1 John 1:5-7:
“This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Today, January 27, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. This day honors the six million Jewish victims and millions of others who suffered under Nazi persecution and also promotes education and awareness about the Holocaust. We must never forget the lives impacted by the unspeakable horrors of the period leading up to World War II and beyond. With the surge of antisemitism worldwide, we must be alert and determined to never let this happen again. The following is just one story.
Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsie, along with their father and brother, were arrested and sent to a Nazi concentration camp for the crime of harboring Jews and members of the Dutch resistance after Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940. In Joan Brown’s book, Corrie: The Lives She’s Touched, we learn of one of the last conversations Corrie had with her sister Betsie, who said this about when they would be free, “We must tell people what we have learned…that no darkness can keep out God’s marvelous light. They will believe us because we’ve been there.” Betsy died in the camp in December of 1944. Corrie was released soon after and went on to testify of God’s marvelous light in the midst of darkness until her death in 1983 at the age of 91.
When I read stories of the Holocaust, human trafficking, the yearly statistics of the killing of the unborn, and the wars in Israel and Ukraine, I want to yell, “I hate the world!” The darkness of this world that allows, promotes, and exalts such hatred towards mankind is abhorrent.
It is sad to think that in today’s world, many ordinary, law-abiding people, may not be aware that they live in darkness. There are folks I see in my neighborhood, on the street, in restaurants, in shops, on television, and on Facebook who are living in spiritual darkness, and it saddens me. They are blind and don’t even know it. The condition of sin blinds them from seeing the light of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “The god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.“
Even believers can wander into darkness, loving the things of the world more than the things of God. The Bible warns us to guard our hearts and homes, and not to allow darkness to enter in. We must guard our marriages from evil influences that would seek to undermine what God has joined together. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children walk in the light by monitoring what computer games, internet contacts, books, television shows, movies, and music might pull them into darkness.
Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world: he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” God commanded the light to shine out of the darkness. When Christ lives in us, we have the Light of Life, shining in this dark world, because of Christ in us. Nothing can keep it out. So let your light shine in the darkness!
Dear Father, the world is such a dark place to live today. Thank You for the hope and resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead, which means we can live in the light of Your Son, Jesus, forever. We ask that You reveal any areas in our lives where we have allowed darkness to creep in, and we ask Your forgiveness. We also pray for the people of Israel, that they would no longer suffer from war, persecution, and even death. We ask that you create a path to peace, not just peace from conflict, but true peace that can only be found in Jesus. Encourage us to be the light of Christ in this very dark world. May You be glorified, and it’s for Your sake we pray. Amen.
I am honored that you have read my devotion today and I pray it encourages you and glorifies God. If you would like to receive Devotions For All Reasons in your email every day, go to the homepage and simply click on “Subscribe.”
Marsha,
I have to say that this Devotional is one of my favorites!
Thank you and bless you for all of your Devotionals you share with us.
June
Thank you, June! We must teach others, especially our children and grandchildren, this horrific history lesson.