“…in your light do we see light.”

Psalm 36:9b

The grace of God functions much like the sun: apart from it, you live in darkness. This verse from the psalter reminds us of the startling truth that, apart from the light of God in our lives, we are “dead in our sins” and blind to God’s truth (Eph 2:1). It is only when the light of God shines upon us in breathtaking mercy that we can see life for what it was always meant to be: a sacrificial offering lived for the worship and obedience of our great God.

Christian, how easy it is to fall into the trap of believing the light you now see is somehow a product of your own power or progress. No! The life you live has only ever been lit by grace alone. Your initial salvation was an awakening by the glorious grace of God to the truths of the gospel. Remember how your eyes lightened when you first heard about the blood our Savior poured out to forgive you? Remember the tenderness your soul felt when you believed Jesus drew near to you, despite your sins? Remember the freedom when the blindness of your heart was overcome by the light of His Spirit within you? Truly, on that day, in his light you saw light.

Furthermore, the growth you have seen up until now on this well-lit path of sanctification is not by your strength. Find comfort in this, O Christian: the same grace which initially sparked the embers of faith in your heart is the same grace which ultimately will carry the growing flame of love for Christ until the end. The dual lights of His Spirit and Word are the beams piercing daily into your soul to remind you of your security in Christ. You are united to Him. And now, you await an eternal kingdom where you will be with Him forever. In that eternal light—Oh happy day!—we shall finally “see him as he is” in his resplendent glory and majestic worth (1 Jn 3:2). 

As you wait for His return in a dark world, remember this: now that you have seen the light, there is no returning to the darkness. Why tarry in the night any longer? Why return to the groping and grasping? Why make void the light-giving grace of God by intentionally running back to the darkness of your past? Dear Christian, you are now a child of the light. So walk in the light. Make your life about bringing others into this light. Speak of this light. Tell others how happy your soul is to bask in the rays of God’s grace. And pray to the Father above to shine the light of His Spirit upon blinded eyes. Ultimately, this verse finds its culmination in the beautifully-bright Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the “light of the world” (Jn 8:12). This light came into the world, and the “darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:5). Many men physically saw this light, but they could not comprehend it. It is only through the gracious choosing of our Savior that eyes are opened. If you have seen this great Light, be grateful: it was only by grace this truth was revealed to you. The King of Light has opened your eyes to behold His salvation. Now, child of the light, walk daily with Him. “His word is a lamp unto thy feet, a light unto thy path” (Ps 119:105). We shall never walk alone.