But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
Proverbs 4:18 (ESV)
Series Focus: “Let There Be Light”
What would you do if a genie’s lamp was real, and you were the one who stumbled upon it? After all, according to Google, the symbolic nature of the lamp is said to be life, the light of divinity, wisdom, intellect, and good works. And let’s not forget, by freeing the ‘genie,’ you are granted three wishes. You could wish for health, money, friends, power, or anything at all—you name it, and it is yours. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to speak out what you want and then just get it? As good as that sounds, I think we all know life just doesn’t work that way. There is only One who holds this power, and He is the Lord God almighty of the Bible. He is sovereign over all things. It is He who provides, protects, shepherds and teaches us. His light will shine upon us and our ways as we abide in Him and seek His will.
As we have discovered over the past few weeks, God’s Light leads, guides and shines upon us. Light breaks through confusion, fear and doubt. We carry His Light with us as we are called and positioned to fulfill His purpose. Are we humble vessels for the Lord to use? Being a light for Christ is an extraordinary privilege and we must never lose sight of who truly is in control of it. God’s light will only be used for His will and wishes, not ours. Let’s dig into a scripture that looks harmless at first, but if taken or interpreted out of context can lead us to wrong thinking very quickly.
You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.
(Job 22:28)
This verse was spoken by a man named, Eliphaz, not God. Eliphaz was a friend of Job. While we learn much from Job’s experiences, today we focus upon his relationship with God and how even in the darkest places, God’s light will shine through when we walk in His ways.
In short, Job loved God. He had it all – wife, family, servants, land, livestock, and money. Satan asked and received permission from God to test Job’s faithfulness. God allowed this test, all the while holding complete confidence in Job’s faith. Yes, it’s true. Satan brought pain, loss and destruction upon Job, his family, and all he owned. Job, a man whose life was full of God’s light was now apparently dim and lost. Would light ever shine upon his path again? Yes! God ultimately blessed Job for his faithfulness. As Job continued to praise God and put his trust and hope in Him—even in the midst of loss—God’s will was to restore Job.
If we aren’t careful, we may look at the scripture above and think anything “we” say, God will do. Our words do not bring about anything outside of God’s sovereignty. We pray, we intercede, we cry out and we ask God to please do something for us or others. We believe He will answer, we have faith in Him to move, and we pray in agreement with others. But we must ask that HIS will be done—not ours. If we disregard His will, then we are asking from a place of selfishness, pride or wrongful authority. God’s light will shine upon our ways when they are lined up with His ways. His will – His way.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
(John 15:4 ESV)
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
We may never fully understand the trials, pain or struggles we encounter. It may feel as if the light has dimmed upon our path. We do not always have or receive the answers all of the time. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:9-13 how we should pray. In this prayer, often called The Lord’s Prayer, we are taught to ask that the Father’s will be done. Abide in Him, sisters! His will is best. Be encouraged as His Light shines upon your ways because you have trusted in His perfect will.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Proverbs 4:18, 13:12, 16:9, 18:21; Job 22:28; John 15:4; Matthew 6:9-13, 7:7