New Day

Read Proverbs 4

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

Proverbs 4:18-19

Righteousness is the state of being “right” with God. In the Old Testament, the path to righteousness was through obedience to the law. But people, in their sinfulness, were not even able to be obedient. We cannot obtain righteousness by ourselves—it is a gift from God. There is nothing we can do to earn it. We are so buried in sin that only Jesus, being free from sin, has the power to pull us out and make us right with God. When we choose Jesus, when we reach for that hand he holds out to us, we are reaching out to the light.

Salvation is like the dawn of a new day—a fresh start—and the more we seek God, the brighter it gets. Whereas righteousness is a life with God, wickedness is a life apart from God. It can only be darkness because without God’s light in our lives we have no meaning, no purpose, no way to understand this world. How wonderful that God, in his grace, shines the light of Jesus into our darkness. No wonder one of Christ’s titles is “bright morning star” (see Revelation 22:16).

A WORD FOR TODAY

Right living is also “light” living.

Today, Lord, help me to remember that in you I am a new creation; I have left the darkness and chosen to walk in the light. Speak to me today about the ways I can walk more closely with you and shine brightly for your kingdom.