This Little Light Of Mine
1. I'm Gonna Let My Light Shine
It's Saturday night, and time to begin a new Devotional Series. I always rely on the Lord to enlighten me on which direction to take... but I am so tired today, I can't see the way. After sitting at a blank screen for so long, I went back to the main screen on my computer and thought that maybe I just wouldn't write anything. Would anyone notice if the devotional didn't go out Sunday morning? And there, looking at me from my computer screen, were my twelve grandchildren (the last one wasn't born when the picture was taken). Memories of hearing Jedidiah, Elsa, and little Lici singing, "This Little Light Of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine" came to my mind. This little light is small and maybe it wouldn't be noticed if I missed a day. But, I'm gonna let it shine! I remembered Jeremiah 20:9, "Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay." I don't know where God will lead me with these devotionals, but I will let my little light shine.
2. Making Our Burdens Light
It's been a difficult week. My Mom called me Thursday morning and said that she had to work to make herself breathe. I told her to call her doctor and I would be there to take her. She said that she didn't want to go back to the doctor, she was still on the amoxicillin from the last time. I insisted that she call... and the doctor told her to go to the emergency room. As a helper brought out a wheel chair and pushed Mom through the emergency doors of the hospital, it brought a heavy feeling of despair over my soul, and made my heart ache. After three days of breathing treatments, and being on oxygen, she was able to come home this afternoon. She was so healthy, until she had Covid last September, and she has struggled ever since then. When those we love are going through hard times, it makes us weary. We pray and do all we can, but it is hard when we can't ease their burdens. We want to make their heavy load a little lighter. That's part of the purpose I have in writing these devotionals. I want to encourage others and maybe make their load a little lighter. I close with these words of Jesus. He can take your heavy burdens and make them lighter. Come to Jesus and He will give you rest.
"28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
3. Let Your Light Shine For The Children
These devotionals opened with the memory of my grandchildren singing, "This Little Light Of Mine." Maybe you sang it as a child. (Author unknown)
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
We bought little battery operated tea candles for some children to sing it at church. Our encouragement today comes for the sake of our children. We need to let our light shine for our children and grandchildren. We must teach them about the Lord! God commanded the Israelites to speak of the Lord all throughout their day. When our five children were young, some people were rude about us having that many children. But, when you stop and think about it, our children are the only thing we can take to heaven with us. Everything we work for on earth will be left behind. So, it is vital that we teach our children and grandchildren about Jesus so that they can accept Him as their Savior and spend eternity with the Lord. Nothing else in their lives, sports, schooling, dance, music, is as important as making sure they know how to get to heaven. Let your light shine for the children!
"4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
4. The Light Of The Son
I have some house plants and they have not done well this past winter. Our house is in a wooded area, and there's not much sunlight coming through the windows. Last week it was warm and I put my drooping plants on the front porch during the day for several days. They already look so much better. They needed sunlight! I will be glad when the nights are warmer and I can keep them on the front porch. I also need sunlight. I feel so much better when I can get out and work in the sunshine. It gives me a boost, both physically and mentally. There is another kind of light I need, and that is Son Light. "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12) We need the Light of God's Son even more than plants need the light of the sun. When we have God's Light, we can be a reflection of His Light. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
5. Walking In Son Light All Of My Journey
I recently made several "Sunshine Boxes" and I decorated the lids, "Walking In Son Light, All Of My Journey." I asked the ladies at church to fill the boxes with things that are yellow, to spread a little sunlight and cheer. I borrowed the title from the first line of "Heavenly Sunlight", written by Henry J. Zelley in 1899. I like the old hymns and songs. They are filled with spiritual meaning and application. " For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 4:6) Praising the Lord for Son Light!
Heavenly Sunlight by Henry J. Zelley
"1 Walking in sunlight, all of my journey,
over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, "I’ll never forsake thee,"
promise divine that never can fail.
Refrain:
Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
flooding my soul with glory divine:
hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
singing His praises, Jesus is mine.
2 Shadows around me, shadows above me,
never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the light, in Him is no darkness;
ever I’m walking close to His side.
3 In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,
pressing my way to mansions above;
singing His praises gladly I’m walking,
walking in sunlight, sunlight of love."
6. "The Road Not Taken"
Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874. Someone posted his poem, "The Road Not Taken", to commemorate his birthday. I like the poem, and want to share the beginning, and the ending.
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both,
And be one traveler, long I stood...
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
As I thought about these words my mind went back over 50 years ago when I was sitting in a small church and my Grandpa Beasley was preaching on Lazarus and the rich man from Luke chapter 16. I was sitting with my Grandmother and I started crying at the thoughts of going to hell. I didn't want my life to end in torment like the rich man. She took me just outside the door and told me how I could tell Jesus that I was sorry for my sin, and ask Him to save me. We went back inside and down to the altar, and I asked Jesus to save me. I faced two roads. The road I was on, was leading me to hell, and I chose to get on the road that leads to everlasting life in heaven. I took the one less traveled by, and that has truly made all the difference in my life! Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) In the poem by Frost, he says, "I shall be telling this with a sigh..." which may tell us that he chose the wrong road. In some of the closing words of Moses, he said, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" (Deuteronomy 30:19) Choose life! Choose the right way! "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "In him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1:4) You don't have to keep on the road to everlasting darkness. Don't look back with a sigh and regret, ages and ages hence, that you took the wrong road. It is not too late to ask Jesus to forgive you and save you. I promise you that putting your trust in Him will make all the difference!
7. Light Returns After The Storms
We had very heavy rain Thursday. We replaced our shingled roof with a metal roof a few years ago, and I looked forward to hearing the rain on the roof. I remember how much I enjoyed listening to the rain on the tin roof of the barn when I was young. Our house is insulated, so it doesn't sound as good as the rain on the barn, but I could hear the rain pouring down on the roof Thursday. Later in the day Michael had an eye doctor's appointment and I went with him to drive home after his eyes were dilated. I sat in the car while I waited and the sun was shining so bright above me. The dark clouds had gone and there were a few fluffy white clouds moving rapidly across the sky. I had the windows halfway down and there was a refreshing breeze blowing. I remembered God's promise in Genesis 8:22, "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." We go through hard winters in life, but spring and summer always follow. We may have long sleepless nights, but morning always comes. For a while the clouds were so dark it looked like the storm would last all day, but God sent a gentle wind after the storm to chase away the clouds and He let the sun shine again. It is that way with our storms of life sometimes, too. Things may seem really dark while we are going through trials. It may seem like it will never end. And sometimes all we can do is wait out the storm. The darkness is only temporary. The light will shine again. And when we get to heaven there will never be another storm, or sadness or sorrow and night will be no more. "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 22:5)
8. Gratitude For Those Who Let Their Light Shine
I received the sweetest email from a young lady who used to be in our youth group several years ago. Sometimes I think back on the parties we had, the Bible games we played, the lessons we taught, and the ways we tried to reach out to others, and I wonder if the kids remember much from those days. Well, Gera remembers, and she gave me permission to share her email. Her words were such an encouragement to me. In The Sermon On The Mount, Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) Letting our light shine brings glory to our Heavenly Father. Letting our light shine also blesses those around us who need a little help to see the way. Today I want you to think about someone whose life helped you find the way because of the Light of the Lord that was shining brightly through them. It may have been a Sunday School teacher who was faithful to teach you from the Bible. Maybe a neighbor or special friend helped you through some hard times, with encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on. You may feel like you owe a lot to your parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles who helped guide you through the years. And don't forget your Pastor who was always there, shedding the light on great Bible truths to help you grow in the Lord. In this day and age it is so easy to reach out to others, so I am asking you to reach out to someone who let his or her light shine for the glory of God, and in the process, helped you along the way. Send a message of gratitude and encouragement through a text, an email, or even a card or letter. You could even pick up the phone and call, or plan a visit. Sometimes men and women of the older generation feel forgotten. God can use you to let your light shine, and encourage someone who may have helped you. It will surely be a blessing to that person.
"Hey Mrs. Beverly! Could you add me to your email list for the devotions? Thank you for your website! I go to it often for devotions and for activity ideas for our church. This year we are planning on doing a Back to School theme for our VBS. Remembering back on all the back to school parties we had at Pine Grove has helped me come up with a lot of ideas to go along with it. Thank you for the influence you and Bro. Mike had on me growing up! I appreciate all you did! Love, Gera"
9. "Here Am I"
It is such a blessing to read the Bible when God opens my eyes to see great truths from His Word. My focus in reading changes with each new devotional theme, so I often see familiar scriptures in a whole new light. Think about "light" as you read these great old verses.
"1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I." (I Samuel 3:1-4)
Eli was the priest, but his two sons were very wicked. Hannah had prayed for a son and promised to give him back to God, so she took little Samuel to the temple to serve the Lord. To see the setting, we can look at the last verse in the book of Judges. "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25) The darkness of the days is shown further in our first verse, "...And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision." The Children of Israel had turned away from God and were serving idols. In their choice of darkness, God turned down the Light. Next, in verse two, we see the old priest. "... Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;" Eli may have not seen the wickedness of his sons, but he heard of it. " And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people." (I Samuel 2:23) And God held him accountable for them. "Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, ... and honourest thy sons above me,...?" (I Samuel 2:29) Eli's sons were in line to be the priests, but he had closed his eyes to their sins and God told him that both of them would die on the same day. Finally, just in time, we come to verse three, "And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD..." The Children of Israel had been commanded to always keep the lamps burning. "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always." (Exodus 27:20) But, I want to look at the spiritual realm. The old priest would soon pass on, and his sons were not serving the Lord, would the light go out in the temple of the Lord? No. God has a servant to carry on His work. Look at verse four, "That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I." Our world seems to be growing darker and darker, but God still has a remnant of people who are willing to say, "Here am I." As the older generation of Christians pass on to heaven, we need to make sure we stand and take their place and let our light shine, and say like Samuel, "Here am I."
10. Don't Hide Your Light
Let's look at the next verse of "This Little Light Of Mine", the song that inspired these devotionals. We smile when we hear little children sing this simple song, but the message comes from our Lord.
"Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
Jesus taught the multitudes and often spoke of things they could see and understand. He spoke of the birds and flowers. He told them they were the salt of the earth. Then, He told them that they were the light of the world. Jesus tells us to let our light shine! It is easy to let our light shine at church where we are in the light of others. But, we also need to let our light shine in a dark world. Someone you know may be walking in darkness and looking for a little bit of light. Don't hide your light. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
"14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)
11. We Have A Purpose To Let Our Light Shine
Today we are looking at John the Baptist. John 1:8 tells us that he "was sent to bear witness of that Light." We all have a purpose. I just used this verse, but I want to share it again... "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) John the Baptist fulfilled his purpose. Are we fulfilling our purpose in letting our light shine?
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light." (John 1:6-8)
Isaiah told of "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness..." And Jesus confirmed that John the Baptist was the person in Isaiah's prophecy.
"3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." (Isaiah 40:3-5)
"1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (Matthew 3:1-3)
Malachi also prophesied of God's messenger who would "prepare the way." And again, Jesus told His followers that John the Baptist was the one in Malachi's prophecy.
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 3:1)
"10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matthew 11:10-11)
12. Another Reason To Let Our Light Shine
I was reading this morning and I came to a verse that spoke to my heart. "And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city." (II Kings 17:9) This verse stood out because I saw a picture of our country. The people of the United States used to do things secretly that went against God's Word. Years ago we didn't hear of all the bad things that people were doing. I don't think that people were sinless during those times, but I believe that a lot of people had enough fear of God that they tried to keep their sins in the dark. That is not the case today. Much of the media is pushing sin against God and the agenda of some is to make sin familiar so that it will become acceptable. The recent reports of Disney break my heart, but it doesn't surprise me, because I think we could see it coming through the small snippets we have been fed in the recent years. God saw the sins that were comitted in the dark, secretly, and He sees the sinfulness throughout the world today. Some of the following verses show us that He tried to turn His people back to Him.
"13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.
15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them." (II Kings 17:13-15)
We need to let our light shine as a witness for the Lord. God is a holy judge and He will judge the earth with righteousness. Just as the Israelites didn't turn back to God, some will not turn to Him today. But, it is still our responsibility to let our light shine!
13. Accept The Light, Don't Turn Away
Michael had an eye doctor's appointment last week. When he came back to the car afterwards he was wearing those dark roll up sunglasses to shield his eyes from the sun. There are times that we need to block the light. The curtains in my bedroom are dark and I can pull them together and shield the sunlight from coming into the room. All of our "This Little Light Of Mine" devotionals have been encouragement for the ones with the light, to let their light shine. Today I want to speak to the ones who have not accepted the light of Jesus. Please don't put up a shield and reject the light. "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12) All who turn away from the light will spend eternity in outer darkness. "But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:12) How can you be saved and walk in the light?
Accept the truth that you are lost and can't save yourself. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
Believe that Jesus is the only one who can save you. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Confess your sin to Jesus and ask Him to save you. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romasn 10:9-10)
If you have never put your trust in Jesus to save you, please don't wait until it is too late. Let His light shine in your heart.
14. Let His Light Shine Through You
When our grandson, Christopher, was small he told us that he liked coming to our church because the windows were so pretty. We do have pretty stained glass windows. Wednesday night when we got to church the sun was brightly shining through the large window above the baptistry and all the colors shown brilliantly. The windows down both sides of the church were streaming with the beautiful colors of light. By the time church was over and the sun went down, the windows were dull and it was hard to recognize the different colors. They were still the same windows. Nothing had changed about them. The difference was in the sun. We may feel drab, and feel like our little light is getting dim. Do you know what the answer is to that problem? Draw closer to the Son of God! Jesus is the Light and when we let His Light shine through our lives we won't seem drab or dull. When we have dark days and don't feel like letting our light shine, that's when it is important for us to draw closer to the Son. "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" (Ephesians 5:8)
15. The Light Of His Birth
Almost four months have passed since we celebrated the birth of Jesus, but I like to let Christmas shine in my heart all year. As I was thinking about "light" and "Jesus" I thought about His birth. In Luke's gospel we see some shepherds, out in the dark, watching over their sheep. When suddenly light filled the night sky, as "the glory of the Lord shone round about them." The light got their attention. The angel then gave them the message that Christ the Lord had been born.
"8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-11)
When we turn to Matthew's gospel we see how a light got the attention of the Wise Men. The light of a star... "His star" was the guiding light that led the Wise Men to Jesus.
"1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:1-2, and 9-11)
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could let our light shine so brightly that the glory of the Lord would shine through us, and guide people to Jesus?
16. The Light Of David
I have been reading in the books of First and Second Kings, which gave me the thought for today. When King David wanted to build a house for the Lord, God told him that He would build David a house and establish his throne forever. "Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?" (II Samuel 7:18-19) Even when Israel turned away from God and served other false gods, God remembered His promise to David.
"And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there." (I Kings 11:36)
"Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children." (II Kings 8:19)
The prophets also foretold of the light of David.
"5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:" (Isaiah 11:1) If we continue in this chapter we see why this was such an important promise. "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious." (Isaiah 11:10) Luke 2 gives us the story of the birth of Jesus, the promised son of David. When Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple, Simeon said, "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." (Luke 2:30-32) As Jesus began His ministry teaching and healing the sick, people recognized that He was the promised Son of David. "And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." (Matthew 21:8-9) As we celebrate Palm Sunday, keep in mind that God kept His covenant with David and brought the Light to us, so that we can be saved! Without Jesus, the Light, we would have no hope and way of salvation.
17. "Won't Let Satan Blow It Out"
Let's look at another verse of our theme song.
"Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna' let it shine.
Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna' let it shine.
Won't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna' let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
It is fun to watch little children sing this verse and watch them blow on a finger instead of singing the word, blow. This simple little song gives us a great truth, and it is not just for children. I am so glad that I don't have to worry about Satan blowing out my light! The Bible assures us that we are safe in the hand of Jesus. We have His Word of assurance in John 10:27-29.
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
18. Let It Shine Till Jesus Comes!
I don't know if this was a written verse of the song, or if someone decided to sing it because of the wonderful message.
"Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna' let it shine.
Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna' let it shine.
Let it shine till Jesus comes, I'm gonna' let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
The older I get, the more I want to finish right. I like to study Joshua in the Old Testament. He was a servant of Moses, a leader in battle, and was with Moses during his times of triumph and sorrow. When Moses died, God chose Joshua to take his place. Those were big shoes to fill! Joshua lived to be 110 years old. Near the end of his life he challenged the people to follow the Lord. I admire his stand. He served God all his life and was determined to serve him to the end. The signs of the times indicate that we are nearing the end of time. Let's take Joshua's challenge to heart and purpose in our lives to let our light shine till Jesus comes! "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)
19. I Want What She's Got
Have you ever been at a restaurant and a waitress carries a wonderful looking plate of food past your table to another table? A meal that looks so good you want to change your order and say, "I want what she's got." There have been times that I was out and about and I saw someone who was dressed in a skirt that I thought, "I would love to find a skirt like that. A few times I have asked people that I saw, where they bought their clothes so I could look for something like that for myself. I was thinking about this and the thought came to me, "Wouldn't it be great if we let our light shine so bright that others would want to have what we have?" I want to live my life so that others know that I am a Christian. I want others to see my faith and think, "I want what she's got." After the resurrection the disciples had such a zeal for the Lord that people knew they had been with Jesus. "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13) I don't have great riches, or beauty, or knowledge that people would notice, but I have the Lord and I want to let my light shine so bright that they know I have been with Jesus!
