Here are some random observations and verses from my study of light.
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
~ Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)
Of the Bible's ~370 references to light (contrasting 220+ mentions of darkness), 13 are in the very first chapter.
Light is the Creator's first work.
Light drives back darkness with no more than light's existence.
"The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness."
~ Luke 11:34 (NKJV)
The oil used by lamps for light is also used for healing, anointing, and to show favor.
The Oxford Dictionary's entry for "light" includes this sub-entry:
SEE THE LIGHT : 2 undergo religious conversion
"Light" is a word stemming from Old English leōght, while "delight" has its origin in the Latin delectare for "to charm." Despite the lack of an etymological connection, I can't help but see a strong connection between the two.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
~ 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
In the above verse, the Greek word translated "marvelous" ("wonderful" in the NIV) is thaumastos, rooted in a verb describing the act of looking at something deliberately, intently, carefully, contemplatively, attentively—with admiration—in the effort to interpret it.
Another post on light is planned for Monday.
Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
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Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
as to your "random observvations" concerning light, you surely are stirring things up a bit on this end. right from the beginninng with that ouch list to here. for weeks now i've had the substance of that verse(I Peter 2:9) on my mind but didn't know where it came from and almost asked about it during house group. but didn't because it was off topic. i was surprised to see it here yesterday. this morning i dug a bit deeper into it. it goes well with that ouch list on the darkness post. HE is doing very well in your randomness. \o/
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you I once kept a notebook with every reference to darkness and light as I read through the scriptures? I'm telling you right now, you can't go many verses without the topic(s) coming up. I let go the practice when it appeared I'd nearly copied the entire Word. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou, my friend, are light to me. The way it reflects off you. No, that's not right. The way it reflects out of you. I trust you know that already.
(I came and tried to comment the other day but got a little backlash from my computer. I appreciated your post on the other side of light as well.)
I enjoyed your observations sis.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has experienced both the light and darkness, I can really relate to these observations. When we've lived in the dark, "light" has a whole new meaning. It's no wonder God uses it so often in His word. If we dig deep into the Word, His purposes spring to life through these beautiful word pictures. It blows my mind!
ReplyDeleteBud, you KNOW I'm always glad to hear that the Lord is answering my prayers, and speaking to others through my imperfect words. \o/ with you!
ReplyDeleteYes, sweet Lyla, you did tell me about your own study of Light and Darkness. I've thought of you often this week. So many verses, too, as I've looked through them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for seeing light in me. All glory to God for His willingness to use me. The more I know Him, the less adequate I feel as a vessel of His light; the more amazed and grateful I am that He uses me.
(And I think it entirely fitting that the Lord, for whatever reason, allowed a computer glitch that did not permit your name to appear on the post on the other side of light. : )
So glad, Denise. I owe you an email dear. Tomorrow I hope. ♥
ReplyDeleteJenn, I SO understand what you're saying about mind-blowing. The power of the Word, and how God enables us to see its inherent life when we dig in, is powerful, powerful stuff. Can you BELIEVE He entrusts such treasure to us puny humans? I love Him so much!
ReplyDeleteAnne, I really miss you and hope you're well. Thank you for your help. Light... In the creation story God creates Light on the first day, but doesn't make the sun and stars until the fourth day. I've always wondered if the "Light" in the first day was God creating the physical laws that would govern the universe: gravitational constant, speed of light, and so forth.
ReplyDeleteAmy, my guess is that you'll appreciate today's post on light in relation to creation. Yes, light existed well before sun, moon and stars. The theory of Evolution will can never be reconciled with the Bible.
ReplyDeleteAs for laws of time, gravity, speed of light, etc., I'm inclined to believe those exist in only this world. I see God existing outside of time, and I'm not even sure if time exists outside of the created realm. As for the speed of light, I've long believed that to be relative. Your take on neutrinos being faster than light would be of interest to me.
I'm just getting a chance to read your posts, but I've been meditating on light and praying on it for weeks now! Very interesting how God puts these things together. :) Thanks Anne.
ReplyDeleteJason, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who can take a long time to catch up with my RSS feed. You bless me by sharing. (PS: Sorry I didn't get an everyday testimony up this time. It has been an absolute CRAZY schedule this week!)
ReplyDelete