6 December 2013 - lighten up

6 December 2013 - lighten up

And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.

We, it turns out, are the blind who are healed.  Without the light of the LORD Jesus we stumble in darkness.  "The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going" (cf. Joh. 12:35).  "If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."
Let us say, "The Lord is my light and my salvation."  Let us walk while we have this light so that we do not stumble. 

Sadly we are often oblivious to the true light that enlightens mankind (cf. Joh 1:9).  He comes to us, but even though we are his own we do not receive him and his truth.  How are false perceptions of reality more compelling to us?  The light of Jesus reveals the truth at the core of things.  That means that without it we are accepting lies instead of truth at least in part.  We are willfully blind and yet cannot even find the light on our own.  It must be revealed to us.  Our eyes must be opened.

“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened. 

The light of our faith is the prerequisite upon which all wisdom and knowledge depends.  Without faith our knowledge is partial and distorted because we distort it to serve our selfish and sinful ends.  Faith surrenders our right to be ultimate arbiter of truth to the LORD who cannot lie (cf. Tit 1:2).

Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

In the light of his truth we realize that there is nothing in this world that can harm us.  All things work together for the good of those who love him (cf. Rom 8:28).  Fear is a sign to us that we are trusting in ourselves and need to come to Jesus and place all of our trust in him.

Ultimately, the light he shines on us opens our eyes to see the one sight which truly matters.

One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.

In this light we shall see Lebanon "changed into an orchard."  In spite of our deafness we will hear "the words of a book" if we just listen to Jesus.  We will hear the words of life from this book.  Herein we "find joy in the LORD" and "rejoice in the Holy One of Israel."

Even as we read his words at this moment let us cry, "Son of David, have pity on us!"  Surely he will open our eyes.