Unlocked Devotional: Christmas DevotionsSample

THE BELLY OF THE STORM 

On a rainy African day, we flew in a small plane from the city of Monrovia, Liberia, to a small airstrip in the northern part of the country. This ninety-minute flight saved us two days of travel on muddy, washed-out roads. The most amazing part was rising above the rain clouds and emerging into the glorious light of the sun. From underneath the clouds, it was all dark, rainy, and gloomy—the belly of the storm. 

Do you ever experience life like this? A gloomy underside where all seems dull, dreary, and hopeless? You might know the sun is always shining…somewhere above the clouds. But have you ever witnessed it with your own eyes? It’s one thing to know it intellectually, another to see it firsthand. 

When Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms, He experienced the light of God firsthand. Simeon had been “eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel” (Luke 2:25). God led him to Jesus and gave him these amazing words to proclaim: “…I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2:30-32). 

Like rising above the clouds in an airplane, Simeon, in his old age, finally saw God’s promised Savior with his own eyes. Light has come into this dark world, and His name is Jesus. Not just that day long ago when the Savior was born, but every day since then, Jesus is the Light of the World. Yes, even today! No matter how hopeless it may seem under the belly of the storm you are going through, Jesus is the ever-present light over it all. 

– Daniel Dore

THINK ABOUT IT

Is there something you have been waiting for? Longing to see with your own eyes? 

What promise did God give to Simeon? What promise does Jesus give to His followers? 

Jesus came to rescue us, and He is more powerful than any darkness. What darkness are you experiencing today? Jesus understands, and He is inviting you to come to Him. 

KEY VERSE

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)