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(Gn.15:5-12,17-18;\xa0\xa0 Ps.27:1,7-9,13-14;\xa0\xa0 Phil.3:17-4:1;\xa0\xa0 Lk.9:28-36)\xa0 \u201cA cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.\u201d As darkness thus covered the three apostles, so \u201ca trance fell upon Abram, and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.\u201d\xa0 Both find themselves surrounded by darkness and filled with fear.\xa0 In just this way the Lord brings His revelations.\xa0 For as the Lord is about to pronounce beyond doubt that Jesus is the Messiah, so He is about to send \u201ca flaming torch\u201d to pass between Abram\u2019s offerings and so confirm his taking possession of the Promised Land.\xa0 The Lord must act in such manner to cleanse all foolishness from our souls, that we might hear His most pure Word. But light comes out of the darkness: indeed, \u201cthe Lord is [our] light and [our] salvation\u201d \u2013 He Himself is not darkness.\xa0 And so as the fire of the torch pierces the dark night upon Abram\u2019s mind, so the chief apostles are privileged to see Jesus\u2019 glory, to witness in fullness the Light the Son of God is.\xa0 And the Lord God leaves no doubt with them that it is of Jesus He says, \u201cThis is my chosen Son,\u201d for though the greatest men of Jewish history had also \u201cappeared in glory\u201d with Jesus, now He is \u201cfound alone\u201d \u2013 and the apostles are left speechless. It must pass to the marrow of our bones, the Truth of Christ\u2019s salvation.\xa0 If in any way superficial or \u201coccupied with earthly things\u201d is our vision, Him we have not known.\xa0 He alone stands as our \u201clife\u2019s refuge\u201d; in Him alone do we find God\u2019s presence \u2013 Him alone should our \u201cglance\u201d seek.\xa0 But as we pray, \u201cHide not your face from me,\u201d we should realize how profound is the prayer we make.\xa0 For the Lord indeed \u201cwill change our lowly body to conform with His glorified body\u201d when He appears at the end of the age, but consider for a moment what it will be like to have that power of refinement upon ourselves.\xa0 Very much like the darkness which envelops the apostles and Abram today; very much like the dark night of the soul of which our great saints speak.\xa0 Are you prepared to have the Lord separate soul from spirit with His sword of Truth?\xa0 Do you know this piercing, fiery process even now?\xa0 Then even in this world you shall begin to behold His face, and find yourself ready on that Day to be taken from earthly to heavenly tents. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "White" from Listening to the Lamp, ninth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, help us to stand ready before the terrifying glory revealed in your Son. YHWH, you are our light in the darkness of this world; though the dark threaten to envelop us, you are there to save us \u2013 even in the darkness we find your fire purifying our souls for entering your presence. To your glory you call us; the land of Heaven you promise us.\xa0 And that promise is set firmly upon the law and the prophets, and that promise is fulfilled in your Son.\xa0 He is our hope as we pass through the temptations of this life knowing we are citizens of Heaven.\xa0 O LORD, let us be conformed to His glorified Body! You have given witness to Jesus, that He is your Chosen One.\xa0 You call us to listen to Him, to seek only Him: He shines as the stars in the night sky, leading us to your glory.\xa0 May our hearts be set on Him alone and we shall not be afraid.\xa0 O LORD, hide not your face from us.