…and he separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:4, NIV)
Long ago—when woods were woods and no more voluminous than what we now call a hybrid—I played small college golf. I was reasonably good for my conference, which didn’t allow scholarships, but that was about it. I was famous for shooting 79. Come to think of it, I’m about the same today!
When the conference championship came our way when I was a freshman, we headed to a course in Pasadena, California, called Annandale Country Club. I mention it because some of you will know it. It should perhaps be called Over-Hill-and-Dale Country Club, especially the back nine.
At Annandale, trouble lurks. In the morning round, I found it. Lots of it. I would have rejoiced in a 79. I carded an 87. But since this was a 36-hole event and my coach wasn’t driving back to Redlands to find a replacement, I teed it up again, and by the time I was done, I would have spit on that ol’ 79. Instead, I posted a 73. Yep, 87-73. Night and day. I jumped from far, far back to fifth in the tournament.
When Jesus sheds light on our sins, we are given only two choices: retreat into further darkness or step into that life-giving light.That expression, “night and day,” is one we use to describe a significant difference between any two things. There’s no guessing where the idiom came from. It’s as plain as, well, day. It came from God’s creation.
In what is called the first day in the creation account of Genesis 1, God spoke light into existence, saw that it was good, and separated the light from the darkness, calling the former “day” and the latter “night.” But this was, we know, only the beginning.
In other parts of Scripture, we find reference to darkness and light, night and day. In the natural sense, we would expect this. But there is more. In John’s Gospel, Jesus was established as giving life that was “the light of all mankind.” The Lord himself declared that he was “the light of the world.” Again, therefore, the light had come into the realm of darkness.
Those who prefer the darkness, John’s Gospel explains, are those whose deeds are evil. They can hide out in the darkness. Until Jesus comes. When he sheds light on our sins, we are given only two choices: retreat into further darkness or step into that life-giving light. Exposed but humbled, we can repent. Then salvation becomes ours through Christ.
—
Jeff Hopper
March 26, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
OTHER DEVOTIONS IN THIS SERIES
Fast Forward 1: The Creator
Fast Forward 3: Clouds in the Air
Fast Forward 4: Water and Weeds
Fast Forward 5: Skylights
Fast Forward 6: Wild Kingdom
Fast Forward 7: Man Alive!
Fast Forward 8: The World We Live In