Living in the Light of God

​2 Samuel 22:29 ~ “For you are my lamp, O LORD and my God lightens my darkness.”
 
Life has a tremendous need for light. It is needed for plants to grow. Some power generators require it. We create artificial light when the night falls upon the earth so that we won’t be trapped in the darkness. Put yourself in the deep caverns of the earth, where no sunlight can reach, and the one thing of critical importance would be for someone to shine a light. Dear one, has some darkness overtaken you this day? Let us consider our text and understand that there is no darkness or dread that is beyond the illuminating radiance of the LORD.
 
Let us first start by considering the darkness. At the end of our text today, we read, “my God lightens my darkness.” First, it is personal for it is called, “my darkness.” And how true it is, for when we are in such a condition that we are trapped in the darkness it seems as if there is no one at all who is there with us. We find ourselves alone and tremble at the notion that there is none who can find us. As Jeremiah cried out in despair before the LORD, he says in Lamentations 3:2, “he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light.” How many times has it been that in those moments of despair, you look around at the joyful and delighted crowds who seemingly walk in a light that you cannot see, and wonder if they even notice you sojourn in a personal darkness.
 
And, as it is a personal experience, it is also a troubling time for it is called, “my darkness.” How clearly evident it is the difference between darkness and light. There is no mistaking the light, for it shines upon all things and illuminates the way before you. But darkness is a hiding thing, a trembling condition that causes panic and uncertainty. It is said that the big cats of the African continent are nocturnal hunters, seeking their prey in the shadows of night. And such is the enemy of God who, as 1 Peter 5:8 says, “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” And darkness is also a deceptive condition, hiding truth and covering wickedness. Ephesians 5:9 declares, “for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true.” What then must be the fruit of darkness but that which is evil, wicked and deceptive. Isaiah 59:9 expounds, “Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.”
 
Shall we then remain in darkness, and dwell in the depths of despair? Beloved, there is a great hope given in our text today and it is echoed in Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” Let us not, in the days of our darkness, forget the Light shining among us. Our text begins, “For you are my lamp, O LORD.” Again, dear ones, it is personal—for David proclaimed that the LORD is, “my lamp.” The LORD Jesus did not merely come to have an impersonal connection to those who would believe, but He walks with you as the Light of the world. He promises, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). You are not alone, dear Christian, for you have the LORD Jesus, the King of all kings, to walk with you through this world. Jesus has entered into the caverns of our deepest darkness and shines the light of hope and love, of joy and the promise of everlasting life. All He commands is that you follow Him. How quickly would we depart the catacombs if someone came with a light to show us the way. Let us not do anything less with the LORD Jesus, but follow Him unto the everlasting day!
 
We will end with this, “my God lightens my darkness.” Our God turns darkness into day, He lightens the darkness and brings forth from it a glorious reminder of how much we need Him. How wonderful it will be when we look back upon the days that we journeyed in darkness to discover that God has been with us all along and not one step did we take that He does not make useful to us as a light going forward. Isaiah 50:10 states, “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”
 
Remember Peter’s word in 2 Peter 1:19, “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” Let us pay attention to the Lamp—the LORD Jesus. And someday that eternal day will dawn and the everlasting morning will rise for all who trust in the LORD.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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