Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Darkness vs Light

Darkness
See the white outline?  That’s North Korea.  How obvious it is from space that these people are living in darkness. It brought to mind:

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. (John 12:46 KJV)

Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:2:

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (Matthew 4:16 KJV)

We know that light to be the Messiah, Jesus. The Bible says He told people so:

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV)

Jesus also said:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14 KJV)

Obviously, we are not bringing His light to all, but we’re trying.  I know of a radio personality who has worked toward getting Bibles into North Korea.  Not an easy task. Last year the focus was on getting Bibles into Africa.

Decades ago, in Girls Auxiliary, we memorized:

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1 KJV)

That’s the source of the biblical light – God’s glory.  The same glory that shown around the angels announcing Jesus’ birth. The same that filled the temple and that Moses saw in the wilderness. The Children of Israel carried word of that light, eventually to all mankind.

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:2-3 KJV)

So, we have been tasked.  Have we fulfilled?

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV)