I’m not afraid of the dark and don’t remember having that fear as a child. However, I can’t say I really like it when I’m in an unfamiliar place or outside where I know there could be unseen risks.
These days, our world and our country seem ever-darkening. We hear about and experience wars, rumors of wars, increasing natural disasters, and declining regard for the guidance and commands of God that are intended to glorify Him and keep us safe in the process.
Our constant access to local, national, and global news makes us more aware of the darkness, and it is challenging to keep from fear of where our world is headed.
How blessed are those who know the power and glory of God’s light that should dispel our fears and give us great hope!
God’s Light
God is good to teach us about His nature in Scripture. Some attributes are spoken of more than others. Light is attributed and described extensively in many ways throughout the Biblical narrative.
When Ezekiel saw a vision of God’s throne room, he described the glory of the Lord as a brilliant light (Ezekiel 1:27-28), and his response was to prostrate himself before God. And while Paul mentions only inexpressible words when describing his being caught up to heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-4), surely he had this experience in mind as he described God’s light to Timothy as so brilliant that it makes Him unapproachable (1 Timothy 6:16).
A few other images we’re given in the Bible are:
- There is no darkness in Him – 1 John 1:5-6
- He is clothed in light – Psalm 104:1-2
- His light is radiant – Psalm 76:4
- He is so much light that darkness and light are the same to Him – Psalm 139:11-12
God Brings Light to Our Darkness
Much of God’s character is beyond our understanding, but He does not hide it from us. He gracefully makes His attributes known to us through Scripture and experience so we can know Him.
From the beginning of His story and plan of redemption, He brought His light to be an important part of His magnificent creation. In Genesis 1, we see that darkness was the original state of things until God introduced light.
The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Genesis 1:2-4a
And while he called the light “good,” he kept the darkness. Our bodies are designed to work within the light/darkness rhythm God designed. For most of us, darkness is needed to rest well and for other pieces of God's plan to work well. In this sense, darkness is good.
But following the fall of Adam and Eve, the term darkness came to represent life away from God’s intimate presence. If we don’t intentionally stay close to Him, we feel that darkness encroaching from our own sin and the rejection of God in our society.
Praise God that as we seek Him, He will light our way. The Bible authors teach us:
- He lights our lamp and illumines our darkness – Psalm 18:28; 2 Samuel 22:29
- With His light, we see light – Psalm 36:9
- He is the father of lights, and His light never changes – James 1:17
Christ the Light
As we read Genesis 1, we will see that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (The Trinity) all participated in creation. John gives us more detail on the Word’s (the Son’s) contribution in John 1:1-4, as does Paul in Colossians 1:15-17.
In John 1, we see critical attributes of God’s light;
- His life is light
- His light shines in the darkness
- His light can’t be extinguished by darkness
No wonder the prophets told their listeners that a light was on its way in some of the darkest times in the history of Israel and Judah. Isaiah spoke of it in the same scroll that spoke of great judgment coming to God’s chosen people in Isaiah 9:2. Hundreds of years later, Zechariah prophesied at the birth of John the Baptist (his son) about the coming Savior in Luke 1:78-79.
In one of His seven “I AM” statements, Jesus proclaimed He was the light of the world (John 8:12). Other things He taught about the light include:
- People love the darkness rather than light because their works are evil – John 3:19
- Whoever follows him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life – John 8:12
- He came as light so whoever believes won’t remain in darkness - John 12:46
New Testament writers confirmed their understanding of Christ as God’s light:
- He is the radiance of God’s glory – Hebrews 1:3
- God has shone in our hearts in the face of Jesus Christ so we can know the light of the knowledge of God’s glory – 2 Corinthians 4:6
Light Demands a Response
As we grow in our knowledge of God’s character a response is natural. For me, it is hard to imagine not seeking a relationship with God through Christ, but we know that some will continue to choose the darkness.
What about you? Will you take Him as your personal light and salvation?
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread? Psalms 27:1 (NASB)
When you have placed your faith in Christ, there are additional responses that will be automatic:
- We will walk in the light as He is in the light AND have fellowship with other believers as the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin – 1 John 1:6-7
- Walk as children of light now that we are no longer darkness – Ephesians 5:8
- Be the light of the world – like a city set on a hill – as our good deeds shine out for all to see and praise God – Matthew 5:14-16
Into Marvelous Light
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9
While the perfect garden God created included both darkness and light, God's ultimate plan revealed in scripture is that there will be two different places where people will spend eternity, and one distinguishing factor will be His presence, and thus his Light.
Jesus taught multiple times that outer darkness (the place furthest from the light) will be the place for those who go into eternity without placing their faith in His light. (Matthew 8:11-12, 13:42, 50; 22:13, 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28).
On the other hand, those who place their faith in the Light of the World who reveals the Light of God,
- Are called into His glorious light now and
- Will eternally live with Him in the New Jerusalem where no other light is needed, and there is no darkness. I love that truth is taught In both the Old Testament and the New Testament!
“No longer will you have the sun for light by day,Nor for brightness will the moon give you light;But you will have the LORD for an everlasting light,And your God for your glory.“Your sun will no longer set,Nor will your moon wane;For you will have the LORD for an everlasting light,And the days of your mourning will be over. Isaiah 60:19-20
And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. Revelation 21:23-25
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Have you placed your faith In the Light of the World? If not, today is the day to make that decision. No response to the Light is a, "no" and leaves you risking eternal darkness. Today is the day of salvation! I encourage you to cry out to God to accept His gifts of grace and mercy through salvation in Jesus Christ.
If you have taken hold of Christ by faith, are you walking the light as He is in the light, or are you distracted by the darkness? Evaluate this and ask God to help you renew your faith.
PRAYER: Lord, how we want to praise you for your indescribable light. We are in awe of everything about it. We thank you that your light cannot be overwhelmed by the darkness we feel today. Help me to walk in the Light so that I can be in fellowship with You. Let my light shine out so people will see them and praise You! And help me live as one with hope in your indescribable light.
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