Faith, Family, and the Light in Darkness

Devotional

Day 1: The Light Shines in the Darkness

Even in the midst of tragedy, violence, and loss, the light of God continues to shine, offering hope and comfort that darkness cannot overcome. When we remember those affected by suffering—whether in our own community or across the world—we are reminded that God’s presence is steadfast, and His light is not extinguished by the world’s pain. In times of grief and uncertainty, we are invited to gather our hearts, to walk in the light, and to trust that God’s love endures through every shadow. [03:09]

John 1:5 (ESV)
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Reflection: When you consider the darkness in the world or in your own life, where do you see God’s light breaking through? How can you be a bearer of that light to someone in need today?

Day 2: What God Requires—Justice, Kindness, and Humility

God does not desire extravagant offerings or outward displays of religion, but calls us to act with kindness, seek justice, and walk humbly with Him. Our faithfulness is not measured by what we can give or sacrifice, but by how we treat one another and all creation. In a world longing for peace and healing, God’s requirements are clear: to love, to serve, and to pursue justice in every relationship and circumstance. [05:37]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: What is one concrete way you can act with kindness or seek justice in your community this week, especially toward someone you might overlook?

Day 3: The Lamb of God Who Takes Away Sin

John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sin of the world and baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ presence among us is a gift of grace, offering forgiveness and new life to all who receive Him. As we remember Christ’s sacrifice and the Spirit’s presence, we are invited to trust in God’s mercy and to share that mercy with others, knowing that Jesus welcomes everyone to His table. [11:35]

John 1:29-34 (ESV)
"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me." I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.' And John bore witness: 'I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.'"

Reflection: As you reflect on Jesus as the Lamb of God, what burden or sin do you need to bring to Him today, trusting in His forgiveness?

Day 4: Facing What Binds Us—God Loosens Our Fears

We all carry fears and burdens that bind us and keep us from experiencing the fullness of God’s love. Like Abraham and Isaac, we may find ourselves tied up by anxieties or past wounds, but God is ready to loosen those bonds when we are honest and willing to let go. Sometimes, the first step is simply naming our fears and trusting that God’s grace is greater than anything that holds us back. [19:56]

Genesis 22:9-14 (ESV)
"When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' And he said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.' And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, 'The Lord will provide'; as it is said to this day, 'On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.'"

Reflection: What fear or burden is binding you today? Can you name it before God and ask Him to begin loosening its hold on your heart?

Day 5: Valuing People Over Ideals—Rejecting Violence and Embracing Peace

It is easy to hold so tightly to our own values and ideals that we fail to see the person standing in front of us, or to let division and violence take root in our hearts. God calls us to value each person as a beloved child, to reject violence in all its forms, and to seek peace even when we disagree. When we learn to see others through God’s eyes, the idea of harming another becomes as unthinkable as the ancient practice of child sacrifice. [33:30]

Romans 12:17-18 (ESV)
"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Reflection: Is there someone you struggle to value or understand? What is one step you can take today to see them as God’s beloved and to pursue peace in your relationship?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered in the midst of a world heavy with grief and violence, remembering those affected by tragedy both near and far. Yet, even as we name the darkness, we proclaim the truth that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it. Our worship today centered on the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac—a story that holds both unspeakable joy and deep pain. Abraham’s journey of faith is marked by moments of great trust in God, but also by profound failures in his relationships with those closest to him.

Abraham’s willingness to follow God’s call, even to the point of preparing to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, is often lifted up as the pinnacle of faith. Yet, when we look closer, we see a man who repeatedly failed to protect and honor his family. Abraham’s choices—passing off Sarah as his sister for personal gain, sending Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness, and nearly sacrificing Isaac—left deep wounds. These stories challenge us to consider not only our relationship with God, but also how we treat those entrusted to our care.

The story of the binding of Isaac is not just about faithfulness to God, but also about the cost of neglecting those we love. Even when Abraham’s hand is stayed and Isaac’s life is spared, the relationship between father and son is forever changed. The trauma lingers, and the family is fractured. This narrative invites us to ask hard questions: What do we hold onto so tightly—our ideals, our fears, our sense of duty—that we fail to see the person standing before us? Are we willing to value each other so deeply that violence, in any form, becomes unthinkable?

Micah 6:8 reminds us that what God truly desires is not grand gestures or sacrifices, but that we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. In a world that is so often bound by fear and division, we are called to be people of light—choosing compassion, seeking justice, and honoring the humanity of every person. May we remember that God’s light shines even in our deepest darkness, and may we be bearers of that light to one another.

Key Takeaways

1. Faithfulness to God Must Not Excuse Harm to Others Abraham’s story reveals that unwavering devotion to God, if not balanced with care for those around us, can lead to deep harm. True faith is not measured by our willingness to sacrifice others for our ideals, but by our ability to hold both love for God and love for neighbor in tension. We are called to examine whether our religious zeal ever blinds us to the needs and dignity of those closest to us. [25:03]
2. The Legacy of Trauma in Families and Faith The binding of Isaac left scars not only on Isaac, but on the entire family. Even when outward harm is averted, the wounds of betrayal and fear can linger for generations. Our actions, especially those justified in the name of faith, have lasting consequences on our relationships and the spiritual lives of those we love. [31:40]
3. God’s Desire Is Justice, Kindness, and Humility Micah 6:8 distills God’s requirements into three simple, yet profound, commands: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. These are not abstract ideals, but daily practices that shape our interactions with others and our response to the world’s pain. God is not impressed by grand sacrifices, but by lives marked by compassion and humility. [33:30]
4. Naming and Facing Our Fears Frees Us for God’s Love Like the children tying yarn around their wrists to name their fears, we are invited to honestly acknowledge what binds us. Only by facing our fears—whether of loss, failure, or the unknown—can we be freed to experience the fullness of God’s love and presence. God meets us in our vulnerability and gently loosens the knots that keep us from living fully. [19:09]
5. The Light Shines in the Darkness—And We Are Bearers of That Light In a world marked by violence, loss, and division, we are called to remember and embody the light that no darkness can overcome. This light is not just a distant hope, but a present reality that we are invited to share through acts of peace, justice, and reconciliation. Even in the heaviest weeks, God’s light persists, and we are entrusted to carry it into the world.

** [03:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:09] - Lighting the Candle: Naming the Darkness
[05:37] - What Does God Require?
[11:35] - Gospel Reading: John 1
[18:15] - Children’s Time: Naming Our Fears
[19:09] - The Things That Bind Us
[20:36] - Grace, Mercy, and Peace
[25:03] - Abraham’s Journey: Faith and Failure
[25:44] - Abraham’s Failures in Family
[26:57] - Hagar and Ishmael: God Who Sees
[28:10] - Child Sacrifice and God’s Stance
[29:25] - The Test of Relationship
[31:40] - The Cost of Broken Relationships
[32:41] - Valuing Each Other in a Violent World
[33:30] - What God Truly Requires
[42:14] - Prayers and Lifting Our Hearts
[45:45] - Communion and Invitation
[48:59] - Words of Institution
[51:53] - Healing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 22:1-19 (ESV) – The Binding of Isaac —
> After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” ... But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” ... So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Micah 6:6-8 (ESV) —
> “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

John 1:29-34 (ESV) —
> The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ... I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ... And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

Observation Questions

In the Genesis story, what specific actions did Abraham take in response to God’s commands, and how did these actions affect his family? [25:03]
According to Micah 6:8, what does God say is truly required of us, instead of grand sacrifices? [33:30]
What are some of the ways Abraham failed to protect or honor his family, as described in the sermon? [25:44]
How does the sermon describe the impact of Abraham’s actions on Isaac and the rest of the family? [31:40]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon suggests that Abraham’s faithfulness to God sometimes led to harm for those closest to him. What does this reveal about the dangers of religious zeal when it is not balanced with love for others? [25:03]
How does the trauma experienced by Isaac and the rest of Abraham’s family illustrate the long-term effects of broken trust and betrayal, even when physical harm is avoided? [31:40]
Why do you think God, through Micah, emphasizes justice, kindness, and humility over sacrifices? How does this challenge common ideas about what it means to be faithful? [33:30]
The sermon mentions that facing our fears can free us to experience God’s love more fully. What might keep someone from naming or facing their fears, and how could this affect their relationship with God and others? [19:09]

Application Questions

The sermon points out that Abraham’s devotion to God sometimes blinded him to the needs and dignity of his family. Are there ways your own ideals or sense of duty have caused you to overlook or hurt those closest to you? What would it look like to hold love for God and love for neighbor in tension? [25:03]
Think about a time when you or your family experienced a broken relationship or betrayal. How did it affect you in the long run? What steps could you take toward healing or reconciliation, even if the harm was not physical? [31:40]
Micah 6:8 calls us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Which of these three do you find most challenging in your daily life? What is one specific way you could practice it this week? [33:30]
The children in the sermon tied yarn around their wrists to name their fears. If you were to do this exercise, what fear would you name? How might acknowledging this fear help you experience more of God’s love? [19:09]
The sermon asks, “What do we hold onto so tightly—our ideals, our fears, our sense of duty—that we fail to see the person standing before us?” Is there someone in your life you need to see or value more deeply? What is one step you could take to show them honor or care? [31:40]
In a world marked by violence and division, what does it mean for you personally to be a bearer of God’s light? Can you think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to choose compassion or peace? How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [03:09]
The sermon reminds us that God’s light shines even in our deepest darkness. Is there a place of darkness or heaviness in your life right now? How can your small group support you in carrying God’s light into that situation? [03:09]

Sermon Clips

We can always think of those things that bind us up, right, and keep us from the fullness of God's love in us. [00:20:21]

It's not an easy thing to be honest with ourselves sometimes and choose and talk out loud about what those things are. But what's really true is that even as Abraham loosed Isaac, God will loose us of our deepest fears if we're ready, when we're ready. And maybe it starts with just wading in the ocean. [00:20:28]

Our reading from Genesis chapters 21 and 22 that Nikki read for us this morning covers what may be the most joyful and the most difficult moments in the life of Abraham and his wife Sarah. To quickly recap the life of these two humans: when Abraham was 75 years old, God showed up and told him to get up, leave your home, your family, and your friends, and go to the land which I will show you. And in an act of deep faith, Abraham and his wife Sarah go, setting out and setting hopefully toward the land of Canaan. [00:21:23]

When Abraham is 99, God shows up and says I will make you a father of many nations, I will give you a son by Sarah, and the sign of this covenant will be circumcision. And in the truest act of faith, Abraham cuts his own flesh to mark that promise. In Genesis chapter 21, Abraham and Sarah welcomed their son Isaac. The name means—do you remember? Isaac's name means laughter, right? Because when both Abraham and Sarah were told by God that they were going to have a child, they both laughed. [00:22:07]

Then in chapter 22, this very next chapter, the Lord appears this time to test Abraham: take your son Isaac, God says, go to Mount Moriah and sacrifice him as a whole burnt offering. Really. God told Abraham to go to a new land—Abraham went. God told Abraham to cut his own flesh—Abraham did. God told Abraham to kill his own child—and in an act of extreme faith, Abraham packed a knife. [00:22:58]

As people of faith, we can look closely at this story and see that alongside the story of Abraham's relationship with God is the second story, Abraham's relationship with his family. Abraham is not just a patriarch, which he is. He's the patriarch of a family. The patriarch's job is to protect and provide for and defend for those in his care. Well, how well do you think Abraham did? Let's look. [00:24:34]

Abraham exploits Sarah, his wife, for his personal gain. But Sarah isn't the only family member to be mistreated. Abraham has another son, Ishmael, who is the child he had by Hagar, who was one of Sarah's Egyptian slaves, maybe even one of the slaves they received from Pharaoh. Sarah gets angry with Hagar and Ishmael, and she wants them kicked out of the encampment. Abraham feels guilty about this, but does he do something about that to confront Sarah? Nope. Does he right injustice under his own roof? Nope. [00:27:10]

He packs Hagar and Ishmael a lunch and sends them into the desert, where actually they meet God. And God promises them protection. And Hagar is the only woman in the Bible who gives God a name. El Roy, the God who sees. Abraham's unwavering devotion to God is juxtaposed to his repeated neglect. [00:27:50]

That brings us to chapter 22, where Abraham goes to sacrifice Isaac to God. The sacrifice of children was not unheard of in Abraham's day. It was usually a desperate bid of a king to appease the gods. During a national crisis, the child of the king was often sacrificed. Yes. Yes. Thank you. [00:28:27]

From these examples, we know where God stands on child sacrifice. It's a no-no. So then what's going on in Genesis chapter 22? What if it's a test to determine the nature of Abraham's relationship with God? Well, yuck! Is this a test about relationship? If it is, it reaches a stunning conclusion. [00:29:25]

At the end of the test, the angel of the Lord says to Abraham, now I know you fear God. Now I know you fear God. So is that what God was after? Fear? Is fear the reason God kept showing up to talk to Abraham, to sit at table with him, to make a covenant with him, just so Abraham would fear him? [00:29:52]

Now the Hebrew word for fear is used often throughout the Bible and especially in the book of Genesis. Genesis, the verb is Yahweh, and it's found throughout Genesis with the connotation of being afraid, especially when it applies to God. Abraham fears God, and you can bet that Isaac fears God too. After all, he was the tied up one on the altar by the person who was supposed to love and protect him. [00:30:18]

After this and throughout the rest of his life, Isaac's special name for God is Yahweh, the fear. Isaac's relationship with God has been forever infected and tainted by this event on Mount Moriah, and how could it not be? We, the people of faith, we, people of faith, name Isaac among the ancestors, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel and Leah. Isn't that awesome? Even in a totally changed relationship with God, we are named. [00:30:53]

But you can bet that Abraham's relationship with his family was never the same after this event. Sarah goes away and she dies 26 miles away from where Abraham lives. And after Sarah's burial, Isaac and Abraham never speak again, at least in our Bible. Abraham may not have technically sacrificed his son on that mountain, but he lost him anyway. [00:31:50]

It makes me wonder, what do I hold onto so tightly? My values and my ideals that I fail to see the person standing in front of me? I wonder. I really wonder this week in light of all of the terrible events that have happened here in our Synod, both in Evergreen and in Orem. And with the memories of 24 years ago on 9-11. And with all of the names and events that I put in this candle this morning. [00:32:23]

Will we ever value people who are around us, even if we don't agree with them? I wonder. Will we, or when will we, value each other so deeply that the idea of using violence against any other human being becomes as appalling to us as child-sacrifice is from this story in Genesis. Aren't we all children of God? When will we learn that violence is never the answer? [00:33:03]

Micah 6a says it very clearly. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God? Oh, help us, God. Help us to remember that your light shines even in our deepest darkness. [00:33:57]

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