Psalm 80

There is a refrain in this psalm that was made into a song by Christian artist Michael W. Smith a few years ago: “Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” (vs 3)

To me, this is one of the most intriguing things about God, and it’s one of the things I love most—that He shines, that He is somehow filled with light. Moses found this out when he spent some time on the mountain with God and came back all lit up (Ex 34). The disciples were amazed by the sudden light show as Jesus was transfigured before them (Mk 9).

In fact, the Bible begins with God bringing light to the world (Gen 1:3) and ends with Him being called the Morning Star (Rev 22:16), and all throughout, its pages are splashed with light.

Perhaps my most favorite reference to light in the Bible is this one: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isa 9:2) God is the light, and no matter how dark it gets, He shines. No matter how dark it gets.

Let’s face it, this world is just a dark place sometimes. These days, it feels like we’re walking deeper and deeper into a tunnel every day. Everywhere you turn, there is hurt, heartache, sorrow, and evil. Sometimes I wonder how God can stand to look at all of it. But then I remember that He is light. And it’s not just that He brings light. He is light. That means that the people who walk in darkness have seen… Him!

Perhaps we may take a small bit of comfort in this—that it is in life’s darkest hours when we can most clearly see the light shining. God will not leave us alone in the darkness. He has promised to pierce it with Himself—and the Bible says He is the light that the darkness can never overcome (Jn 1:5).

Are you living in the middle of night? Are you burdened with guilt, shame, or deep sorrow? Ask God to make His face shine on you. He will, and you will be delivered—delivered out of your grief, delivered out of your sin, delivered out of your night.