29/06/09

Testimony of overcoming darkness with light

Psalm 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Today's message is a very beautiful message of fight between darkness and light and to understand today's message we need to look at a testimony from the Bible. And the best testimony of overcoming darkness with light is of Paul.

After Saul became Paul, he had received abundant grace to overcome and do all that was set before him (1 Corinthians 15:10). He also talks about the race that is set before all of us (1 Corinthians 9:24). Then suddenly Paul talks about one specific problem he has on hand which the Lord left him to battle, but at the same time strengthened him in this fight (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Although the battle was difficult for Paul, so much so that thrice he prayed earnestly and the Lord encouraged him but did not answer his request. He did not lose hope and continued his battle also relying on the prayers of others to help him in this fight (Philippians 1:16-20). While this hope was there he was also aware of the chances of failure and disaster therefore was committed to continue fighting faithfully and advised others to do the same (Philippians 2:12).

But latter on in Paul's second letter to Timothy, Paul shows a different level of confidence, a sense of victory and achievement (2 Timothy 4:6-8). It seems like he has already won his race and fought and finished his battle and now ready for the judgment day. If you read a few line ahead you will notice that Paul knows that all his problems are not over but yet he have great confidence on the Lord helping him overcome them and which the Lord will take care of (2 Timothy 4:17-18). This was not the same confidence he had before when he spoke of working with 'trembling'.

At the end Paul sums up his whole experience with an advice of being patience and determent in the battle or race, keeping our eyes on the One who has won it and shown us the way to do so - Jesus Christ (Hebrew 12:1-3).

What we learn from this is, when we come to Jesus Christ we receive the grace to overcome most areas of our weak self. But as we grow we realize that there is an area in us (darkness) which is was not seen for some time. This area we pray and pray but we are not able to overcome. The Lord leaves us to fight this darkness and for this He give us His Light (His Word) and His Candle Stand (His Spirit), which we need to continuously keep burning before our most Holy Place (our hearts) that is in us. It is only by Him and through Him we all have hope and faith in completing the race or battle with the darkness, which we are to overcome and become overcomers.


[ Prayer Starter ]

Father God, You are Light and You want the same Light to shine in us - your children. Lord we thank You for your Son Jesus Christ who came as man and showed us the way to victory. You gave us the Light your Word and the Candle Stand your Spirit which we have received by the sacrifice of Jesus. Help us Lord to keep this Light burning with the help of the Candle Stand, by which we will become overcomers, overcoming the darkness in us...

This we ask in Jesus' Name,Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

1 Corinthians 15:10
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 9:24
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Philippians 1:16-20
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Philippians 2:12
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:17-18
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Exodus 25:31-40
31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.
35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Exodus 40:24-25
24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Revelation 2:5
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)