2 Peter 1:16-21 (NRSV)
Read 2 Peter 1:16-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. Verse 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Verse 18We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Verse 19So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Verse 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, Verse 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Devotion
On a candle-lamp tour of a deep cave, our guide invited us to experience absolute darkness. We extinguished our candles and felt a dark so complete it pressed in on your face. After a minute, the guide said, "I'll get out my matches," and we breathed sighs of relief. After a pause, he muttered, "Oh, I must have left them in my desk”—everyone gasped—"Guess we'll have to find our way out in the dark." Stunned silence. A few long seconds later, a tiny flame sprang into view. There was a match after all. And even before we could light a single lamp, we could see not just that little light but each other, the cave around us, and the trail.
Christ is the light. And the good news of Christ is "a lamp shining in a dark place," making it possible for us to see not only his light but also our world and our path.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, let your light shine in our darkness. Help us to see your life-giving presence in our lives, your call in the faces of all in need, and the ways the Spirit is moving to make all things new. Amen.