In Your Light We See Light
The definition of blindness is the inability to see light.
A woman imprisoned in total darkness, was Helen Keller. Not only did she live in perpetual night but also absolute silence. Born in 1880, at the age of 19 months, Helen contracted an illness that left her blind, deaf, and mute, a terrifying prognosis for the toddler.
From that day until the age of six she was left alone to make sense of the world around her only using three of her five senses: touch, taste, and smell.
What struck me about Helen’s life was though she could not see the world around her, nor hear a sound, she knew there was God before anyone had told her.
“I always knew He was there but didn’t know His name.” – Helen Keller
God’s presence was not hindered by her disability. Before she knew a language, she knew she wasn’t alone, she knew of His love.
Providentially, Anne Sullivan, a teacher of the blind, was sent to the Keller house to work with Helen. Over the course of her young life, she learned to read and write in braille, then to speak. She graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College in 1904. In adulthood Helen became a gifted writer and passionate advocate for the disabled. Despite her inadequacies, her life forged a light-filled future for the physically challenged coming behind her. She wanted her life to reflect the love she had experienced by God. In turn, God used Helen to bless the world.
The Lord established in Scripture that His people would be a blessing to the whole world. As one example, King David set apart the Levites in 1 Chronicles 15:2 and 16:37-41, to minister before the Lord and give thanks for His lovingkindness.
“Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.” 1 Chronicles 16:4
Their sole job was to praise God for who He is. The Levites were the musicians, poets, historians, and attendants of the ark of the covenant.
The Levites were to observe all the goodness and glory of God and declare it before the people and the nations.
After this passage we see an important verse about the Davidic covenant.
“When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever” (emphasis mine). 1 Chronicles 17:11-14
This passage is so hopeful as it points to one who would build a permanent house for God in an eternal kingdom. It has been fulfilled by Jesus in the New Covenant. He is the Offspring of David, rejected Cornerstone, faithful Son, and Builder of God’s house.
Who will be the worshippers and attendants of this new house?
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5; (emphasis mine).
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9; emphasis mine).
The royal priesthood that Jesus inaugurated consisted of worshippers who would proclaim the excellencies of HIM who called us out of darkness into HIS marvelous light. They would be ones who have experienced His light, love, and freedom.
Before faith in Jesus my soul lived in perpetual night. I didn’t know it at the time. All I knew was darkness, until Jesus entered my life. It was like a gentle sunrise. Since then, the light has grown stronger every day. With light comes clarity, vivid colors, confidence, and shalom.
In His light we see light.
The natural response is praise.
Gratitude overflows.
Just like Helen Keller, when she finally learned His name. He had been there the whole time. Her lack of eyesight couldn’t hide the beauty of His light and love.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (emphasis mine). Isaiah 9:2a
Written by Kori, Life in Messiah staff
Have you come out of darkness and into the light?
When was the last time you worshiped and “proclaimed His excellencies”?
Jesus tells us “let your light shine” (Matthew 5:16) so God will be glorified. With all the incidents of hatred and antisemitism in the news, what is one action the Lord would have you take to demonstrate His love and shine His light?