A New Beginning
As we enter September, it is a time of new beginnings in a lot of ways. A new school year is starting, and children are excited to be back with their friends and go back to a normal routine after the long, hot summer. The weather is starting to cool and usher in the crisp air and glorious colors of Autumn. And Jewish people all over the world are observing a month of repentance and restitution building up to the celebration of their New Year beginning on Rosh HaShana. And for me, I usually finish my annual reading through the Bible in August and start again in September at the beginning…
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form…and darkness was on the face of the deep…Then God said, ‘Let there be light’…and God separated the light from the darkness…” (Genesis 1 excerpts)
A New Day
I was impressed with the theme of each new day that transitioned from darkness to light. In the Jewish calendar each new day begins at sundown; for others the new day is reckoned from midnight. In either case the day starts in darkness. I thought about how each of our lives, like the world, also begins in darkness, both physically as we are knit together in our mother’s womb and spiritually as well until a new day dawns in our hearts and dispels the sin and doubt. We all are steeped in sin, stumbling and groping in darkness for answers, hope, something to hold on to. Proverbs 4:19 says, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”
A New Light
Only Yeshua was able to lead a sinless life. He is the Light that dawns on us to show us the way out of sin. John 1:1,9,12 declares,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world…as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
When we receive Yeshua into our hearts His light begins shining on us brighter and brighter like Proverbs 4:18 says,
“But the path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.”
A New Dawn
Our lives may start out dark, but as we grow in our walk with Yeshua we get brighter, just like the sky begins to get lighter as dawn approaches, until we ultimately become perfect (one day) just like Him who shines upon us. This process is called sanctification.
If you are in a dark place in your life, if discouragement or doubt has been clawing at your heart, don’t face it alone. Turn to Jesus and let His perfect light wash over you and drive back the darkness that you are held captive by. Worship Him even in your lowly and dismal times, and as His light comes in you will feel your spirit begin to rise again. Just like watching a glorious sunrise, His approaching dawn will brighten in your heart and you will be filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. I pray that the light of Yeshua will grow a bit brighter in your heart today as you draw closer to Him.