In the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth, God spoke and said, “Let there be light.” Life declared light, and was light, and so it shall ever be. Their bond is inseparable and eternal. The truth and beauty of their unity is shown in the life of Christ.
In Scripture, John 1:4 tells us that Jesus Christ, the Word, is the “life” and “light” of men. Verse 5 says that “the light shines in the darkness.” This is one of the great missional statements of Jesus Christ. His mission is to bring life and light to a dark world. Verse 9 says He is the “true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”
David understood this when he wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Nothing brings more joy to Jesus than bringing life and light to the darkness of every individual who has ever lived, or will ever live. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).
We may find ourselves individually in darkness through the deceptive power of sin, or broken health, struggles in our family, loss of loved ones, tragedies and transitions of life. These can bring us individually to dark places that can rob us of hope, leaving us discouraged and in despair, even asking, “Why should I continue to live?”It is at that very moment of life that we must not forget that Christ is standing at the door knocking. We do not have to stay in darkness. If we open the door of our hearts, Christ will come in and dispel the darkness that surrounds us. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8).
This is what David is referring to in Psalm 51:12 when he prays, “Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.” When
darkness surrounds us, let us lift our voices individually and collectively as a community of believers singing praises for the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the presence of Christ that brings life and light. It is in showing forth the praises of the goodness of God that we become “a city that is set on a hill” and “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever”( Psalm 107:1).
The design of Christ’s life
We read that “…through childhood, youth, and manhood, Jesus walked alone. In His purity and His faithfulness, He trod the winepress alone, and of the people there was none with Him. He carried the awful weight of responsibility for the salvation of men. He knew that unless there was a decided change in the principles and purposes of the human race, all would be lost. This was the burden of His soul, and none could appreciate the weight that rested upon Him. Filled with intense purpose, He carried out the design of His life that He Himself should be the light of men” (Desire of Ages, 92).
“May the beauty of the Lord shine upon us.
May the beauty of the Lord light each face.
May the beauty of the Lord shine upon us.
May we ever be reflections of His grace.”
—by Gail Coridan
Dean Coridan is president of the Iowa-Missouri Conference.
