Psalm 36:9 (NASB95) For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
The Bible often speaks of God in connection with light. Both Old and New Testaments use this imagery to communicate an important truth: God is concealed from us. This is not because God is hiding in the shadows, but rather because our human eyes are too weak to perceive him due to the brightness of the light in which he dwells. This metaphoric picture reveals the spiritual reality of sinful humanity. Instead of walking with God in close relationship (Ge 2:4 – 25), sin has rendered humanity utterly unable to approach God (Ex 33:20).
Thankfully, the story does not end there. At Jesus’ incarnation, the light of God came into the world so that we might be given the ability to see God (Jn 12:46; 14:9). Because of what Jesus accomplished on our behalf, we have the ability to see some of God’s light (Ps 36:9). However, even after we come to know God through Christ, we cannot know him fully in this life (1Co 13:9 – 12). Christians look forward to a time when this will not still be the case. There will come a time when God will make all things new and once again dwell face-to-face with his people. When describing that day, the Bible again speaks of the light of God, as it will illuminate the New Jerusalem like the sun (Rev 21:23), and believers will live in the glory of that light for eternity.
As we continue our study of the prayer that the Lord taught His disciples today, may we see that it is “no small matter” that God gives each of us light for our personal journey of doing His will with a clean heart and a clear conscience.
Pastor Mark
Ps. 33:4