February 18, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of His servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God. But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from My hand: You will lie down in torment.” (Isaiah 50.10-11)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

Jesus taught, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5.14) It would seem that there is a great fundamental misunderstanding of the use of light when it comes to the Kingdom of God. The Word given to Isaiah as instruction for Israel is clear on this point. First, there is the focus on the light. Second, there is the focus on what is in the light. In today’s entertainment world (and I would include the Church in this assessment), we are generated with energy to focus on what is in the light and call it good, worthy, trustworthy and priceless. We are directed to “walk into the light,” “be in the limelight” and “let our light shine.” The audience fades to black while the stage ignites in a firestorm of color highlighting the activity on stage. Do I have your attention in this moment? Are you able to see clearly what I am describing? The focus is on what is in the light.

Jesus did not teach, “I AM in the light; all eyes focused on Me is what I desire.” No, Jesus said, “I AM the light of the world. Whoever walks with Me shall never walk in darkness but have the light of life.” (John 8.12) There is a difference between being in the light and being the light. Even those who are sharing in the walk of faith are not desiring to be seen as if faith is the spotlight on them. Rather, they are a part of the light which illuminates the darkness so that there will be fewer and fewer people lost in the dark. Yet, those who have faith and walk in the darkness trusting in God whom they cannot see will be seen by God and blessed, protected and brought forth into the light. Even then they are not put center stage. Rather, they are a part of the light which shines. The light is the glory of God.

This is in stark contrast to those who create their own light. Do they really? Does anyone actually believe they created their own light? Or is the truth that they used the light to draw attention to themselves. They broke the light into its myriad of particles and manipulated them so they can be seen. The focus is on them and not on the light. We may marvel at their “light” show but the credit for it goes to them and away from the light. It is as if “they” are now the light. Is that the truth of the matter? God declares in today’s Word (Isaiah 50.11) that those who light their own torches and set their own fires (and the word is concurrent with their own passions) will become consumed by them. They will not be illuminated by them. What will be seen is the residue of their lives. One of the most horrible images I have seen of the horror of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the flash burn remains of people on the walls of houses as they were exposed to the nuclear blast. It was as if their shadows were forever etched into the walls. All that remained were the shadows of death. Will Hell be like this? What is visible are the shadows of death in which there is no light? We think of magma being pushed up and out of volcanic craters oozing down the mountainside and spewing up in the air and see the hot burning colors of red, orange, yellow glowing white hot. However, as it begins to cool there is a dark crusted covering which blocks out the light until there is no more light. What of that burning lake of fire? Is there really light there or is it a burning that is cold and dark? Who are those in the dark but those that are lost.

Yet, those who are in the darkness of the world and who trust in the Lord God will be found in the light of His mercy and grace. When they are doing the works of God for His sake and the sake of others, there may be no spotlights on them; still God sees them because there is light in them which the darkness cannot consume. Mighty ones of God, this is the calling by which we have been called. We are not called to be “in the light” as if it is focused on us. No, we are called to be the light which searches out the darkness to expose the wrong and to bring to light those who are seeking to be saved. This is another way of looking at the incarnation of God’s Word as John described it. John said, “In Him was the light of life.” He used that light to shine into the darkness of people’s hearts, minds, souls and spirits so they could know the truth which would set them free. So, are we to do the same.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness which we know is folly but righteous works which declare Your glory and further witness the truth that can set all who believe free from death. So may we live by the name of Jesus our Christ. AMEN.