Monday; August 21

Unless you have missed all of the news for the past couple of weeks you are probably aware that today is the day for a solar eclipse.  One of the more interesting things about this eclipse is that it will be at least partially visible to much of the United States – and in some places they are calling for a total eclipse of the sun.  I am interested in seeing the event, but not excited enough to pay the $20,000 per night rates that some hotels are charging to be in the big middle of it all!
Eclipses seem to generate a lot of excitement, but they are not unheard-of throughout time.  History records several examples where the light of the sun was overcome by darkness.  In fact, there was an interesting phenomenon that happened on the day that Jesus was crucified.  Luke records, “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.”.  (Luke 23:44-45)  Throughout the years, scientists and theologians have debated the cause of the physical darkness, but, to me, there is something more incredible at work.  You see, while something momentarily blocked the light of the sun, the much bigger news was how something temporarily eclipsed the Light of the Son.  For a period of time that weekend, it appeared that satan had won and had extinguished the life and Light of Jesus.  Yet, just like a more traditional solar eclipse, the impact was short-lived.  Before the weekend was over, the Son would shine again and this time the darkness of sin and satan would never overshadow Him.
I hope you get a chance to enjoy the wonder of nature today.  As you do, think about the promise of God that no matter how dark it gets, with Him in our lives, the Light will eventually shine.
         Think About It!

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