"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.." - Collosians 1:13 (NIV).
Before Christianity arrived here in Africa there were other beliefs tying down people in a kingdom of darkness. This was centered on vengeful gods occasionally demanding ritual blood sacrifices, including of humans. A writer in Buganda at the turn of the century, John Roscoe, noted how people wore amulets apparently to ward of evil spirits. He noticed people were even afraid of "jumping shadows" which could cause a bad omen.
But come the Gospel and those that heard and believed were released from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God. Before while lost in the kingdom of darkness they were trapped with fear of upseting malevolent gods and suffering an ignominious end. In the Kingdom of God by accepting Christ they were forgiven and reconciled with the creator of earth, our father God in heaven, through His son Jesus Christ!
No longer would they live in fear - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). They were now no longer trapped into the deeds of darkness for as the Apostle Paul put it in II Corinthians 5:17: "When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!"
It is a privilege and joy for us who came after that we were not born into a kingdom of darkness led by Satan who comes to kill and destroy (John 10:10) with his minions. More so, that by grace of God the truth dawned on us that it was not religion that came to save us, but only by receiving and accepting Jesus as our Lord and saviour and then we were truly born into the Kingdom of light.
May we never lose sight of how privileged we are, that we are no longer lost in a dark kingdom. But by the mercy of God we are in fellowship with Christ in a kingdom of light.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, how I thank you that I have been born in a kingdom of light, and may I walk in that grace, totally free to share the Good News, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
-
03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
