1 Thessalonians 5: Light Shining in the Darkness

5: You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

16: Rejoice always,

17: pray continually,

18: give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

◇ Nowadays, light is so common in our world. Wherever you go, streetlights are on at night, making everything bright. Even in my rural hometown, streetlights are on all night, making everything bright. Perhaps because of this, the fear of darkness has mostly disappeared. When I was young, there were no streetlights in my village. So every household had a flashlight to light up the darkness when they needed to go somewhere at night. When you turn on the flashlight switch, the bright light shines ahead, showing everything in front of you, allowing you to take confident steps.

Jesus spoke again, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Christians are people who are not in darkness but in the light. People in darkness are anxious, fearful, and scared because they cannot see. On the other hand, people in the light are not anxious, fearful, or scared. They can take confident steps forward.

However, Christians also face obstacles in their lives. There are difficulties, hardships, pain, sorrow, and tears. Sometimes we cannot see what is ahead of us. There are times when we are anxious in the darkness.

Turn on the switch! Turn on the switch called Jesus! When we turn on the switch called Jesus, who came as a bright light to us, the darkness in front of us will retreat.

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Colossians 1:13).

How do we turn on the switch called Jesus?

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

It is to always rejoice, give thanks, and pray in all things.

◇ Lord, let the praise of joy and thanksgiving never cease! Holy Spirit, guide us in truth!