The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Shining Light"
"A tiny mustard seed of trust moves mountains, declared the Lord Jesus. A faint flicker of faith, lit and fueled by the vast and raging furnace of our Father's faithfulness, will be enough to fill our being with light, and our pathway with glories 'as the shining light.' "
In Christ, our future is as bright as we will allow and expect it to be.
"The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18).
Let us, of course, acknowledge as we begin this consideration that a progressive brightness of our Lord's light does not suggest a life without significant challenge, hardship, and difficulty. "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). The truth we consider rather promises in our present existence the possibility of God illuminating our hearts in times of light known in light, and of "the light" that "shineth in darkness" (John 1:5).
If we could ask the martyrs, for example, "What was the occasion of seeing God's brightest measure of light during your earthly lifetime?", to a person they would all answer that their martyrdom provided the most vivid display of His glory. Certainly, they felt the pains of their sacrifice. But they knew the fulfilled promise of His "very present help in trouble" even more (Psalm 46:1). "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:2).
Do we believe it possible that God's light can "shine more and more unto the perfect day" regardless of circumstance, situation, and condition? Is He that present? That involved? That willing? That able? Does His light actually have that lumen of brightness? Is He who He proclaims Himself to be? Our answer will determine our experience of a future - including whatever this day will bring our way - wherein God reveals His glory in venues that shine with His obvious light, and in places of darkness that shine even more brightly. He is indeed that present, that involved, that willing, and that able.
We must discover this truth about our God, and then "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). He is the issue. Indeed, we might think we do not have enough faith to experience the promise of ever increasing light. This is not the issue, at least not the issue. God's faithfulness rather ignites and stokes the flame of our hearts and minds as we look to Him. A tiny mustard seed of trust moves mountains, declared the Lord Jesus (Matthew 17:20). A faint flicker of faith, lit and fueled by the vast and raging furnace of our Father's faithfulness, will be enough to fill our being with light, and our pathway with glories "as the shining light." Yes, our future will be as bright as the light of God - and as we expect it to be.
"For Thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness."
(Psalm 18:28)
"My expectation is from Him."
(Psalm 62:5)
Weekly Memory Verse
As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.
(John 1:12)
7084
No comments:
Post a Comment