“Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
"The Bright Morning Star"
"I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16).
Once again there is much hype about the new "Star Wars" movie which opens tomorrow. If it's anything like previous releases people will line up for hours to see it and there will be star war groupies who will dress as characters from the movie. Science fiction is of great interest to many people and movies like "Star Wars" have a very devoted following.
Today I would like to consider another star, the true victor in the cosmic battle between good and evil (the real star war). Although the battle continues to rage on our plane as Satan seeks to take as many captive as he can, the outcome is assured. We who belong to Christ are on the victorious side! This is not science fiction. This is a reality series in the making each day of our pilgrimage here on earth!
In today's text Jesus speaks from the final chapter of the entire Bible. He identifies Himself as "the bright Morning Star." There are over 100 different names and titles for Jesus in the Bible but this is the final one. This self-proclaimed title reminds us that Jesus is the one who gives eternal light. It reminds us that the promise of His coming shines brightly even in the darkness we sometimes seem to live in. When Edwin More wrote the hymn "The Solid Rock" he tells us how to deal with these dark periods in our lives with the following words, "when darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace."
Balaam had prophesied "a star will come out of Jacob." Malachi had spoken this word of assurance, "but unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings." Jesus said in the Gospels "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John wrote, "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all."
Today I encourage my brothers and sisters to live in His light and to let His light shine through us to a dark world!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's note: I find it interesting in light of the "star wars" theme that in Isaiah 14, which many believe refers to the fall of Satan, that he is exposed as a fallen morning star. "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High'" (Isaiah 14:12-14).
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: “I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God’s Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life’s goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity.”
© Copyright 2005 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
"Living today anchored in God’s solid foundation"