480. PSA 119:130. THE WORD OF GOD COMPARED TO LIGHT
Psa_119:130. The Word Of God Compared To Light
"The entrance of thy words giveth light."’97Psa_119:130.
"And a light unto my path."’97Psa_119:105.
Light is the emblem of Deity, "For God is light, and in him is no darkness at all," 1Jn_1:5. Christ is the light of the world. Saints are children of the light and of the day. The gospel is the glory of God, shining forth in the face of Jesus Christ. The holy scriptures are as a light shining in our dark and benighted world. The pious psalmist felt they were to him "as a light unto his path," and rejoiced in the experience expressed in the text, "The entrance of thy word giveth light." Notice, I The Resemblance of the Divine Word to Light.
II. The Nature of that Reception we should give it.
III. The important Benefits we derive from it.
I. The Resemblance of the Divine Word to Light.
1. There is the manifesting character of light.
Light makes manifest. Through it we behold the wonders of the divine works Thus the word of God is a revelation of God’s mind, and of his saving work. It is the visible discovery of God’s love and mercy to our world. What could we know of God,’97of creation,’97of ourselves,’97of the divine will,’97of eternity, without the light of God’s blessed word?
2. There is the clear character of light.
Through its transparent medium we behold things distinctly and fully. So the word of God is a clear medium of knowledge. We have in it, the truth, distinctly and amply. It is not like the vague equivocal answers of the pagan oracles, or the ambiguous guesses of human fallible knowledge, but it makes known every great and important subject so lucidly, and yet so simply, that a wayfaring man need not en therein.
3. There is the beautiful character of light.
It is light which invests every external object in nature with its color and hue. So all the subjects of God’s word possess a celestial beauty and heavenly hue. It is unlike every other volume, and as superior as the heavens are higher than the earth, or the works of God superior to those of men. This will apply to the narratives, histories, prophecies, doctrines, and poetry of the sacred volume.
4. There is the purity of light.
Water is easily defiled or poisoned. The air is liable to the influence of contagion. But light, fair emblem of its author, ever retains its transparent purity. Such is the purity of God’s word. It has no admixture of error. It is as pure as the mind of its immaculate source. It is all pure, and God has preserved it through all the ages since it was written from human corruption. "Every word of God is pure." Notice,
5. The universal character of light.
God has diffused it throughout our world. It is one of God’s great blessings to the earth on which we dwell. It is sent for all, free to all, and enjoyed by all, (except the blind.) Such is the character of God’s word. His gift to the whole world. It is designed for the enlightening of every human being. None are excluded from its benefits but those who dwell in pagan darkness, or wilfully close their eyes against it. Observe.
II The Nature of that Reception we should give it.
1. We should behold the light.
God calls us to do so. He has given us the faculties to understand it. And he calls us to open our eyes, and, with attention and the spirit of seriousness, to know the things which God hath revealed, and which belong to our peace.
2. He calls us to rejoice in it.
It is, and ever ought to be, pleasant to see the light. But the light of God’s word is still more precious, and ought to excite in our minds the liveliest emotions of grateful joy. We ought to hail the light of God’s word with fervent thanksgiving to his holy name.
3. He expects our improvement from it.
The entrance of God’s word must be experimental. It must enter the heart. Be received into the affections. Retained in the memory. And "dwell richly" in us. Influencing our thoughts, and purposes, and actions. "Thy word have I hid in my heart," &c.
III. The Important Benefits we derive from it.
"The entrance of thy words giveth light." By the cordial reception of God’s word we obtain,
1. The light of the divine favor.
His word, says the psalmist, converteth the soul, Psa_19:7. By receiving his word, we yield to his divine authority, and own his right to exercise his authority over us, Joh_5:24,Joh_8:32.
2. The light of holy joy.
His word rejoices the heart, Psa_19:8. It is as a spring of living water, spreading happiness and peace through the soul. The word impresses its own likeness and spirit on the soul. See 1Pe_1:8.
3. The light of cheering hope.
By the regenerating power of the incorruptible seed of the word of God, believers are begotten to a lively hope, &c., 1Pe_1:3. As the word converts and renovates the soul, so it opens before the mind the prospect of heavenly and eternal glory. And the entrance of God’s word gives light under all the changing circumstances of life. It gives light in adversity,’97in trouble,’97in temptation,’97in affliction,’97under bereavements. And it illumines the dark valley and shadow of death. The divine word is the light of God’s sanctuary,’97of the Christian family,’97of the believer’s closet.
Application
Learn,
1. How thankful we should be for the word of God.
2. With what diligence we should peruse its sacred contents.
3. With what prayer for the Holy Spirit’s assistance should we devoutly meditate upon it.
4. How anxious we should be for its diffusion. How desirable that all the world should possess it, and walk in its saving, joyous light. "O Lord, send out thy light and truth," &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS