“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Proverbs 4:18-19
There is nothing more beautiful on a crisp pre-fall morning when the temperatures are just right, the skies are clear and nature is at peace, than the slow rise of the sun as it warms the surface of the ponds, reflects itself in the dew on the meadow and blinds me on that back country road. There’s something special and warm about those mornings. Agree?
Solomon knew something of what this was like apparently — through experiencing the same sun rise from the same eastern sky as I do each day, he related the growing ambiance of each day to the life of the righteous. That is incredible imagery to know that my path, (I’m righteous because Christ said so in Romans 5:19) will be illuminated by His light evermore increasingly.
Regardless, however, of my circumstances, it doesn’t feel like the sun comes up so spectacularly every day when I’m on that path. In fact, there are days when it feels like the sun doesn’t come up at all.
Some of the most spooky times in my life (growing up in Florida) were the days when we had what we called noon-day thunderstorms. I’m not talking about rain showers — I’m talking about the thick, black and rolling clouds that forces you to turn on the lights because it looks like 8 p.m. outside when it’s actually time for lunch! Weird!
Life on the path can encounter some of those “weird” moments as well. Like the noon-day sun which never stops shining — regardless of the circumstances — God shines His light upon us, even in the midst of dark moments as the storms roll in.
So what do I do when it feels like the light of the Son has stopped shining on my path? What do I do when my dawn casts no shadows? What do I do when I reach for a lamp or wish for a flashlight — something to replace the noon-day Son?
Christ reminded the people in the midst of their own doubts that the Son shines so they will never walk in darkness — even when they see no light.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Though clouds and storms may squelch the light my eyes can see, may the darkness that surrounds me be split by the light of the Son that shines forever in my heart. May I never be fooled into thinking the darkness is absent the Son. May I forever be confident of the steps I take with my eyes closed and my heart wide open, knowing — trusting — believing that His light is Truth and I will never then walk in darkness because I have the light of life!
Amen!
by: Mark Cruver