light & shadows

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (I John 1:5)

Sunday morning in church, we heard about light... the light that God is, and how He pushes out the darkness. In Him, there is no darkness at all.

If you're like me, the feeling of being in the presence of light goes in waves... a splash of light here, a splash of light there... but then sometimes there are just seasons of shadows that leave you wondering if there is, indeed, light to be found.

The thing is, though, is that in all seasons, if we are in Jesus, we are in the light... it is not something we have to pursue or find. We must continue to choose to walk in the light... but it's not like we are in the darkness and have to chase after it. It is there, covering us, in all seasons and in all moments. Along with I John 1, we read in Psalm 36, working through themes of preservation and abundance. God preserves us! He keeps us in the light, offering strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

"This is a God that by his nature desires to preserve us [...]," the speaker preached - "When we have fellowship, He says, then our joy is full. Not just that we have some good days here and there, just that on the average, you know, we're having more positive than negative. No, we have FULL joy (I John 1:4) God is a God that preserves us. God is a God that desires good for us. And we can enter into the fulness of joy (Psalm 16)."

We must have the humility to be found of Him... not to find Him, ourselves, but to allow Him to find us. To enter into fellowship with God and fellowship with the saints, and to have fulness of joy... requires humility, and an acknowledgement that we need to be preserved. We need to be protected by God, to be under the shadow of His wings... to find refuge... in the light... daily.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine with 10, 000 beside

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me