DEVOTION / Lighting the way

Ever been caught in total darkness? Maybe a cave, a cavern, a windowless room.  When it’s so dark you can’t see your fingers in front of your face, it can be scary… especially if you are in unfamiliar surroundings! Isn’t it amazing how the light of a single match or candle give you vision . . . and hope. 

 Let there be light!

These oft-quoted words from Genesis adorned the cover of the 1899 Eveready catalog. It’s hard to believe that it wasn’t till then that the flashlight was invented and marketed. Torches, lanterns, and oil lamps had led the way down dark paths before flashlights. The flashlight idea originated with Joshua Lionel Cowen – now famous for his iconic Lionel model trains. He envisioned a metal tube with a battery and a light bulb that would light up potted plants. He passed his idea on to a co-worker who became a multi-millionaire!

 For comparison sake, a candle gives off about 13 lumens. A typical antique lantern shines at about 200 lumens. Today, an average flashlight starts at 300 lumens and often reaches the 1000 level. Some tactical flashlights consumers can purchase reach 200,000 lumens! Do not look directly at that light if you value your eyesight!

 Let there be light!

Those words go back to God’s creation when the universe was dark and void.  The Creator brought light to the perfect world at the time of Adam and Eve. The darkness of sin doomed the world, but God pointed man to the coming Light of the World.  Psalm 119:105 reinforces that promise in the words: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

 The Lord’s promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. John 8:12 reads I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  In John 12:35-36, Jesus tells us all to:  Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.

 Bringing light to a dark land

Darkness reigns today in China as the government is on a campaign to extinguish the Gospel light. 316NOW works to shine the light of Jesus and dispel the spiritual darkness. Pray for the work of 316NOW. Pray for the millions of souls trapped in darkness. Pray for freedom that the Gospel light may be spread.

 By Dave Payne