Thurs., 5/23/19 Devotion (1 Jn. 2:8b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 2:8b, where we read these words:

" . . . Because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining."

Ever since Christ's first advent, with His glorious resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and His pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the New Covenant saints, God's light of Jesus and His church kingdom have been ad-vancing, and the world's and the devil's darkness have been on the retreat.

Does this always *appear* to us to be the case, from our limited (and emo-tion-laden) perspectives? No. But it is always better to trust the promises and assertions of God Himself, rather than our own feelings. Since God has clear-ly said that the "darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shin-ing," let us, His faithful church, believe Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Pray as we are able, hear as we are able, strive as we are able, do as we are able, according to the measure of grace received.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]