God’s Light

In a previous quote I mentioned that God is light.  That made me think about all the ways that God provides light to His people.

The Holy Spirit “enlightens” us.  When Jesus was about to leave the disciples, He told them:

“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:12-12

It is the Spirit that opens the Scripture to us and allows us to understand God’s Word.  The Word itself is described as light is this passage:

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path ” Psalm 119:105

When we read God’s Word and the Spirit enlightens us, we will be guided into a way of living that is righteous and helpful to us and to others.

Finally God “lightens” our load.

‘Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

When we rely upon God, when we trust Him to do what is best for us, it lifts our spirits and gives us hope.  We feel lighter because our sins are forgiven.  We know that whatever difficulties we face, they will not last forever (This Darkness Will Not Last).  In the end, we will bask in the light of His countenance and experience His light forever.

 

The Light of His Countenance

 

The Bible tells us that God is light.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 3:5

It also speaks of the light of His countenance, or face.

“Many, LORD, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?’ Let the light of your face shine on us.” Psalm 4:6

When we want to experience God’s light, we only need to turn to Him.  I’m reminded of a hymn written by Helen Howarth Lemmel in 1922.   It was inspired by a pamphlet entitled Focused, written by the missionary Isabella Lilias Trotter and composed for use at Billy Sunday’s evangelistic meetings.  Today it is a standard found in many hymnals.