MP3 Digital Download Teaching Set
By Jeremy Lopez
When my children were small, they would sometimes wake up with nightmares. I’d hear the sound of little feet pattering down the hallway, and within minutes, I’d have a little one snuggled up next to me in our bed. For one of our kiddos, we eventually kept a sleeping bag right next to our bed so that when she felt afraid of the dark, she could snuggle in, knowing we were just inches away.
Darkness definitely fosters fear. Even as adults, there’s something about the dark—the unknown—that stirs up anxiety. Uncertainty seems to rule in the dark. We can’t see clearly, and that makes it easy to feel lost or disoriented.
I imagine that’s exactly how the Israelites felt while wandering through the wilderness. But God, in His compassion, placed the cloud of His presence over them by day and the fire of His presence by night to guide them.
Fast forward to the end of Jesus’s earthly life: He attended the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. During this celebration, the Israelites camped out in tents or built small booths to remember and celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness in leading them through the wilderness. And on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus made a bold, even shocking declaration:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Make no mistake—the Pharisees and other religious leaders understood exactly what Jesus was claiming. He was saying, I am God. The very One who led the Israelites through the wilderness is now here, in flesh and blood.
So, what does this promise mean for you and me?
We are never alone.
No matter what wilderness season you’re walking through, the glory of His presence is with you. Darkness is scariest when we feel alone. When my kids were afraid of the dark, what they needed most wasn’t a nightlight—it was me. My presence comforted them. And friend, the same is true for us. Jesus is with us—even in the darkest moments.
We have hope.
Light always wins over darkness. John wrote, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Light brings warmth, illumination, and hope. Think about this: when babies are born prematurely, they’re often placed under lights. Those lights warm their tiny bodies and help break down the jaundice. The light brings healing—and hope. Jesus, as the Light of the World, brings that same kind of hope into the darkest, most hopeless places of our lives.
We have direction.
Tucked inside Jesus’s promise is the gift of wisdom and direction. If we follow Him closely, looking to Him for insight, He will light the path ahead of us. There are times we feel stuck, unsure of how to move forward—but we can lean into Jesus. He is the light of the world, and He generously gives wisdom to those who ask. He also gives us the Holy Spirit—our 24/7 companion who leads, guides, and counsels us every single day. What a gift!
Friend, because Jesus is the Light of the World, you are never alone. I meet people all the time who feel abandoned, unseen, and unloved. If that’s you today, I want you to know: you are not alone. The Light of the World goes before you, walks beside you, and dwells within you. You carry His light into every situation. So, walk forward today with confidence!
Becky Harling
