There's Light Up Above by Rocky Fleming
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 ESV
I’ve heard many stories of cave-ins where miners or spelunkers were stranded in the complete darkness of a cave or tunnel. Not being able to see your hand in front of your face would be terrible. The complete sense of being cut off from friends and family and life would be overwhelming. A sense of isolation and hopelessness would set in, and death would begin before the heart gives out, for when hope is lost, all is lost.
When I read the passage above, I think of stranded victims in cave-ins such as I mentioned. How do they feel? How do they process it? Then I think of what would happen if they saw a small sliver of light shining from a faraway distance. Immediately their hope would be restored when someone calls out, “There’s light up above!!” The victims would begin a dangerous trek toward the light. It’s dangerous for they still can’t see what’s before them. There are pitfalls, more cave-ins, boulders and other things to break bones or take a life. They have to rely on each other as they rope together and walk toward the light. They hold on to each other and feel their way toward the light. Little by little they gain ground on the light, as it leads them toward their salvation. Eventually, as the light grows brighter, they can see their path better until it leads to the surface where they escape their death from the grip of darkness. “Thank God for the light,” they exclaim. Indeed. Thank God for His Light.
In a similar manner we live in a world of darkness. The fact is we don’t know it’s dark until God shines the light of His word on it. Things seem normal, until we look at the world through a Biblical lens. Then we see how terribly dark, confused and dangerous the world is. With God’s light, which could be described as heavenly wisdom, we see the contrast of good and evil, right and wrong, His ways, and the world’s ways. It is appropriate that the world is said to be under the rule of The Prince of Darkness, for his kingdom is a domain of darkness. Could there be a better description? Just think how he darkens the minds of people, our senses, our instincts and our hunger for what is good, and especially our desire for God? Think of the lies he has told since the beginning, and how his lies always end in hurt and death? Think of the numerous types of deaths he creates, from the death of our dignity, our relationships, our identity and finally our soul. Yes. That is the Prince of Darkness and his domain. But there is good news. There’s Light Up Above!
Like a sliver of light in the eyes of a miner lost in darkness, so it is with God’s light. The miner knows that he must walk toward that light. He fixes his eyes on it and allows nothing to get in the way. It is his way to salvation. So, it is with a follower of Christ. Jesus said that He is the light of the world (John 8:12). He is the light that shines in darkness. We walk toward Him. We fix our eyes on Him and allow Him to shine His light on our path. He will walk us to Him and to safety, and eventually to heaven. Along the way there will be pitfalls and obstacles. But He will help us navigate them. We need other believers on our escape from darkness. We band together and hold each other up, while we navigate difficult positions together. God forbid that we must navigate darkness alone, for many a vulnerable man or woman have been picked off in darkness when they are isolated. Though it is more difficult, it is not impossible to find salvation alone, for even though we are alone from other people, Jesus is there with us. With Him, we are never alone.
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! Psalm 139:7-8 (ESV)
In this world we can only see physical things with our eyes, and only a small portion at that. We have a false sense of security that all is well based on what we see or based on those things that we feel we can predict. But oh, how life can be interrupted in an instance, and our life be turned upside down. Just like a cave explorer groping in darkness without light, who doesn’t see the pitfall ahead, so it is when we use only the eyes of the flesh to navigate life. The Prince of Darkness strikes again, and another victim is swallowed up in his trap. But the light of God’s word is a lamp and a light showing us the way to our salvation.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
As you try and navigate your life please be aware that everything you see is not bad, but there is enough that we don’t see to understand that the darkness of this world corrupts the good, and even good things can turn bad. There is only one true good, and that is the good of a loving God who has given us His Light to lead us. Following His Light will always lead to good. It is the only and best hope we have. It gives us hope that salvation awaits us.
There’s light up above!