"Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." James 1:17 NLT
Recently, the word "light" jumped out at me from this YouVersion Verse of the Day. I had just put up my Christmas tree, and as I read the verse and devotional thoughts, I was sitting in a dimly lit room with the Christmas tree lights on…one of my favorite activities of the Christmas season.
God Created Light
Just think! It started right at the beginning. (A very good place to start, according to Maria in “The Sound of Music.”) The first thing God created in the disorganized emptiness was light.
Then God said, "Let there be light,"; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4 (NASB)
In verses 14 through 18, our timeless God implemented more separation of light and darkness by creating different light sources. These sources and the changing of evening to morning became day and night ultimately marking out seasons and years – the way we track time.
Just think how monotonous life would be if we only had light or only darkness! As I understand it, anyone who has spent significant time in the furthest part of the northern hemisphere can testify to the struggles of extremely long, dark days for weeks.
The Darkness Became More Than Night
Again, back to Genesis.
Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:13, 24 (NASB)
Darkness.
Not just the darkness of night but life without the presence of God. Adam and Eve were banished from the paradise created for them to live in God’s presence. And as we know from the Bible, things spiraled downward from there. Sometimes, I think we believe that now is the darkest time in history. I ponder that often. How dark is darkest?
God's Promised Light
Despite God's people rejecting him more and more thoroughly for centuries, God stayed focused on His promise in Genesis 3:15 to crush the author of darkness, who passes himself off as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Isaiah, God’s spokesperson, included words of hope as he preached God's message to the nation of Israel in a very bleak time of judgment for their sin. He pinpointed their problem and told them to be expecting His perfect solution. Light.
The people who walk in darknessWill see a great light;Those who live in a dark land,The light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2 (NASB)
The Light Created Light
As John, the apostle, begins his gospel, He gives us a greater understanding of the Light that was promised in Isaiah. Were the first readers shocked to understand that the Messiah, for whom they had longed for thousands of years, had been the Creator?
"The Word gave life to everything created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:4-5 NLT
What hope God gave us through John's proclamation that the Creator Light shines in the darkness and He cannot be overcome!
John’s prologue foreshadowed later in His gospel when he recorded Jesus declaring Himself to be the Light of the world (John 8:12, John 9:5)
God Sent The Light
Even though the Light created light, God sent Him to become like us. To be God with us and experience darkness as we do.
Zechariah, John the Baptist's father, understood the ministry of the coming Messiah at the moment of his son's birth. Bringing light. Light for the darkness to illuminate the way to peace with God and the peace of God.
"Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace."" Luke 1:78-79 NLT
You Can Have the Light and Be the Light
As James tells us, God's light is not shifting or changing. Still today, we have the opportunity to walk in the Light. To walk with the Light dwelling in us through faith in Him, Jesus Christ, the original and eternal Light.
John speaks of the benefits of walking in the Light in 1 John 1:7. But Jesus also taught us in the Sermon on the Mount that when we follow Him we become light-bearers.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NASB
What an important part we play in these dark days. We have Light to share! Let us encourage each other to be bold in sharing the hope of the Light of the World.
If you need to know the perfect Light, please reach out. I'd love to share Him with you!
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