COMFORT IN TRIALS
Christ as the Rising Sun Visiting Us from on High
Luke 1:78-79 Because of the merciful compassions of our God, in which the rising sun will visit us from on high, to shine upon those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Christ as the Rising Sun Visiting Us from on High
“Because of the merciful compassions of our God, in which the rising sun will visit us from on high, to shine upon those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (1:78-79). As the rising sun Christ appeared to those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. Jesus the Savior was the dawning sun to the dark age. Before Christ came, the earth was in a dark night. With His coming as the sun, there was the dawning of day, and the earth began to be enlightened by Him. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, msg. 274)
Christ is the rising sun from on high visiting us to appear to those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. We Christians were the ones who were walking in darkness and sitting in the shadow of death. Then we received the Lord’s shining, and that shining saved us. When we have light, everything is in order. If I awake late at night, I dare not go into the kitchen if there is no light there. We cannot see in the darkness, and we do not know what lurks in the darkness. When we see everything, we have peace.
This Light Being the True Light
and the Light of Life
This light is the true light and the light of life (vv. 9, 4; 8:12). This light “shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (1:5). Darkness cannot overcome light. Wherever light goes, darkness flees. Light subdues, defeats, and overcomes darkness. A brother may be quarreling with his wife, but when the light shines within him, he stops quarreling. He exchanged words with his wife because he was in darkness. But when the light shines, darkness is gone, and he stops quarreling. When darkness is present, everything is in disorder. But when light is present, everything is in order, and everyone is at peace.
Christ as the great light shined in the darkness and brought us into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9). We can see the Christian life in Isaiah 9:1-5 with the enjoyment of Christ as the great light, and this great light is the true light, the light of life. The shining of the light is our salvation. Christ saves us by shining in us. (Life-study of Isaiah, msg. 37)
Shining upon Us to Guide Our Feet into the Way of Peace
Christ has shined upon us in order to guide our feet into the way of peace. When we were in darkness and in the shadow of death, we were walking on a way in which there was no peace. However, now that we have been saved, having received Christ as our Savior, we can testify that we are in the way of peace. Our feet are being guided to take the peaceful way. The Christian life is a life of peace. This is altogether due to Christ’s shining. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, msg. 274)
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, praise You as the rising sun from on high visiting us. This light is the true life and light of life. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness never prevail against the light. Oh, Lord, I need You. I take You as my light. Lord, I turn to You. Take away my darkness, shine upon me, and guide my feet into the way of peace.