Day 81 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Light

Proverbs 13:9 [ESV] The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

The word used for light in this proverb is the same word used in Genesis 1:3 [KJV] where it says, And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

In that beginning, God called for light in this world.

The word used here for “rejoices” means to brighten up or cheer up. If you are at all like me, seeing a sunrise or sunset, seeing a blue sky with puffy white clouds, seeing sunlight dance across the water of a lake or the ocean, or watching sunlight glitter through the leaves of the trees brings joy to your heart. Sunlight can cheer us up and brighten our days. Sunlight can even reduce depression.

But the light of the sun is not the only light meant to bring joy and cheer to this earth.

God sent Jesus to light the world, as we read in John 8:12 [ESV] - 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." We praise God for the light that Jesus brings to this sin darkened world. However, there is more. Jesus is not the only one tasked with lighting the world.

Matthew 5:14 [ESV] tells us, You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

We believers also have a responsibility to brighten the lives of others – to cheer up the downtrodden of this world. We can do that in the same way that Jesus did. How did Jesus bring light? First of all He used words of hope. He spoke about God’s great love for all mankind and His plan of salvation. He gave people hope for the future. He promised to bring everyone into the family and Kingdom of God. He said He would make room in the Father’s mansion for each of us.

We can shed light into this world too, by using words of hope too. We can tell others about what God has in store for us, about salvation through Jesus and about the hope we have in Him.

Jesus also brought light by His actions. He feed the hungry and prayed for the sick so they might be healed. We can feed the hungry. We can pray for the sick. These are just a few of the ways that we can imitate the light-giving work of Jesus.

Sisters, when God originally said “let there be light”, the sun, the moon and the stars appeared in the heavens. In creating mankind in His image and calling us to be His children who are to be doing His work in the world, He is also saying “let there be light” and we must respond. We are called to shine His light into this dark world. Let there be light. Let that light be you. Shine on, my sisters.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for the light that Jesus brought to this world. Please help me to also answer your call to be the light of the world, to cheer up those around me, to cause others to rejoice. Let me shine your light out into the world as Jesus did. In His name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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