Today's Passage - Matthew 4:12-16

Matthew 4:12-16    When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.  Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali - to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."     I had the opportunity to take a course in Israel, and when we passed by Sea of Galilee I saw that it was surrounded by tall mountains.  There are not mountains with gradual slopes, buy very steep cliffs with mountains that top at least 3000 feet.  Therefore, Sea of Galilee lives in the shadow of the mountains around it.  When I had the opportunity to walk on the shores of Sea of Galilee, I deeply felt that it was like the condition of the whole world.  We are like living under a shadow; even though there are many joyful and cheerful moments, but we are undeniably living under some kind of shadow deep down inside our soul.  People can't see direction under such shadow, their way forward is unclear, they don't know where they should go, and they have no real sense of security.  People had no hope and only wanted to survive for their own benefits.  There's no peace between people and the world is filled with conflicts.     Our society today is filled with dark shadows.  Not only is our environment dark, hearts of people are dark as well.  We might not be able to see it from the outside, but hearts of people are filled with vicious thoughts.  I once saw an ad on the newspaper for a machine for releasing anger while driving.  If someone cuts you off when you are driving, you can use this machine to make some special noise.  You can choose from minor assault, major assault or death - Once you press the button, it will make a machine gun noise that makes you feel that you've shot someone.  Even though you didn't shoot anyone, but in your mind you feel that you've put someone to death.  Even though everyone looks like upright and happy people from outside, only we know all the thoughts of darkness and filthiness inside us.  To make matters worse, even though we living in darkness, we are unable to free ourselves from it.     Praise God, because of His word we don't need to stay in such despair and darkness.  Even though people were disobedient and have rejected God, He has sent Jesus Christ according to His eternal plan so that He can enter into our lives.  Those who are supposed to suffer, who cannot see, are living in the darkness or have been neglected, will all receive glory!  Those who are walking in the darkness will see great light.  Those living in the shadow of the valley of death will have light shining upon them.  This is a picture of leaving the darkness and entering into light, which is what Jesus Christ wants to accomplish in our lives!    Pray with Pastor Tong    Lord, we welcome you into our lives, just like light entering into darkness.  You can remove all the shadow and darkness in our lives so that we may be delivered from the bondage of sin.  I thank and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!          Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!