The Light on Our Path of Righteousness

“But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” (Psalm 4:18-19, AMP)

‘If the sun is not awake, then you aren’t allowed to play yet.’ That’s the rule in our house for our three year old. A few months back, we were going through a phase where she would wake up in the middle of the night and wander the house– usually hiding somewhere so that when we figured out she was out of bed, we would have to search to find her before settling her again. Once she realized that didn’t work, she started coming to our bed every night, which also grew old fast. 

That was when we taught her that when the sun goes down, we go to sleep, and when it rises again we can start a new day of playing. But if she wakes and the sun isn’t up yet, she has to try to go back to sleep. 

For her, the light of dawn signals a new day full of possibility. That’s a common metaphor, even in the book of Proverbs. Even Solomon employs it to teach his son about the light of wisdom and living by faith: that light is bright and illuminates the path we walk as children of God. It still rings true for us today. Following the Lord and His commandments shines a dawning light on our lives– a light that only grows and rises as we continue down the path of righteousness.

By contrast, the ways of the wicked are dark. Those who walk it stumble down it, hopelessly trying to navigate through life fumbling for some sort of steadying guidance. They can’t see the ruts and snares that block them from being tripped up.

The cool thing about the Bible is that it constantly layers upon itself– the cross references confirm and prove the infallibility of the whole. You may read those verses in Proverbs 4 and be reminded of a dozen other verses from throughout the Bible. When we consider the fact that all wisdom and truth comes from the Lord, we can be reminded of John 8:12.

“Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”’ (AMP)

Sound familiar? Jesus is not only the light of the world, but he is a light akin to that dawning light in Proverbs 4. The more we seek God’s wisdom, the brighter that light grows against the darkness we formerly stumbled around in. The more we pursue spiritual understanding, the farther the shadows of poor theology are chased away and the sinful crutches we hold on to can be confronted. The light of that wisdom that we glean from our Savior and the hope we have from leaning on Him are comforts. They are radiant like the new beginning of dawn. They are encouraging and exciting like a fresh day.

We can also look to Matthew 5:14-16, “‘You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”’

Not only is Jesus that light, but we are as well. As we gain more knowledge and wisdom by walking in Jesus’ light on the path of faith, we become lights that magnify Jesus to the world. We become little testimonies to the grace by which we live. We are not perfect by any means, but the God we follow is; the path He lays out before us is well-traveled and trustworthy. 

And the reason for which we embrace that light to the extent that we become it ourselves is to not only shine Christ’s light into the dark world, but to also shine God’s glory back to Him. We glorify God by living a life that delights Him, worshiping His holiness and wisdom. As Christians, we should always endeavor to reach those who are stumbling in that darkness and who are in need of God’s wisdom, but our adoration and reverence towards the God who gave His grace to us is the source from which our evangelism comes.

And just like the light of dawn rises to be the full light of day, the more we pursue the Lord, the more brilliant that wisdom becomes, the more preciously we value it, and the stronger our desire to conform our lives to that wisdom is.

So, friends, let’s commit to see God’s word today for the light– the fresh and wonderful gift it is. Let’s be reminded that the opportunity to pursue God’s wisdom and live by it is just as exciting as the soft rays of dawn coming through my toddler’s window in the morning. Be exhilarated to run towards the riches of what lies ahead on this path of righteousness. We have a precious opportunity to know our Lord and Savior. 

Christ loves us enough to not only save us by grace, but also to extend to us the Truth and the wisdom of His Word. Be stirred up again to take hold of that Word and fall in love with its insight and the promises God leaves for us there.