The New Testament gives us several names of God from the words of Jesus. Today I want to focus on God as the Light of the World. John 1:4-5 speaks of Jesus, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The properties of this light from God brings life, enlightenment, hope, clarity from darkness both physical and spiritual and a promise that no darkness- no matter how evil- will not overcome it. I find incredible hope in that promise.

In John 8:12 Jesus specifically calls himself the light of the world, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This verse continues the promise of light meant for all the world and His light brings life without fear.

Light has been a beacon for mankind and a symbol of hope from God throughout the ages. He used a pillar of fire to lead the Israelites as described in Exodus 13:21 “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.” God was going to provide for them in the night, times of darkness. David saw God’s light in his life so many times. Psalm 18:28 “For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.” Psalm 27:1“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” He also saw light in God’s Word, Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Daniel’s prayer of praise in Daniel 2:22-23, names God as light. “He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;
²² he reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
    and the light dwells with him.“

In Ephesian 5:7-9 Paul encourages us to emulate Jesus and walk in His light as His children. “Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸ for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),” 1 John 1:5 tells us the God is light, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” John also gives us reason to follow Jesus in 1 John 5:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

We can trust that God is light and that His light was shown to all the world without reservations when Jesus came as our Savior. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know God’s light in my life, walk with Him and have no fear of darkness. God promised to overcome the world through Jesus. John 16:33b ” I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Take heart in His light as you walk with Him today!

Linda