Read Genesis 1:1-5

“Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)

Is it not significant that the first sovereign command of God upon the heavens and the earth is the creation of light? God Himself, the eternal, supernatural light, chose to create natural light as His first priority in the physical universe. Light is also the first act of creation that He observed and declared to be good (see Genesis 1:3). Furthermore, God takes it a step further by ensuring that in the physical universe, light is completely separated from darkness. Then, and only then, could the first day of creation be considered complete.

Throughout the rest of Scripture, light becomes God's most frequently used illustration of who He is and what is good and holy. So let me draw out two points of application from God’s first and favorite picture: Light!

First, it is clear that light is the only response to darkness! Genesis 1:2 tells us that darkness was covering creation, and in response, God said, “Let there be light!” The significance of God’s answer cannot be overstated. Light is not only needed to remove the darkness; it is the only thing that can remove the darkness. When it’s dark in your house, what do you look for? The light switch!

Yet, how often do we find ourselves fighting darkness without light? Rather than using the light to expose the darkness and overcome it, we come at it with fleshly weapons that have no effect. The darkness of sin, the darkness of shame, and the darkness of selfishness cannot be overthrown without the light of God! A soldier can bring his greatest weapons to battle, but if he cannot see, then he cannot win. He will only be flailing in the dark.

Beloved, are you trying to overcome the darkness of sin in your life without light?

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)

Second, it is clear that light can only come from God! God is the one who commands the light and no other! Many can claim to have light, but only God possesses it, and only God can give it. If only God can give it, then why do we try to find it in other places?

When you crumble beneath the weight of condemnation, why do you run to the arms of another and not to God’s? When you are overcome by the battle of sin, why do you retreat to where there is no light instead of to the God of light?

Dear Beloved, you’ve heard the saying, looking for love in all the wrong places, but I ask you, “Are you looking for light in all the wrong places?”

Run to your God, your Savior, Jesus! He is the great light-giver!

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Indeed! Just as God’s first sovereign command in creation was to bring forth light, so too is this God’s first sovereign command in you: Let there be light! Will you walk in His light today?

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light…” (Ephesians 5:8)

“You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5)