EPHESIANS 5:6-10 – “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”
THEME OF THE DAY: THE BLESSINGS OF BEING CHILDREN OF LIGHT. We are likely familiar with the hymn Count Your Blessings. If not, or at least by way of reminder, here are the first two stanzas and refrain:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain].
The hymn is a good practice in the Christian life – count our blessings. We have so many from the Lord and by consistently remembering them, we maintain a life of thanksgiving, and don’t take for granted the goodness of the Lord. David exhorts us to this practice – Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalm 103:1-2).
When we count the blessings of the Lord, don’t forget today’s – being children of light. Let’s consider a few of these blessings.
First, being children of light means we are in the Kingdom of Him, the Lord Jesus, who is the Light of the world. What a blessing! Transferred from the domain of darkness into His marvelous light, we enjoy the freedom, protection, and presence of the Lord Jesus. Satan, the prince of darkness, no longer has us as his subjects.
Another blessing as children of light is we are illuminated to see the world as it really is – a place of spiritual conflict between light and darkness. Our union in light with Him who is the Light enables us to rightly interpret all that happens in the world from its true perspective – the spiritual realm.
A third blessing of being children of light is our future. For now, we still dwell in the land of darkness but soon, we will be glorified and forever in the land of eternal light free from the presence of sin and darkness.
All that we receive from God make us worshippers as we realize the riches of His grace bestowing such undeserved blessings upon us, and none greater than the blessing of being children of light! Rejoice!
PRAYER: Father, I praise You for making me a child of light, Your light, and the rich blessings of being so.
REFLECTION: Ponder what it means to be a child of light. We see the world and eternity as they truly are.