It’s the last day of the Light Scripture challenge! How have you been doing in meditating on Jesus Christ our Light?

Light Day 31: Psalm 18:28-33

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

This final passage on light is one that reveals complete trust in our God: He will light our candle.

Throughout this challenge, we’ve seen:

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Light Day 29: Psalm 43:1-5

Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

The purpose of sending of God’s light and truth is clearly stated in this passage: to lead us to God Himself – His holy hill, His inner place.  Read more

Day 10: Psalm 19:1-10

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

The darkness of the world, the flesh, and the devil blinds and dims our eyes. Spiritually, we are nearsighted; we look upon our own things instead of on things above and the things of others. No wonder we can only see as in a mirror dimly! No wonder Jesus spoke in parables – “that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not hear, for this people’s eyes are darkened.” As the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, we walk about as blind people thinking that we see. As the church in John’s day, we do not even know that we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

Yet what is the eye salve that Jesus counsels the church of Revelation to buy that they might see?

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Day 8: Psalm 97:1-12

The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

In this passage, earthly light repeatedly describes the majesty and holiness of God:

Clouds and darkness round about Him

A fire going before Him

Lightnings of God enlightening the world

Hills melting like wax in His brilliant presence

Despite the natural fear God’s awesome glory might incite in those who are not one with Him, this Psalm focuses on quite a different response: joy.

“Let the earth rejoice.”

“Zion heard and was glad.”

“The daughters of Judah rejoiced.”

“Gladness for the upright in heart.”

“Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous.”

“Give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.”

Because our all-powerful and holy God reigns in the earth, the earth ought to respond with pure joy: nothing evil can have any ultimate power or position when the earth is under the dominion of the omnipotent God! Read more

Light Day 7: Psalm 56:1-13

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Notice the oneness and trust that the Psalmist has with God in this passage. In every aspect of his life, he’s turning to God, trusting God, relying on God for protection, provision, and help. In the midst of his struggles, he is turning to His Father for mercy, understanding, strength, peace, and sympathy.

Interestingly, however, the Psalmist isn’t asking God for anything in this particular Psalm apart from the opening phrase, “Be merciful unto me.” Instead, he’s simply declaring the following:

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Light Day 2: Psalm 36:1-9

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil. Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. ~ Psalm 36:1-9

This passage gives a striking contrast: the lifestyle of the sinner and the goodness of God. Our sinful flesh inclines to lifting up ourselves: flattering ourselves, not fearing God because we think we’re good enough, walking in our own self-will and iniquity, speaking only to forward our personal goals, walking in fleshly wisdom and goodness instead of true wisdom and goodness, making plans to forward our selfish desires, pursuing fleshly dreams, and becoming desensitized to evil.

Yet if only we would continually fix our eyes upon our mighty God, we would see such a different picture, one both refreshing and empowering. Read more