April 26, 2022

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:3-5

Some may wonder at these very first recorded words spoken by God, as the sun and other heavenly bodies were created on the fourth day. A child asked, “How could there be light when the sun wasn’t invented yet?” We can be sure that God is making a distinction here between material sources of light that He created and the divine light of illumination that He Is.

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

How lovingly and gently He condescends to teach us of Himself! As we learn, there is an ever-growing catalog of metaphors and illustrations to expand our spiritual comprehension. The Source of all light is distinctly expressing His separateness from all created things. But created things can be used to teach great object lessons. Because of proximity, our brightest light is the sun. We learn early not to look at it directly, as damage to the retina—even to the point of blindness—can occur quickly. Moses, upon saying to God, “Please, show me Your glory”, was covered and protected from too soon of a view by the LORD’s own loving hand (Exodus 33:18-22).

If I allow the Lord to carry out the sanctification process in me (for only He can do the work, but I must let Him in to do it!), I will realize that He desires to make me fit to behold Him in His full, unveiled glory. Yet even in the earliest stage of transformation, love for Him brings a yearning to see Him! And He wants to be seen…!

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24

Those who are on the path of growth willingly cultivate an eagerness to respond to the teachings of the Master. The heart of a true disciple of Christ is disciplined to listen for His voice, distinguish it from worldly voices, and obey whatsoever He says.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

The gentle way of Him who said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) is to bring more light to His servants who are thus inclined. Hearing His voice and taking His yoke means working side-by-side as He leads and guides. He is the best Friend any of us could ever have! There will ALWAYS be more to learn of Him; and it is the inclination of the heart that determines the direction of our lives....

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” John 16:12

Beloved, listen for Him and be ready to obey what He makes clear. Trust and obey. Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). Step into the light. It is the only way to move forward. There is no standing still. There is no neutrality. Not to move forward is to lose ground.

“Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” Luke 8:18

The brightness of His coming will destroy the evil one and all who allow themselves to be deceived by him. But those with the love of the truth will be drawn to that very same brightness, saying: Behold, this is our God! We have waited for Him, and He will save us! (2 Thessalonians 2:8,10 & Isaiah 25:9)