Genesis 1:1-4
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
God created us to live in the light.
Light is so important to each of us. God who created all things saw the light He spoke into being and declared it to be good.
I could read a great dialogue regarding the Visible Spectrum. Some here would understand it, to others like me it would be little more than words. I get a little more understanding when they talk about the speed of light, because although I cannot understand speeds of that magnitude, (194,188 miles in one second of time, or terms referring to light years) I can understand that it takes time to travel from a - b but not much more.
God created. In verse 3 He spoke light into being. Before the creation of the sun and the moon, God, who John (1 John 1:5) describes as light and in whom there is no darkness at all, stepped into the formless and empty darkness and brought light. Light certainly in most cases brings life and that is what God wanted for His creation, not a lifeless form but a created masterpiece full of the richness of the Creator.
It is as if this creation story, not only teaches us of God’s methods but shows what His desire for His creation should be, a creation of LIFE. Elihu said to Job, while trying to bring human wisdom to Job’s situation. (Job 33:30) ‘to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him.’ Jesus said of his purpose in coming, (John 8:12) ‘"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."’ Then we have what Paul wrote to Timothy saying, (2 Timothy 1:10) ‘but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.’ We can have a real understanding about God’s purpose and life for us, through the light of the Gospel.
Are we enjoying the light or living in the gloom?
We turn back to Job and see what he is saying, (Job 17:12) ‘These men turn night into day; in the face of darkness they say, ’Light is near.’’
Job was certainly ‘in the gloom’ and we would hardly blame him for feeling like he did. But here are his friends trying to lift his spirits. The gloom had overwhelmed Job, he could see nothing but the blackness of his life.
How do some answer the hopelessness of their situation. If we take a look at the Bible (Ecclesiastes 2:20 NLT) ‘So I turned in despair from hard work. It was not the answer to my search for satisfaction in this life.’ It was a little bit like making oneself so active all the pain would simply go away. It’s so sad when we see folk trying to deal with their misery themselves. Some drink, some get into other habits while still others sink into depression and despair. (2 Corinthians 1:8 NLT) ‘I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it.’ Again (2 Corinthians 4:8 NLT) ‘We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit.’
The problems were real, they looked as if they would be crushed and fail but here were men who put their faith in God, not in what they could achieve, nor in their own efforts. (2 Corinthians 1:9 NLT) ‘In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead.’ God is the God of light and the light of life! Even if the pain of life’s problems are too much for us to cope with, as Job found, God steps in and brings forth life. (2 Corinthians 4:9-10 NLT) ‘We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. 10 Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.’
Paul never ever shrunk away from the fact that there were times when he simply didn’t know what to do. (Acts 22:10) ‘What shall I do, Lord? I asked. ‘Get up,’ the Lord said,...’ Here he is telling the story of his conversion and this is at the time when he is literally floored. The circumstances may be very different for you right now, but if you are floored, listen to what the Lord has to say to you. It certainly will not be like the friends of Job or his wife’s advice... sort of curl up and die. - Oh, and what was it that had happened to Saul at this time? - He had seen the light!
The guiding light
(Psalms 43:3 NLT ) ‘Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.’ David wrote, (Psalms 27:1 NLT) ‘the LORD is my light and my salvation — so why should I be afraid?’ David has total confidence in his God, he knows the light will see him through the darkness. God’s light can never be extinguished by man. “Darkness is the emblem of distress, trouble, perplexity, and sorrow; light is the emblem of the opposite of these. God furnished him such light that these troubles disappeared, and his way was bright and happy.” (from Barnes’ Notes)
(Micah 7:8-9 NLT) ‘Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD himself will be my light. ....The LORD will bring me out of my darkness into the light, and I will see his righteousness.’
Right now, no matter how dark the darkness may seem, if you trust in Him and acknowledge His power, he will bring you through. - The film ‘World Trade Centre (2006)’ dramatizes the World Trade Centre disaster, hope is still alive. Refusing to bow down to terrorism, rescuers and family of the victims press forward. Their mission of rescue and recovery is driven by the faith that under each piece of rubble, a co-worker, a friend a family member may be found. This is the true story of John McLoughlin and William J. Jimeno, two of the last survivors extracted from Ground Zero and the rescuers who never gave up.
We don’t have a movie of all the stories here today, let alone the countless stories of the precious blessing of God’s light into the darkness of despairing lives all through the ages. We have the testimonies starting with the heros of faith in Hebrews 11 right through to the personal stories of ordinary people. Jesus made and Jesus MAKES all the difference, (Isaiah 9:2) ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.’
Just recently the first know rescue by mobile phone light, the lifeboat crew asked the men who had phoned for assistance to hold their phones up so that they could see the screens. When Jesus came, He lit up the world of darkness with his presence. Moreover, there is no danger of the batteries running out! (Isaiah 60:19) ‘... for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.’
The Light breaks through the darkness.
John 1:4 ‘In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
— 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.’
The arrival of Jesus into this world was God’s permanent answer to the mess sin had brought to the world. God came down to man, Jesus brought God’s creator light to mankind, so that we can become new creations. That light works by revealing divine truth and exposing sin. Everywhere Christ went, he brought light. Light means understanding and spiritual vision, it reveals the shortcomings. The light of Jesus penetrates and enlightens hearts and minds. Everyone who comes into contact with Christ can be enlightened.
Important to emphasize, Jesus is the one universal light. (John 8:12 NLT)
‘Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."’ There is no other. As Creator, Jesus not only provides light but he also makes people light sensitive. Blindness which Jesus said the Pharisees suffered from includes an intentional turning away from the light, pretending to "see" something else.
We fit into the picture.
Paul made it very clear that God’s people are to be seen, we are his reflected light! (Ephesians 5:8-9 NLT) ‘For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.’ (2 Corinthians 3:18) ‘And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’
Matthew 5:15 NLT ‘Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.’
