LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

READ:

Daniel 12:1-3

Those who are wise shall

shine like the brightness

of the firmament.

 –Daniel 12:3

On a mild fall evening when the sky was dark and the moon was full, thousands of people in my hometown gathered along the banks of the river to light sky lanterns.  They released them into the darkness, and watched as the lights rose to join the moon in a dazzling display that turned the night sky into a sparkling work of art.

When I saw pictures of the event, I was disappointed that I was out of town and had missed it.  But a few days later I realized that what had happened in Grand Rapids could be seen as a symbol of the conference I was attending in New York City.  More than 1,000 people from 100 cities around the world had gathered there to plan a “work of art” –how to light up the darkness of their own cities by planting churches and reaching thousands of people with the gospel of Christ, the Light of the world.

The prophet Daniel wrote about a time when those who turn others to the Lord will shine like stars forever (Daniel 12:3).  We can all join in that great event.  When we shine the light of Christ in dark places where we live and work, He is lighting up the night sky with stars that never will go out. –Julie Ackerman Link

I want to shine for You in my world, Lord. Show

me how to lift You up, the Light of the world.  I look

forward to that day when I will gather with people

from all nations to bow at Your feet and worship You.

********************************************

When the Light of the world illuminates the earth,

His beauty will attract people from every nation.

INSIGHT

Today’s reading comes from one of the few apocalyptic portions of the Old Testament.  Apocalyptic simply means, “forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world.”  But because apocalyptic passages make regular use of symbolism and imagery, they are among the most difficult portions of Scripture to interpret.  Today’s text from Daniel contains two ideas repeated in New Testament passages:  the resurrection of the dead and names written in a book (v.1).  This latter imagery is echoed in several places, most notably in Revelation 20:15 and 21:27, where the location of a person’s name is tied to one’s eternal destiny.  As with Revelation, Daniel was written to give the people of God hope in the promise of salvation.

Have a blessed night.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace