RESCUED FROM DARKNESS
April 23rd, 2018 | Colossians 1:1-14
In August 2010, 33 men became trapped in a copper-gold mine in the Atacama Desert in Chile. They spent 69 days trapped 2,300 feet below ground. On October 13, 2010, the men were rescued, brought to the surface one at a time while an estimated one billion people around the world watched. A British newspaper reported, “A deep religious faith powered the rescue; miners and families and rescuers alike believe their prayers were answered.”
After spending days in fear and darkness, the trapped miners first saw a beam of light and then heard the voices of their rescuers. And today’s passage, the opening of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, portrays an even greater sense of gratitude toward God who has rescued us from “the dominion of darkness” (v. 13).
These “brothers and sisters in Christ” (v. 2) have been faithful witnesses and have exhibited the love of Christ. And their faith and consistent witness were bearing fruit. Lives were being changed (vv. 4–8). Paul assured these believers of his continued prayers on their behalf, reminding us of the importance of praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul prayed not that they would be free from all harm but that they would “live a life worthy of the Lord” (v. 10). Paul desired for the believers in this church to be strengthened with the power of the Holy Spirit so that they could run the Christian race with endurance.
Next, we see the most important reason for the Colossians, Paul, and every believer to rejoice. We have been rescued from darkness and moved into the “kingdom of light” (v. 12). We can be certain that our sins are forgiven, and that we have been redeemed—once
and for all—by the blood of the Lamb (v. 14)!
APPLY THE WORD
Imagine the joy those miners felt when they realized that help had arrived. That is a fraction of the joy we can have each day because Jesus has paid our debt, our sins are forgiven, and we are eternally redeemed. Let that amazing truth sink in, and give thanks today that you have been forever saved from the dominion of darkness.
Today in the Word’s Devotion is a production of Moody Global Ministries
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