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READ: PSALMS 32:1-11; 103:4; JOHN 8:12; ACTS 26:9-18\n\n\n\nBlinking open his eyes he looked out into darkness.\n\n\n\n\u201cHow long have I been here?\u201d he asked the darkness.\n\n\n\n\u201cInnumerable days,\u201d came the melancholy response.\n\n\n\n\u201cHow long shall I stay here?\u201d he asked the darkness.\n\n\n\n\u201cAn insurmountable time,\u201d came the dreary response.\n\n\n\n\u201cWho shall stay with me?\u201d he asked the darkness.\n\n\n\n\u201cNone but your shadow,\u201d came the disdainful response.\n\n\n\nThen, a light flickered in the corner of his sight. A soft glow, glowing ever brighter.\n\n\n\n\u201cHow long have I been here?\u201d he asked the light.\n\n\n\n\u201cLong enough, my dear child,\u201d came the loving response.\n\n\n\n\u201cHow long shall I stay here?\u201d he asked the light.\n\n\n\n\u201cNot a moment longer. Come and return to me,\u201d came the guiding response.\n\n\n\n\u201cWho shall go with me?\u201d he asked the light.\n\n\n\n\u201cMy spirit shall guide you forever, no matter how far you stray,\u201d came the gracious response.\n\n\n\nA single tear of joy streaked his face as he now saw to whom he spoke.\n\n\n\n\u201cThen my Lord, I\u2019ve but one last question. When may we leave?\u201d \u2022 Gracee Terrell\n\n\n\n\u2022 Have you ever felt you\u2019ve strayed so far from God that He couldn\u2019t possibly want you back? Sin is like a hopeless, dark pit. But God tells us in His Word that He always wants to restore us, and that Jesus is the One who seeks and saves us (Luke 15:1-32; 19:10; 1 Timothy 2:4-6). Jesus is the Light, and because He died for our sins and rose again, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is forgiven and saved from the darkness of sin and death (Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 2:9). Once we belong to Jesus, nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39). No matter how far we fall, God will always be there to guide us back. He works through His Word (the Bible), His people (the church), and His Spirit\u2014who guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Even when we forget our identity as beloved children of light, He mercifully reminds us of His love and truth and helps us follow Him faithfully (Ephesians 5:8-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11).\n\n\n\n\u201c\u2026to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me [Jesus].\u201d Acts 26:18 (NIV)