Light — salvation — strength

Light — salvation — strength: three great waves of the sea, telling that the tide can rise no higher. The tide is full. Even so it is with the heart that can say —
I. THE LORD IS MY LIGHT.
1. In the natural world God gives us a night between every two days, and in the life beyond we hear of a bow of emerald that breaks the dazzle of the great white throne. Light means truth, and, as it advances in precision and purity, the steps of discovered truth become the songs of degrees with which the tribes go up to the great temple of God.
2. In the spiritual life, both as regards salvation and service, much depends on clearness of vision, and knowledge of how and where to look and what to look for.
II. THE LORD IS MY SALVATION. The words "Christ for us" have now a clear and exact meaning, setting forth the condition and character of Salvation. And before Christ was crucified for sinners, the main feature of salvation was the same; it was from the Lord, a gift from His hand. "Blessed is the man whose sin is covered." Sin was then also a transgression, a taint, and a tyranny, and from all the Lord delivered. It was His to deliver the soul from death, the eyes from tears, and the feet from falling. This fact at once humbled and upheld him; it was the Lord's gift, and yet it was his own possession. And so he could say — "Whom shall I fear? The Lord is my salvation."
III. THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH. Light for the understanding and its judgment; salvation for the heart, its hardness and anxiety; and strength for action and usefulness. How often we come to the Lord, like James and John, and say "we are able"; but the Lord makes a thorough work of the first and second, the light and salvation, before lie entrusts us with the third, the strength on which He puts His own almighty name. We often bring misery upon ourselves, and darkness upon others, by trying to come into the Lord's service before coming to the Lord Himself. Let us seek the power in the pathway of power: — light, salvation, strength.
(G. M. Mackie, M. A.)

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