Resources/Articles
The Light
Waking up in the middle of the night without a light is dangerous. Besides a stumped toe, the danger is falling, breaking a leg, or cutting a big gash in your head from hitting the corner of something harder than your heard. A light would be a great preventative for unnecessary accidents.
God created light in the beginning. He spoke it into existence. He said, “Let there be light; and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). His word which brought light into being has now become the light for us to walk in a world where many would rather walk in darkness (John 3:19-21).
Walking up to a world living int he darkness of sin is not a great environment to greet you in the morning. Instead, you can greet it with the light. The light of the word of God is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Psalm 119:105). This light puts us into a fresh touch with the God who rules the day and the night. It focuses on the true. It gives the desire to do good. It humbles us to serve. It renews us to handle pressure. It inspires us to approach responsibility.
The light takes me away from thinking, “I have to muster up some courage” to believing, “God gives me strength to endure.” Scripture gives assurance nothing in the world will ever supply. Psalm 19:7-14 states the everlasting value of God’s spoken word. It provides the source of strength we will always need in time of temptation just as it did Jesus. When He was tempted, He overcame with three simple words: “It is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). He used these words to cause the devil to leave. Education, experience, and fortitude were not the elements He pulled from to defeat the onslaught of Satan. It was scriptural evidence.
Evidence in the midst of a world where lies seem to be most popular and often used would be a welcomed change. The greatest evidence is witnessing a life where the Bible has been applied. “Faith only” never amounts to anything but words. Faith with works shows the true evidence scripture is valid, and it will accomplish what God sent it out to do (Isaiah 55:11; James 2:26). Here is what I need to do. Read more. Understand more. Respond with obedience.
The light of the word being “turned on” in our lives is when we stop thinking but start reading and obeying. Obedience is the real sign of belief (Romans 10:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Completing each assigned duty God gives us indicates we are glad we have the light. We see clearer. We hold His truths as our reason for acting as we do> What the words of Jehovah have done for my life is why I come closer to them. I want to see. I need the light. I need the source of peace, joy, assurance, and hope they bring.
Getting to know God and His ways through the light of His word helps me find answers to a lot of questions, help for tirals, and counsel to help me decide. Difficulties will not cease. Strife does not end. Immorality does not weaken. Sin does not stop. What the light gives is conditioning of a spirit God gave me to help mold me into the image He gave me at conception. The light transforms attitudes, lifestyles, worship, relationships, and hearts into what pleases God. If pleasing God is our desire, then reading and heeding His word will be our pleasure.
Here is what this deep, penetrating light God provides will do: “...Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the nope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to that working of the strength of His might, which He wrought in Christ...” (Ephesians 1:18-20). Come then to the light.
