LIGHT
D. Devanesen
The Lord knows one’s weakness, yet in such an hour how the Spirit of God may spring up in our hearts. We are specially dependent upon Him in such a meeting. We need to depend entirely upon Him, He who sheds abroad the love of God in our hearts—a wonderful gift from above. We need to be occupied with the mind of the Spirit to get the gain of light in the house of God. The Lord has delighted to establish light in the house of God and we are to allow the divine shining upon us and on our matters, whether personal or assemblywise, in view of a great answer to the will of God in the present time. We need to read the word of God, the Scriptures, in the light of the Holy Spirit. He is the great Dispenser, revealing the hidden
treasures in the Scriptures. May we be fully devoted to the Lord’s interests in our personal matters, as well as in assembly matters. The Lord has set us in a position where, as we abide there, the enemy has no power to harm us. We have a greater power than he who is in the world. So we can overcome in the power of the Spirit and do the will of God.
We read together earlier in Romans 12 as to overcoming evil with good. What a wonderful thing it is to be overcomers! We are set up in a place where the Lord provides wonderful light, so that we can follow Him. We are to walk as children of light (Ephesians 5: 8). At the beginning Jehovah created light because light is essential to see things in a distinct way. God is in the light and in Him there is no darkness at all. We are called out from this world to shine forth in the glory of Christ, called out from this wicked world for His praise and worship. So what a wonderful position the Lord has set up in this scene where each and every one of His own may shine forth to others so that they may recognise us as Christians, having life and light so that others may be attracted to Him. The Lord said, “I am the light of the world”, and we are to represent this light; so we receive light from Him and pass on the light to others in need. Our practical exercises as to our movements and associations of life, and our behaviour, should thus be light and life to direct persons.
I would specially want to say a word for the young people. They are to shine, representing the fine gold (Lamentations 4: 2). It is very important for them to know the Lord and His love and to cultivate their minds in a spiritual way, so that the Lord may dwell in them and form fruit for His glory. We have an example in Samuel—Jehovah spoke to
him and he was a chosen vessel to become a great prophet. Then we have Timothy who, though young, committed himself fully to the Lord and His testimony so that Paul was able to bring him into the fuller knowledge of Christ so that he could shine forth as, in that sense, given by the Lord to Paul. So, beloved brethren, we are “sons of day” (1 Thessalonians 5: 5) and we need to live according to the will of God as long as we are here in this scene.
We have received life from Christ, which is very important, and we need, as we have been reminded, food for our growth. The Lord is able to provide the suitable food needed for each and every one. If we are liking the things of the Lord He will freely provide for us and thus we shall be able to shine forth His glory wherever we go. Christ is light and life for men.
When He was here the light appeared in darkness and the darkness apprehended it not. Men love darkness rather than light. Light exposes, so that men will not come to the light. The present world is refusing the light. Even though we preach the gospel and distribute tracts, men are not interested. It is a great reproach to us to see the condition of the people who are in darkness and not able to see the light.
So, beloved brethren, in this dark city Christ’s name is proclaimed through His grace so that people may obey and repent in answer to that wonderful word. We must do our duty and fulfil our responsibility. If we are Christians, Christ Himself dwells in our hearts. Let us be marked as true Christians. Luke speaks of the seed bearing fruit a hundredfold. Matthew and Mark speak of thirty, sixty and a hundredfold, one in the ascending order, the other in descending order, but Luke is the gospel of grace and speaks only of a hundredfold yield.
How we need to grow in the knowledge of God by the help of the Spirit. The Lord said to the woman in John 4, “Every one who drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinks of the water which I shall give him shall never thirst for ever, but the water which shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into eternal life”. What a wonderful provision for His own! Are we willing to receive it? We need to be filled with it. What a wonderful free gift He provides! We need to give more room to the Spirit, unseen, but well known. We need His control, protection, and guidance.
So may we be marked out as good Christians, having love and joy and peace toward each other, for the glory of God. Let us be exercised to grow by the love and support of the Holy Spirit and be fully committed to the Lord and His interests. Especially for the young ones, this is the time to yield fruit to the glory of God. Time is precious, the days are evil, let us be watchful and prayerful to overcome the power of the enemy. May the Lord bless us and grant wisdom, power, and energy to maintain the testimony in a living way, for His name’s sake.
Word in meeting for ministry, Madras
25 December 1984