Pastor column: Follow the light of the Lord, step into His glorious salvation

A little boy who was afraid of the dark was told to go to the unlit back porch and get the broom. He told his dad he couldn’t because it was so dark and his dad said, “Son, don’t be afraid, Jesus is out there.” So the little boy went to the back of the house, opened the door, stuck his hand out into the porch and said, “Jesus, would you give me the broom?”

Like that little boy, a lot of what we are afraid of is not real. A study has revealed 92% of what we fear never comes to pass.

Psalm 27 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (vs. 1)

What does it mean “the Lord is my light?" Light enables us to see. Light gives us a sense of security. Many always have a night light turned on while asleep in bed. Light is perhaps one of the most important things we have in this world.

We are dependent on light. Light is a necessity. Think about it − light was the very first thing God spoke into existence. God is our light. God is our source of life. God is our security who eliminates our fears.

Listen to what Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus is a seeking, shining and saving light. He will bring you out of darkness and deliver you from the bondage fear.

The Lord: The light, salvation and refuge

The Lord is my light, my salvation, the strength of my life. Jesus most certainly gives us strength in the midst of hard times. Who or what can possibly overpower our all powerful God? Nothing can take our God by surprise. So, “Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?” Thanks be to our great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — our light, our salvation, our refuge.

Are you afraid? Do you have any fear controlling your life? The Hebrew word translated “salvation” means deliverance, rescue, safety, welfare, prosperity and victory. What a powerful word “salvation” is! Salvation is a manifestation of God's love.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

Jesus delivers us out of the bondage of sin. He sets us free from fear to be the people He's called us to be. He gives us a wonderful, powerful future. The question is, which do you prefer — darkness or light? If you are tired of the dark, come to Jesus and step into the Light of His glorious salvation. Come to Him now while you have the opportunity.

Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: The Lord is light of the world and can be the guide out of darkness