Over and over in God’s Word, and from the beginning of time, we read how powerful God’s light is in pushing back the darkness and bringing hope to our lives. The very essence of Christ Himself is light; He is the Light of the world and calls us to follow Him in bringing light wherever we go.
Light is often symbolic of God’s holiness, goodness, love, joy, peace, hope, and the warmth of His presence around us. Every day ends with the light of a beautiful sunset and begins again with the sun rising against a backdrop of night.
Those who have had near-death experiences speak of seeing a bright light, which seemed to draw them towards heaven’s gates. People talk about light as a hopeful reminder for better times ahead, such as “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.” Darkness itself reminds us how much we need light just to see, it prevents us from falling, it helps us to know where to go.
The Power of God’s Light Over Darkness
God is the Creator of light. He spoke it into existence and separated it from the darkness.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day (Genesis 1:1-5).
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
God’s Word guides our way as a light would help us navigate the path. It gives clarity and direction in making decisions as we walk through the journey of life.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16).
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day (Proverbs 4:18).
God’s light brings glory and hope. He shines His blessing and goodness over us, through us, and over the earth.
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:1-3).
“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).
The Light of the World
Jesus is the Light of the world, and He calls us to follow that example in shining His brightness and reflecting His character. He promises the light of life and freedom from darkness to all who seek after Him.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “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).
There is great protection in His light, miraculous power to push back the spiritual forces of darkness, and the strength to walk in His armor of light.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).
God’s light calls us out of a life lived in darkness. He reminds us we are different because of the miraculous redemptive work Christ has done in our lives; we belong to Him!
This gives us a reason to live free and strong, bringing light to a world that needs hope.
Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them (Ephesians 5:7-11).
For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
God is light and truth. He cleanses us from all sin, sets us on a new path, and calls us to a life of fellowship with one another through His powerful truth.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:5-7).
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes (1 John 2:9-11).
Why Does This Matter?
In the same way, references to light in the Bible give us much awareness in just how powerfully God uses it to help, protect, and guide, and draw many to Himself.
For further reading:
What Does it Mean to Let Your Light Shine?
What Does ‘God Is Light’ Mean in 1 John 1:5?
Can We Really Overcome Evil with Good?
What Does it Mean That God’s Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet?
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Josh Boot
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