Week 30: Walk in the Light

Week 30: Walk in the Light

Today’s Text: Psalm 87-89

Key Text: Psalm 89:15

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.”

When you think of God’s presence in your life – what comes to mind?

  • Holiness?
  • Judgment?
  • Forgiveness?
  • Grace?
  • Love?
  • Wisdom?
  • Patience?
  • Healing?
  • Righteousness?

The list can go on and on.

How about this one – LIGHT.

I like how the Psalmist reminds us here that to walk in God’s presence is to walk in God’s light.

There is so much darkness in the world and yet, where “two or three are gathered” in His name – there is light.

That should give us all hope.

There are many times when we may feel discouraged, at a loss for words or actions, searching for direction. Along with all that may come an eerie sense that we are groping in the darkness.

At times like that, we should remember – if we can – to seek God’s presence – because light will soon be forthcoming.

What is the result?

The Psalmist says it well:

“They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength….”

Don’t let the darkness threaten or undo you.

Seek God – find God – find hope.

Just follow the light. It never goes out.

By Paul Simrell

The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program. Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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