My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 43 and Acts 13.

Scripture

“Oh send out Your light and Your truth”–Psalm 43:3
“For so the Lord has commanded us, “I have placed you as a light to the Gentiles, That you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” –Acts 13:47

Observation

The peoples of the earth dwell in darkness (Matthew 4:16, Colossians 1:13). Jesus and His gospel bring light and enlighten every man (John 1:9)

God must send the light. We must pray for God to send the light. He did this when He sent Jesus, but now, He sends us! Paul took this verse from Isaiah 49:6, referring to the Messiah, and he applied it directly to himself.

Application

I must pray for God to send the light–to send workers into His harvest. But I must also embrace the reality that I am an answer to that prayer as God is sending me to be a light unto the nations!

Prayer

Father, what an awesome calling I have–to bring light to people dwelling in the domain of darkness! I feel so inadequate for this, yet I remind myself that I am not the light; rather, it is Christ in me that is the light of the world.

Oh Jesus, shine through me! Love lost sinners through me! Expose the darkness of Satan’s lies through me!

Father, You love the peoples of the earth. Jesus is the light of the world to bring salvation to the ends of the earth! So, Father, here am I. Send me where You will and whenever You choose in order to bring the Light of Christ where needed most.

For the glory of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

“Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light! Send the light!

Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!”

–Charles H. Gabriel