Light - Symbolic of revelation, goodness, hope, the Word of God
Scriptural references:
(Revelation)
Psalm 90:8
You have placed our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
Daniel 2:22
It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.
(Goodness)
Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
(Hope)
2 Samuel 23:4
Is as the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, When the tender grass springs out of the earth, Through sunshine after rain.’
(The Word of God)
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Scriptural Teaching
If we look back at the creation account again, right after we see the Spirit of God hovering over the surface of the waters, the bible says in the very next verse, v.3, that God said, “Let there be light.” So first there was water, and then there was light. And with water and light, life and the sustaining of life becomes possible. Because water and light were in place, now God could speak plants, grasses, and animals into existence. Life could exist and be sustained because of the presence of water and light. You see, deepening your worship means recognizing that you need both living water that only Christ can provide and the eternal light of Christ illuminating your path. In other words, you need the water’s regeneration; and you need the light’s revelation.
That’s the first thing that light represents in scripture
1. Light represents revelation.
Because light dsipels the darkness and allows us to see more clearly; to
discern what we are viewing; to make sense of what’s before us. The light
represents revelation. The psalmist writes in Psalm 56:13 “For you have
delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life” (Psalm 56:13). Walking in the light of God’s revelation means following after His ways so that we don’t stumble through life. Stumble through choices.
Stumble through situations and issues and scenarios. But that we rather walk with the assurance and the confidence of being on a lighted path that has been ordered by God.
2. Light represents goodness.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says, “Let your light shine before men in such a
way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in
heaven.”
Remember that Jesus not only declares Himself to be the LIght of the
world, but He bestows that same title upon you and me. He calls us salt
and light. ANd as light, we are to demonstrate goodness; we are to model
righteousness; we are to exmplify holiness. As light, we are to be
demonstrations and demonstrators of God’s love and models of Christ’s
deeds. As lights, we are to bring goodness into an evil world. So let your
light shine by demonstrating the love of God daily.
3. Light represents hope.
If you were in an unfamiliar space; in dark and unknown surroundings, light
would be a welcomed sign. And more than likely, your instinct would draw
you toward the light. Because light suggests a way out of the darkness
that you’re in. Light is hope. The psalmist declares in Psalm 27, “The LORD
is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?” Light gives us hope
when we face enemies and drives away fear; light gives us hope when we
deal with life’s disappointments and pushes aside doubt; light gives us
hope when we must walk through lonely valleys of desperation and the
darkness of pressing dilemmas and keeps us from living in anxiety and
walking in worry. Remember Jesus says of Himself, “I am the Light of the
World.” Which means that we can look to Him when we are met with
struggles; hardships and disappointments and have in Him hope that we
will get through what we’re going through. Light reminds us that we have a
living hope in Jesus Christ.
4. Light represents the Word of God.
The psalmist declares in Psam 119;105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.” Remember when God gave Moses instructions
to build a tabernacle? Inside of that tabernacle - this meeting place with
God - was to be a golden lampstand that had seven candlesticks. The
lampstand was to provide light or illumination for the priests to perform
their priestly duties. But like all the other tabernacle furniture, the golden
lampstand was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. Just as it gave forth light.
Jesus told the people:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in
darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV)
While the lampstand was a foreshadowing of Christ, it was also symbolic
of the presence of God for the bible declares in 1 John 1:5 that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” So the light was a critical element when entering the tabernacle. It not only provided illumination of the physical space, but it provided revelation of the spiritual experience. God is light and in Him there is no darkness. There is no wrong; there is no
contradiction; there is no error. Which are all things that we can say about
the word of God. There is no error; no contradiction; no wrong. And
because the bible teaches us that God and His word are one, (In the
beginning the Word was with God and the word was God), then His word,
as the psalmist declares is light. A lamp that as believers, we must look to,
lean on and live by. When you look to this light, let it be a reminder that
God’s word is truth. His word directs us through life’s dilemmas and gives
us hope for today and tomorrow. His word is a lamp unto my feet and a
light unto my path. You can look to His word to reveal to you His will and
provide wisdom for how to handle life as it happens. Make it your purpose
each day to walk in the light of life.
Application
When you read the Bible this week, pray that God illuminates your mind to the revelation of the truth of His word. Light your candle before reading and meditate on living and walking in the light of life.