“God does all these things…” Job 33:29a

Turning one’s soul back from the pit is how Elihu described the way God saves one from the certainty of death so that, “…the light of life may shine on him.” (v.30b) Doctors have recently been touting the strengths of sunlight to aid in the battle against COVID-19. It appears the virus has a maximum life of two minutes in sunlight, as the fat surrounding the nucleus of the cell deteriorates by the UV light from the sun. However, the more likely reason sunlight aids in the fight against the virus is found in the vitamin D given through the sun’s rays! Vitamin D is well known to strengthen the bodies immune-defense systems.

Isn’t it just like God to use light for strengthening our body’s resistance to disease? Elihu, though, may have meant something different when talking about the light of life. He may have been referring to God Himself… and unknowingly referring to God, The Son! Jesus referred to Himself as “The Light of the world”:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

The apostle John, having heard the above statement, wrote about it years later in his biography of Jesus’ life. He begins his story of Jesus this way:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In
him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:1-9)

Has the light of life been shined upon your heart? While we know how light provides a healthier basis for
living, John described Jesus as The Life which was “…the light of all mankind.” God turned the equation around to demonstrate how He transcends the physical world He created to provide mankind hope for the world to come. Hope, like faith, is counting on something unseen. God’s light exposes the darkened areas of our perceptions and inspires us to press on (read Philippians 3:14-15). God does all these things so that the light of His life might shine on us!

Dear soul, don’t let this time in our history bring you to a point of desperation. Find solace and strength in Christ. When you know Him, you will know His peace. Armed with that knowledge, press on!

Have a blessed day…