We all love a little sunshine, especially after coming off of such a hard winter, if you’re a northerner like myself. We love the things those rays bring: warmer temperatures, the green grass and blooming flowers, vitamin D to brighten our moods, the glow our skin receives, and of course, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. One of the things I like most about summer versus winter are the longer days. I’m reminded of the verses in Genesis 1:3-4, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from darkness." There are many verses that can teach us what “light” means in the Bible. Let’s examine three of the main themes of light…
Letting Jesus shine light into the dark areas of your life
Just like a light being turned on in the night, it can sometimes sting to have our sins and hurts exposed. It is far easier to keep the lights off and keep those things hidden away in the dark. Sometimes things we’d rather not think about or deal with, need forgiveness and healing.
-1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
-Isaiah 42:16, I will lead the blind by ways they have have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
-2 Samuel 22:29, You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
-John 3:19, This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
-Job 33:28, God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.
-Isaiah 58:8, Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Letting Jesus light your path
Life is full of decisions to be made. Each day we face several choices, some seemingly insignificant, others on a grander scale. Sometimes we get to decide, sometimes others make the choices for us and it’s up to us to decide how we are going to react. With all of the possible selections, we can ask God to help us by asking Him for guidance.
-Psm. 119:105, Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path.
-Psm. 43:3, Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
-Psm. 56:13, For you delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
-Neh. 9:11-13, You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters. By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take. You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and laws that are just and right, and decrees and commands that are good.
-John 8:12, When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
-2 Peter 1:19, We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
-Psm. 36:9, For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Letting the light shine through your life
If you are a Christian with a personal relationship with Christ, you are called to be a light. A song children sing in church says, ”this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine." God uses ordinary people to reflect His light. He will use our willingness to witness to the world who He is. The world is looking for those who have hope, treat others with kindness, display fruits of the spirit, and who live out values found in God’s Word.
-1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
-Matt. 5:14-16, You are the light of the world. Like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
-John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
-1 Thess. 5:5, You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
-Isaiah 49:6b, I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
-Psm. 27:1, The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? the Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?
-2 Cor. 4:4-6, The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not of ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
Jesus, the light of the world came so we can have light. He is the creator of it. Let His light come into your life, heal your pain, and guide your path. Then let it shine through your life so others can see “The Light”-Jesus Christ.
