Adam sealed our fate, getting us ousted from Eden’s God-light, and getting us dumped off as exiles in the darkness and pain and toil of a cold, unwelcoming world. Our souls, designed and shaped for glory and God’s near presence, have struggled with this estrangement ever since. The in-breaking of the Kingdom of God into our existence has relit our yearning for heaven, for intimate relationship with God, for pleasant, leisurely garden walks in God-light. But while we long for restoration to our original glory, our hearts want to tell us we are nothing but castaways and sinners, no longer worthy to return ‘home.’

Isaiah 8:17 – 9:4, 2 Peter 1:12-21, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NLT)

Isaiah 8:17-9:4 – Yes darkness, _______________________

2 Peter 1:12-21 – Yes darkness, _______________________

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11- Yes darkness, _________________