praise God and rejoice, knowing that the Father hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

Our Lord rose triumphantly from the grave and He wants to arise from within our hearts to make us a shining witness for Him in the earth. Darkness is all around us, but it doesn't have to be in us. Jesus said, The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (St. Matthew 6:22-23). Our focus should be on Jesus and we are to be in pursuit of Him. When the eye is properly fixed, it brings light into the body. When the eye is evil (diseased), it filters in darkness until it fills the body; and Jesus said this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (St. John 3:19).

There is an urgency about this hour in which we live. God is summoning His people to enter into a sincere seeking of His face. He's calling us to reach for Him and to pray fervently to Him. Let us open our hearts to hear His voice as He speaks through His Word to give direction and guidance. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (Romans 13:11-12).

So we say with the Psalmist, Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered - (Psalm 68:1). As we press through the darkness, walking in the light of God's Word, may His voice resonate in our spirit; Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee (Isaiah 60:1-2).

From the heart and hand of Pastor Reginald Reaves