"And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the
darkness." --Genesis 1:4
Light might well be good since it sprang from that fiat of goodness, "Let
there be light." We who enjoy it should be more grateful for it than we are, and
see more of God in it and by it. Light
physical is said by Solomon to be
sweet, but
gospel light is infinitely more precious, for it reveals
eternal things, and ministers to our immortal natures. When the Holy Spirit
gives us
spiritual light, and opens our eyes to behold the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ, we behold sin in its true colours, and ourselves in
our real position; we see the Most Holy God as He reveals Himself, the plan of
mercy as He propounds it, and the world to come as the Word describes it.
Spiritual light has many beams and prismatic colours, but whether they be
knowledge, joy, holiness, or life, all are divinely good. If the light received
be thus good, what must the
essential light be, and how glorious must be
the place where He reveals Himself. O Lord, since light is so good, give us more
of it, and more of Thyself, the true light.
No sooner is there a good thing in the world, than
a division is
necessary. Light and darkness have no communion; God has divided them, let
us not confound them. Sons of light must not have fellowship with deeds,
doctrines, or deceits of darkness. The children of the day must be sober,
honest, and bold in their Lord's work, leaving the works of darkness to those
who shall dwell in it for ever. Our Churches should by discipline divide the
light from the darkness, and we should by our distinct separation from the world
do the same. In judgment, in action, in hearing, in teaching, in association, we
must discern between the precious and the vile, and maintain the great
distinction which the Lord made upon the world's first day. O Lord Jesus, be
Thou our light throughout the whole of this day, for Thy light is the light of
men.
Morning and Evening Index
