ESOCS Devotional 5 June
TEXT: JOHN 5:12-38
MEMORY VERSE: “He was a burning and shining light; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.” John 5:35 KJV
Light is a major necessity for quality existence both in heaven and on earth. The presence of darkness stampedes, frustrates, and disorganizes the entire system. The creation story lends credence to this in Genesis 1:1-3. Hence, light is of high demand both by God who is light Himself and man. It is worthy of note that light has two basic capacities;
(a) The Shining Capacity: This enables illumination, vision, clarity, and direction. This capacity forbids the existence of darkness: “And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5); “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Prov. 4:18); “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD id risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1). It is not possible to exist in ignominy, inconsequentiality, or insignificance when the shining capacity of the light is activated fully.
(b) The Burning Capacity: It is this functionality that commands heat, transforms, and consumes the consumables. When it hits its target, light does not spare.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Interestingly, our text uses these two major characteristics of light to describe a man: John. The meaning of that is, God wants us not only to exist as the light of the world (Matt. 5:14) but to maximize the full capacities the light possesses. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glory your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). We need to shine the light that we carry at all times so that darkness can be eliminated. It is inappropriate to be alight and be dominated by darkness. The light is meant to shine for direction, and to eliminate the confusion and frustration of our generation. We must become mobile light that shines away the troubles of our generation.
The next category of the light functionality is the burning capacity: “And of the angels, he saith, who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire” (Heb. 1:7). As the light of the world, we are meant to burn like flames of fire. Burn off all forms of unrighteousness; burn off evil and wickedness in our generation; burn off immorality and cultism; burn off corruption and fraudulent operation in the church; and burn off pride and arrogance, thereby causing complete transformation in the life of the people. SOCS Devotional 5 June
BOTTOM LINE: Until you shine in your world and burn as flames for God, you are not qualified to be a light.
CHALLENGES
- Connect to the light if you must shine and burn (John 9:5).
- Do not hide the light; shine it to your generation.
- Allow the light burn off the debris in your life, so it can burn effectively outside.
PRAYER POINT: Lord, we thank you for being our light (Psalm 27:1); we ask that you grant us the grace to shine and burn in our world, in Jesus name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 29:1-11; 30:1-17; John 5:39-47
