June 13

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, — Eph 3:17 BSB

God instructed Moses to gather oil from the people for the light, setting up a candlestick with seven lamps that would continually burn in the holy place. This light symbolized the Holy Spirit, for it is only through His illuminating work that Christ is made known to us. As Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, faith gives Him a place in our souls, and He dwells within us in the light of His own gracious revelations.

Haven’t there been moments when the gospel has shone with wondrous beauty? Hasn’t a sacred light sometimes illuminated the Scriptures, revealing the glory of Christ? Haven’t you seen the glorious harmony of a gospel that saves sinners while also magnifying and upholding God’s justice? It’s a gospel that reconciles seemingly conflicting attributes—justice and mercy come together in Christ, making God both just and the justifier of those who believe in Him. The light by which you’ve seen this glory is the gospel light, and as Christ comes into your heart through that light, He dwells in the shining brilliance of His grace.

You may often complain of the darkness in your mind, feeling as though you’ve never had any true light. But consider this: the very reason you sense this darkness is because of the presence of light. As the Apostle says, “Everything exposed by the light becomes visible” (Ephesians 5:13). The light that reveals your darkness and reproves it is evidence of God’s work in you.

And when light does dawn again upon your soul, you once again see the grace and glory in Christ that you glimpsed before. This proves that Christ dwells in your heart by faith, and the light by which you see Him is the very light He has given to illuminate your understanding.