#1123. In your light we see light (16/8/24)

Welcome to the Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. This week, we’ve been reflecting on the theme of light. Today, we finish by considering how God’s light and nature are infinitely inspiring. 

To watch this devotional, follow the link below:

I remember visiting Rome and being struck by the number of beautiful fountains that a littered throughout that city - around 2000 in total! People love fountains as, like living sculptures, they inspire us in so many ways. This Psalm gives us a wonderful image of a fountain that pours out life that, if one drinks or bathes in it, will be filled with ever increasing light. 

i. Jesus is the fountain of life

God is ‘the fountain’ from which all natural and spiritual life flows. Before God created the universe, He existed in all eternity - Father, Son and Spirit, together and full of joy. At that moment, there was only life and light because there was only God. When the Psalm says that ‘with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light’,  we are reminded of the words of John:  

All life flows from God as the water from the ‘fountainhead’. All forms of life - spiritual and natural - are the work of our creator God. All life in creation, speaks of the glory of God - All natural life is a ‘light’ that declares the glory of God. Added to this, there is the spiritual life that The Spirit gives to us in regeneration. 

ii. In your light we see the light of Christ

In this new life that The Spirit gives, we see the light of Christ and the gospel. As a newborn child has a natural impulse to feed from her mother, so a newborn child of God feeds on Christ and rests in the arms of the cross. 

iii. In your light we see the light of meaning

Added to the light of Jesus filling us, the Christian is also flooded with an enlightened perspective on life. Whatever life was about for someone, when they meet Christ, their purpose and meaning is radically transformed. A Christian’s life is filled with the light of God-given meaning a purpose. To put it simply, we now live for the glory of God in all things. 

iv. In your light we see our darkness and the light of holiness

A Christian who is enlightened by Jesus will increasingly understand God's will for them. Their moral life will be enlightened. In the light of Jesus, we are given the light of understanding regarding His will. To say that you accept Jesus without His Lordship is like saying to me, ‘Matthew, you can come in but leave Beaney outside’! As I am Matthew Beaney so Jesus is The Lord Jesus - coming into His light involves embracing holiness. 

v. In your light we see ever-increasing light in eternity

When Jesus gifts us with new spiritual life - regeneration - He pours into us the initial revelation of the light of Christ and the gospel. Christians, through regeneration and  the gospel, enter into the light of God and, throughout this life and eternity, will see more and more light. As gold is not found at the entrance to the mine, but further in a further down, so becoming a Christian is only entering and the beginnings of the mine of the glory and beauty of Jesus. 

Human beings are very creative; whether it’s music, art, clothing… there is infinite variety and novelty to find and enjoy. Many people like to explore antique shops because of the endless variety of human creation. If this life can offer endless interest and beauty, how much is there to explore and enjoy in God. Throughout this life and through eternity, He will amaze us and captivate us as light gives way to more and brighter light. As the groom removes the veil from His bride so life and eternity will be an endless removal of veils. 

In response, when we think of heaven and future glory, ensure that we adjust our expectations to the glory of God; when we go to see a show or film, our expectation are adjusted by the producer, artists and budget; likewise, our future glory is a front row seat to see God Almighty and His works in The New Heavens and New Earth. In His light we will see ever more light! Spurgeon wrote of Jesus:

In His light there is yet more and more light!

Community group notes and study

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Our message on Sunday, Inspired from Psalm 76:4, reflected on what it means for God to be ‘radiant light’. The Bible often uses light to speak of the appearance and ways of God; God’s light draws our attention to His holy and good nature, and, secondly, light speaks of His good ways that cast darkness out of our lives. Our message can be summarised as: God’s light restores worship and holiness. 

Please read Psalm 76:4

• Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?

• What would you say are the main teaching points of this short section of  Psalm 76?

• Why does God sometimes show His light (His glory) in a visible form? (See Luke 9:28-31 for example)

• What does God’s light and glory teach us about His nature?

• What does God’s light and glory teach us about His will for us?

• What does 1 John 1:5-6 teach about the fruit that must attend anyone’s profession of faith?

• Prayer - It might be good to pray for one another regarding anything that has come out of this challenging study.

• SIV - Why is the pursuit of worship and holiness vital for us to be a light to this world? 

• SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?

• SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.