THE SWEETNESS OF LIGHT

“TRULY THE LIGHT is SWEET, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun” – Ecclesiastes 11:7

Beloved, as we walk closely with God, we become Living Testimonies of the SWEETNEES of LIGHT: “TRULY THE LIGHT is SWEET, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun” (Eccl.11:7). The New Living translation says: “Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.” The Message Bible: “Oh, how sweet the light of day, and how wonderful to live in the sunshine! Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour, remembering that there will also be many dark days and that most of what comes your way is smoke” (Eccl.11:7-8). Ecclesiastes 11 is a snap-shot of the human lifespan: from the womb (v.5) through childhood and youth (v.9), to the tomb. It admonishes keeping a positive perspective, even though there would be “days of darkness; for they shall be many” (v.8).

Naturally, light is sweet in its essence and colourful variety. Can you imagine a monochrome world where all we see is black, white or grey? How drab and dull life devoid of the colours of light would be! Light is exceedingly pleasant, useful, and beneficial. By light, living creatures discern objects, and behold nature’s beauty and splendour with pleasure. It takes light to walk in the way without stumbling, and to engage in the hobbies, works, and businesses of life. Afflictions are expressed by darkness, and adversity by night; while light and day signify the comfortable, desirable, delectable, and good things of life.

However, far more superior and sweeter than natural light, is the Light of God’s Word: “How sweet are Your words to my taste, SWEETER THAN HONEY to my mouth! ...Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a LIGHT to my path”; “The entrance of Your words gives LIGHT; it give understanding to the simple” (Psa.119:103, 105; 130). Interestingly, the word “sweet” in Ecclesiastes 11:7 is the same for “honey” in Judges 14:14 and “honeycomb” in Proverbs 24:13-14, “My son, eat honey because it is good, and the honeycomb which is SWEET to your taste; so shall the KNOWLEDGE of WISDOM be to your soul; if you have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope will not be cut off.” Your hope for light shall be met!

Scripturally and spiritually therefore, the Sweetness of Light connotes the multidimensional and colourful variety and possibilities inherent in Divine Light, such as: the light of knowledge, wisdom, understanding, vision, revelation, inspiration, insight, divine dreams, divine secrets, divine direction, enlightenment, instructions, counsel, guidance, and creativity. These by God’s Grace would be the subjects of our meditations for the rest of our meditations this month. Essentially, the Light of God is sweet and pleasant, not to a carnal or spiritually blind and tasteless person, who despises God’s Word and reckons it foolishness, but to those who are enlightened by the Spirit of God. Cherishing His Word – through hearing, reading, studying and meditation – can be as sweet as honey to our tastebuds.

Life is that good, sweet, and pleasant when we are living the way God has called us to live. The Gospel is the sweetest of lights: a great and glorious light by which dark minds are enlightened; and the glories of Christ’s Person, His Power, and Provisions revealed. The Psalmist says: “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good…” (Psa.34:8a). Peter once asked Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jh.6:68). The Good News, the Words of eternal life are the sweetest words of all. As we walk in the Light of God’s Word, He’ll make every word we speak to be sweeter than honey because they are His words of eternal life.

In Jesus name, I declared: “I shall daily awake to the Sweetness of the Light and the pleasantness of life. I shall continually live in sunshine of God’s Love! I will take delight in each light-filled hour, knowing that whatever dark days may come are but shadows that shall bow to the Light of Life!