In The Light


Psa 89:15  Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O 

	LORD, in the light of thy countenance. 


	The most effective and efficient way to keep something from being seen 

that is of an unacceptable appearance is to simply-turn out the lights. A 

nighttime trip in a car will be cut short with the loss of headlights. An 

evening sports event will have to be cancelled or postponed if there is a power 

outage and the lights go out. During hours of darkness or storm the chances of 

shipwreck along the shore are greatly increased if the lamp in the lighthouse 

isn't maintained and kept from going out. The person who seemed so attractive 

during talks in dimly lit places can make a very different impression in the 

light that reveals the blemishes and imperfections. 


	The presence of lighting is most essential in so many areas of life. Many 

things will not even be attempted without it. Some joys in living will never be 

experienced if there is never an entrance of light. There are also times, 

though, when there is a comfort in the shadows, as they bring a covering and 

concealment of those things that would be better left hidden away. Relationships 

may be given a longer existence when the partner is left in the dark (either 

physically or figuratively) about certain things.  The most effective surprise 

attacks in battle usually take place under the cover of darkness. While there 

may be these liberating and enabling aspects of light's effect, for many it will 

only make them have to deal with what it reveals. 


Lev 10:1  And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his 

	censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange 

	fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 

Lev 10:2  And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they 

	died before the LORD. 

Lev 10:3  Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I 

	will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I 

	will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. 


	I would think Aaron's sons were maybe just trying to have some fun in 

diverting a little from the exact procedures in which they had been so well 

trained. They possibly thought nobody would even notice	the difference, and 

it really shouldn't be such a big deal anyway. However, they, like Ananias and 

Sapphira in Acts discovered that there was something very dangerous about coming 

into the presence of God with even the slightest deception. The same God who 

knew about all their needs and provided so well, also knew about all their deeds 

and was uncompromising in His requirement of holiness. There was no darkness 

that could effectively conceal the corrupt nature of their offerings, and they 

had to endure the severe effects of their revelation in the light of God's 

presence. 


	There is a walk to be taken where a joyful sound becomes most familiar as 

it flows continually from a heart completely exposed in the Glory's light. This 

walk, though, that follows a path of abundance, will not be allowed to proceed 

into the shadows of darkness. When we first experience the wonder of God's 

presence, the brightness of His glory may completely overwhelm everything else 

in life. As long as the desire for this glorious touch of His light is 

maintained by abiding in His Word and seeking His face, there isn't a problem 

with the removal of the shadow casting effects of sin and imperfections in our 

life. If, however, there is a longing eye fixed on that thing that had once been 

a part of the life of darkness, the desire for that temporary pleasure may take 

the place of the eternal treasure that was found in God. It may seem to be just 

too much of a sacrifice to have this thing revealed and removed in the light of 

His presence. The choice may be made to just hang out in the shadows of darkness 

where that thing doesn't really have to be dealt with.  


	A temporary weekly excursion into the Glory's Light may be taken just to 

pacify that deep inner longing to live there, but for some reason there is a 

holding on to that thing that is unacceptable in God's presence. Attempting to 

have both, there is an inability to really have either one. In darkness there is 

no light and in the light there is no darkness. If only the reality of life in 

Him could be kept in focus and if only the passion for His presence could 

displace all others, then the walk in the light could be this endless one with a 

new song of joy in every step. 


	It is really possible. If we've ever been there at all it was totally by 

the grace and mercy of God, and by His power we can also remain there. Living in 

holiness and purity before God can be more than just a nice thought, it can be a 

reality. Things that had once kept us back from boldly stepping in the walk of 

holiness can lose their grip as He is given the place of prominence in our 

hearts. We no longer have to be discouraged by our own ineffective attempts at 

darkness removal; all we need be occupied with is the incredible experience of 

His presence. In loving Him more than any of those things that would veil His 

vision, there is maintenance of the Light's shining, removal of darkness, and 

complete enjoyment of His favour in our lives. We must just keep looking and 

loving. He will do the shining. 


Psa 56:13  You pulled me from the brink of death, my feet from the cliff-edge of 

	doom. Now I stroll at leisure with God in the sunlit fields of life. 	

	(Message) 




5/23/04