Step Out of the Darkness

SCRIPTURE

Job 18:1-21 (NRSV)

God will destroy the wicked

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
"How long will you hunt for words?
Consider, and then we shall speak.
Why are we counted as cattle?
Why are we stupid in your sight?
You who tear yourself in your anger -
shall the earth be forsaken because of you,
or the rock be removed out of its place?

"Surely the light of the wicked is put out,
and the flame of their fire does not shine.
The light is dark in their tent,
and the lamp above them is put out.
Their strong steps are shortened,
and their own schemes throw them down.
For they are thrust into a net by their own feet,
and they walk into a pitfall.
A trap seizes them by the heel;
a snare lays hold of them.
A rope is hid for them in the ground,
a trap for them in the path.
Terrors frighten them on every side,
and chase them at their heels.
Their strength is consumed by hunger,
and calamity is ready for their stumbling.
By disease their skin is consumed,
the firstborn of Death consumes their limbs.
They are torn from the tent in which they trusted,
and are brought to the king of terrors.
In their tents nothing remains;
sulfur is scattered upon their habitations.
Their roots dry up beneath,
and their branches wither above.
Their memory perishes from the earth,
and they have no name in the street.
They are thrust from light into darkness,
and driven out of the world.
They have no offspring or descendant among their people,
and no survivor where they used to live.
They of the west are appalled at their fate,
and horror seizes those of the east.
Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly,
such is the place of those who do not know God."


DEVOTION

Great God Almighty!

Today's Bible reading reminds us of exactly why we love and need Jesus so!

In the absence of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, judgment and condemnation would be our lot.

Can you imagine if we had to PAY for all of our sins? The Bible does say that the wages of sin are death and today's psalm graphically describes the many ways that "death" befalls the wicked.

But, today, on this side of the cross, we ought to be singing, "I'm So Glad, Jesus Lifted Me!" Jesus lifted us out of the death, destruction, and mayhem that we deserved when he allowed Love to send him to the cross to make atonement for our sin and gift us with eternal life.

Oh how I love Jesus, because He first loved me!

If you don't have a love relationship with Jesus and have never put all of your faith in Him, I invite you to do so today. You do not need to live in the shadow and darkness of guilt and shame any longer. Instead, God invites you to step into the Light of God's love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy.


Let us pray:

Oh God! For too long I have lived in the darkness of sin, guilt, and shame. Today, I put all of my hope in Jesus, believing that he lived, died, and rose again to forgive my sin and gift me with eternal life. Today, I fall into the net of your grace...I love you and I will share our love with others. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today you are a Christian! I would be so honored if you would take a moment to let me know that you put all of your hope in Jesus today by clicking YES in the upper right hand corner of this blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

I also pray that you will tell a Christian friend about your decision, so that s/he can help you find a good Bible believing church to attend where you can be baptized and grow in your faith.

Congratulations! Your salvation is our good news. Please share the good news with someone today!