196. Lighten the Darkness
2 Samuel 22:29 For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.
God promises to lighten our darkness. First, the Word reveals darkness to us; it shows us what kind of deep darkness we are in. Second, the Word reveals light to us; Jesus is the light of the world. By faith the light enters our dark hearts, forgives sin, and pushes away the darkness. Now we see; now we live in the light of God and the light of life; now we see God with all His abundant blessings; now we are filled with the light of joy and peace and love. The light of the Gospel shines upon Jesus: we see Him, we believe Him, and live in His light as He lives in us. And now we shine the gospel light of Christ to the world around us.
The promise of light guides our steps through the darkness onto the right path. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path [Psalm 119:105].” The Light (Jesus) in us shines on my feet and guides me on the path. Without the light all we can do is grope in the darkness of sin and we can do nothing but get lost. Jesus is the light who shines on our feet and our path so that we might know where we are and where we are going. Oh, how much we need such clear guidance! And we have this promise: the Lord will lighten my darkness. We note, first of all, that it is my darkness that is the problem. I am the problem. My sin, my world, and my flesh are the problem. The devil falsely promises all kinds of “lights,” but they all disappoint and lead me only into darkness, destruction and death.
Jesus puts me on the narrow path that leads to life and the blinding light of heaven. I can only see the distant light of God very faintly as my destination (as through a glass darkly), but Jesus is here with the Word shining on my feet so that I can always know the next step, even if I cannot see very far down the path. I trust this promise with the result that I follow Him, for He will always unerringly lead me to a good place.
I cannot see the end point of the path, but I see Jesus, and if I see Him clearly I can be sure that I am on the right path, the path of light and life. Jesus, the Spirit, and the Word lights the good and great way. Trusting in this promise we follow Jesus daily through repentance and faith in the Gospel.