Verse: Philippians 1:13-14
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Thoughts
Can we start this week on a note of gratitude? This verse is so simple, but so profound and life changing. It is so easy to take for granted what Jesus has done for us—the work of the cross and the resurrection. The empty cross reminds us that sin has been defeated in our lives, and the empty tomb tells of how death has been conquered for us!
By no power of our own, Jesus rescued us from the domain of darkness. The reached into our pain and our sin and our rebellion and grabbed hold of our hand and pulled us out of darkness. Without the work of Jesus on the cross would any of us be able to break free from the cycle of sin and death? Do any of us have the ability to ensure ourselves eternal life with God? We can't even control what happens on this earth, let alone what happens in eternity.
So Jesus, out of his amazing grace, delivered us. Instead of leaving us in darkness where we belonged, he transferred us into his Kingdom! The kingdom of light, and love, and peace, and joy, and freedom. In Him we now know true redemption. In him we now have true and complete forgiveness.
David exclaims "restore to me the joy of your salvation" in Psalm 51:12. Let that be way we start our week today. Let's be overcome with gratitude for the deliverance that God has done in our lives! Let's praise and thank our savior for loving us enough to rescue us.
Prayer
Jesus than you for saving me! Thank you for your work on the cross. Thank you for the empty tomb. Thank you for your love!