“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:3-4)
Initially, the created cosmos was in darkness—a darkness that God Himself had to create (“I form the light, and create darkness”—Isaiah 45:7). But then the dark cosmos was energized by the Spirit’s moving, and God’s light appeared. The darkness was not dispelled, however, but only divided from the light, and the day/night sequence began, which has continued ever since.
This sequence of events in the physical creation is a beautiful type of the spiritual creation, “a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Each individual is born in spiritual darkness, but “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). We are now “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,” because He “hath delivered us from the power of darkness” (Colossians 1:12-13).
However, the light in the primeval darkness resulted only in a division of night and day. The night still comes, but God has promised that in the coming Holy City, “there shall be no night there” (Revelation 22:5).
Just so, even though we have been given a new nature of light, the old nature of darkness is still striving within, and we have to be exhorted: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, (Ephesians 5:8). Nevertheless, “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.” (Proverbs 4:18). When we reach that city of everlasting light, all spiritual darkness will vanish as well, for "but nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. ” (Revelation 21:27), and we shall be like Christ.
HYMN - I AM WAITING FOR THE DAWNING - By S. Trevor Francis
I am waiting for the dawning Of that bright and glorious day, When the darksome night of sorrow Shall have vanished far away; When forever with the Saviour, Far beyond this vale of tears, I shall swell the hymn of worship Thru the everlasting years.
I am looking at the brightness, See, it shineth from afar, Of the clear and joyous beaming Of the Bright and Morning Star; Thru the dark grey mist of morning I behold its glorious light; Then away with ev'ry shadow Of this sad and weary night.
I am waiting for the coming Of the Lord who died for me; Oh, His words have thrilled my spirit, "I will come again for thee." Faith can almost hear Christ's footfall On the threshold of the door, And my heart, my heart is longing To be with Him evermore
The lyrics for this hymn are in the public domain and may be shared or reproduced without obtaining permission.
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