Author: THERESA JACOBSON

Listening for the Promise
Weekly Devotional

Listening for the Promise
Weekly Devotional

Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 15, 2026
“^8… {F}or at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ^9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ^10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” 
- Ephesians 5:8-10 -
This past summer I dealt with a couple of health concerns involving my right eye.  First, I was told I had swelling in my optic nerve, and I needed to seek medical attention immediately to rule out a brain tumor or brain lesion.  Thankfully, both of those were ruled out right away, but the pressure of the spinal fluid around my brain was elevated.  This needed to be reduced or else I would risk going blind in my right eye.  About three months later, while still tending to spinal fluid pressure issue, I developed a corneal ulcer.  In both cases, my vision became very blurry.  I couldn’t stand bright light as it caused so much pain.  I needed the darkness to feel comfortable, but that caused my depression and anxiety to skyrocket because I craved the light so badly.  God is good and faithful, and he has brought much healing upon me.  However, this roadblock has led me to ponder heavily on the themes of “light” and “dark” that pop up throughout Scripture.
God, in his grace and mercy, has given his children the blessing of spiritual vision.  Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians that once we were darkness, but now we are light in the Lord.  And the Holy Spirit encourages us to walk as children of the light (Eph. 5:8).
However, situations arise when we are tempted to be darkness again.  We want to close our eyes and block out the light because it’s more comfortable, much like it was more comfortable for my sick eyes to be in darkness.  It’s more comfortable to go back to the old way.  
Once our eyes have been opened, we begin to realize that time on earth is short.  We can see God’s promises before us, that he will never leave us or forsake us.  We’re able to see how God calls us to serve him and witness to those around us.  We’re aware of God’s power—his power to overcome sin, death, and the devil through his death and resurrection.  We see his grace, his grace that justifies us and also sanctifies us.  He has opened our eyes to all of these things, and yet, we have free will to close them.  
God will not force us to open our eyes.  He will not force us to see.  The vision our Heavenly Father has given us is such a precious gift as he promises life in abundance with him.  It is tempting to revert back to darkness because it gives us comfort, but only for the moment.  The light brings life that lasts forever.  Once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Don’t close your eyes to it!  Live as children of light.
Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 15, 2026
“^8… {F}or at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ^9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ^10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” 
- Ephesians 5:8-10 -
This past summer I dealt with a couple of health concerns involving my right eye.  First, I was told I had swelling in my optic nerve, and I needed to seek medical attention immediately to rule out a brain tumor or brain lesion.  Thankfully, both of those were ruled out right away, but the pressure of the spinal fluid around my brain was elevated.  This needed to be reduced or else I would risk going blind in my right eye.  About three months later, while still tending to spinal fluid pressure issue, I developed a corneal ulcer.  In both cases, my vision became very blurry.  I couldn’t stand bright light as it caused so much pain.  I needed the darkness to feel comfortable, but that caused my depression and anxiety to skyrocket because I craved the light so badly.  God is good and faithful, and he has brought much healing upon me.  However, this roadblock has led me to ponder heavily on the themes of “light” and “dark” that pop up throughout Scripture.
God, in his grace and mercy, has given his children the blessing of spiritual vision.  Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians that once we were darkness, but now we are light in the Lord.  And the Holy Spirit encourages us to walk as children of the light (Eph. 5:8).
However, situations arise when we are tempted to be darkness again.  We want to close our eyes and block out the light because it’s more comfortable, much like it was more comfortable for my sick eyes to be in darkness.  It’s more comfortable to go back to the old way.  
Once our eyes have been opened, we begin to realize that time on earth is short.  We can see God’s promises before us, that he will never leave us or forsake us.  We’re able to see how God calls us to serve him and witness to those around us.  We’re aware of God’s power—his power to overcome sin, death, and the devil through his death and resurrection.  We see his grace, his grace that justifies us and also sanctifies us.  He has opened our eyes to all of these things, and yet, we have free will to close them.  
God will not force us to open our eyes.  He will not force us to see.  The vision our Heavenly Father has given us is such a precious gift as he promises life in abundance with him.  It is tempting to revert back to darkness because it gives us comfort, but only for the moment.  The light brings life that lasts forever.  Once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Don’t close your eyes to it!  Live as children of light.

Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2025 Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), written by Rev. Theresa A. Jacobson. Scripture taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright ©2001 . Scripture taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright ©2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sola Worship Resource — Weekly Devotional © 2025 Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), written by Rev. Theresa A. Jacobson. Scripture taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright ©2001 . Scripture taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright ©2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.