Proverbs 4:18 - Growing In Christ Is Like The Light Of Dawn Increasing to Noon Day.
Proverbs 4:18 - Growing In Christ Is Like The Light Of Dawn
Increasing to Noon Day.
Proverbs 4:18 (NKJV) But the path of the just is like the
shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18 (NIV) The path of the righteous is like the
morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Proverbs 4:18 (CWR) Now the path of the righteous is like the
first gleam of dawn. Their way gets brighter as the morning
progresses, until the full light of day.
WORD STUDY
The Righteous Person is one on God's pathway of life. [Disciple
SB]
The Righteous walk in increasing light, [Ryrie SB]
COMMENTARY
Christ came to teach the human family the way of salvation, and
He made this way so plain that a little child can walk in it. He
bids His disciples follow on to know the Lord; and as they daily
follow His guidance, they learn that His going forth is prepared as the
morning. You have watched the rising sun, and the gradual break of day
over earth and sky. Little by little the dawn increases, till the sun
appears; then the light grows constantly stronger and clearer until the
full glory of noontide is reached. This is a beautiful illustration
of what God desires to do for His children in perfecting their
Christian experience. As we walk day by day in the light He sends us, in
willing obedience to all His requirements, our experience grows and
broadens until we reach the full stature of men and women in Christ
Jesus. MYP15,16
The closer a man comes to his Lord, the more time and effort he
gives to gaining a knowledge of God through prayerful Bible study, and
the brighter shines the light.... It is not only the light shining
upon the Christian that increases. The reflected light that shines
out from the just man is also magnified in the same measure. [SDA
Bible Commentary]
The just both have light themselves and shed light on all
around, because they have within them the light of God's Word and God's
Spirit..... a steadily increasing light. They go on from strength to
strength and glory to glory. (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
Salvation begins with the "dawning" in our hearts ("Dayspring"
in Luke 1:77-79). As we walk with the Lord, the light gets
brighter, until one day we shall step into God's eternal light, in a land
where there is no night. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
I am Christ in you, the hope of glory. The Messiah - the
Savior of the world - lives in you! This promise is for all who have
faith in Me: I dwell in your hearts through faith. This amazing
blessing is a work of My Spirit in your inner being. The more you trust
Me, the more you can enjoy My indwelling Presence - and the more
effectively I can live through you.
In a world that may seem increasingly hopeless, remember that
I am the hope of Glory. This hope is ultimately about heaven,
where you will live with Me forever. But the Light of heaven's Glory
is so brilliant that some of its rays can reach you even in the
present - no matter how dark your circumstances may appear. I am the
Light that shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never
overpowered it. As you follow Me along your life-path, clothed in My
righteousness, this Light shines brighter and brighter until full day. (Col.
1:27; Eph. 3:16, 17; John 1:5; Pro. 4:18) [Jesus Today by Sarah
Young]
I am the light of the world. My followers will not walk in
darkness, but will have the Light of Life. Even though there is much
darkness in this world, you always have access to Me. So you are never in
total darkness. The trail before you may look obscure, especially as
it disappears into the future. You would like it to be floodlit so
you could anticipate what's up ahead. But I tell you: I am enough! I
am with you, and I also go before you - illuminating the way. Your
assignment is to trust Me and follow the Light I provide. No matter how dim
it may seem, it is sufficient for your journey through today.
Someday you will be with Me in heaven, and there you will see
My Light in all its Glory. Darkness will be a thing of the past,
and you will see everything clearly. There will be no more night.
You will not need the light of a lamp or of the sun, for I will give
you Light - beyond anything you can imagine! Live close to Me, and
you will have the Light of Life. (John 8:12; Pro. 4:18; Rev. 22:5)
[Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
When you are going through a dark time - a hard time - it's
easy to project that darkness into the future. The longer you
struggle with adverse circumstances, the darker the way before you
appears - and the harder it is to imagine yourself walking along bright
paths again. The temptation is to just give up and let misery become
your companion. So it is crucial at such times to remember that I am
your constant Companion. Moreover, because I am Sovereign God, I am
able to turn your darkness into Light.
When you feel on the verge of sinking in despair, turn to Me
for help. Cling to My hand, and walk by faith through the darkness.
Do not focus on the circumstances that are weighing you down.
Instead, through eyes of faith, look ahead to brighter times, and praise
Me for them. While you worship Me in the midst of darkness, I
enable you to see the first gleam of dawn on the path before you.
Continue walking worshipfully with Me - a walk of faith. As you persevere
along this path, the dim light will gradually shine brighter and
brighter till the full light of day. (Isa. 61:1; 2Sa. 22:29; 2Co. 5:7;
Pro. 4:18) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS
Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of
grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. [Matthew
Henry Commentary]
Though the Bible be crowded with golden promises from board to
board, yet will they be inoperative until we turn them into prayer. F.
B. Meyer (1847-1929)
As you obey His Word, the light will get brighter on the path of
life. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
SPECIAL VIDEO CLIP ON SEEKING GOD:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY GUIDES:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Guides:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Or Send Request To: fggibbs@aBible.com
EXCELLENT BIBLE PROPHECY SERIES BY DR RON CLOUZET:
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
