Light

John 12:46 NIV I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

The dictionary defines darkness as the total absence of light. If you have ever been in a cave when the lights are off, then you have experienced total darkness. A darkness where you literally cannot see your hand inches from your face. The importance of light to our physical and mental well-being has been thoroughly studied, and research shows prolonged darkness produces many illnesses, including inflammation, respiratory issues, and depression. Light is essential to life and life more abundantly.

Ask most people about the origin of light, and they will immediately think about the sun, but the Genesis account of creation tells of an entirely different source. Genesis 1:1-4 states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 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. And God said, 'let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” God’s creation of light was three days before the sun was placed in the sky (Genesis 1:14-18) “to govern the day.” So what was this source of light from Genesis 1:3? Jesus answered that question when he proclaimed to the people, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus was establishing a clear difference between physical darkness, the absence of light, and spiritual darkness, the absence of God.

God described this difference during the plagues on Egypt. Exodus 10:21 says, “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.’” What a vivid description: a darkness from the sky and a darkness that can be felt. We must never forget that as children of God we are engaged in a spiritual conflict. Ephesians 6:12 tells us we battle against “spiritual forces of darkness,” a spiritual darkness that is undeniably the absence of God.

But praise be to God, the source of pure light! He has provided a way of freedom, deliverance, and victory over darkness through his son Jesus. Psalm 107:14 (TPT) proclaims, “His light broke through the darkness, and he led us out in freedom from death’s dark shadow and snapped every one of our chains.” God has not only led us out of darkness into his marvelous light but also destroyed every chain that bound us in that spiritual darkness. He has provided a path of freedom from fear, anxiety, depression, addictions, sickness, and anything that keeps us from experiencing his freedom and light. There is never a battle between darkness and light. The presence of light instantly dispels darkness. His promise of John 8:12 is that those that follow him will “never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

If you find yourself in a dark place, you are one step away from God’s light. One step away from the light of life. Isaiah 42:16 (NIV) promises, “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.” Whether for yourself or a loved one, we can pray for that one step to be taken to reveal God’s glorious light. God’s light to reveal the path we are to take, the deliverance we are to receive, and the freedom we are to joyously live in.

Father God, we thank you for being the light of the world and the light of our lives. We surrender to follow you and never again walk in darkness. Thank you for your light and life more abundantly that comes from following you.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

1 John 1:5-7 NLT This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

John 8:12 NIV When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

John 12:35-36 NASB So Jesus said to them, For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.

Ephesians 5:8-9 TPT Once your life was full of sin’s darkness, but now you have the very light of our Lord shining through you because of your union with him. Your mission is to live as children flooded with his revelation-light! And the supernatural fruits of his light will be seen in you—goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Isaiah 60:19-20 NIV The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.

Isaiah 58:8 NIV Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Luke 1:78-79 NLT Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.

John 1:6-9 NLT God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Revelation 21:22-23 NLT I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.

Isaiah 9:2 NLT The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

Isaiah 60:1 NAS Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 NLT For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.