A Puff of Light

Pro 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Light and darkness are often linked in a phrase, but are the greatest of contrasting influences. Where one dominates, the other must flee. The candle is one of man's oldest and best inventions. In the most ancient book of the Bible, we have this reference, "The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him." Job 18:6

Imagine your life without light bulbs; incandescent, fluorescent, neon, halogen, mercury vapor, etc. We mindlessly flip a switch or turn a dial and our way is illuminated. Prior to this handy invention, to dispel darkness, fire was the only way to go. Candles, lamps and fires were the extent of choices to light up the night.

I think of our friends that are fully without eyesight, their total existence enveloped by darkness. Recently, our family made its way into the bowels of Marvel Cave in the Ozarks. At one point, the lights were turned off so we could experience total darkness, something modern man rarely experiences. How helpless the feeling, when you are that far below ground, with not even the faintest sliver of light. Thank the Lord, someone knew where the light switch was!

When that bulb was switched on, the room was awash with awareness, confidence, life and normalcy.

Our word for spirit is "neshamah" meaning a puff, wind or vital breath. That is the essence of our person. It is what God breathed into our grandfather, Adam to bring the clay to life. It is what makes us living souls.

When we are born again, the Lord touches His candle to that life and the spirit of a man no longer resides in darkness. The Lord's candle of illumination brings about an awareness of God and spiritual things. Our lives are wakened to confidence, life and normalcy. Paul said, "and you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sin." That is, we were spiritually dormant until God's candle illumined our spirits.

Our puff of life becomes enlightened by the Spirit of the Almighty. There's no more living in darkness, no more groping in hopelessness.

Thank you Lord, that the scales of blindness have fallen from our eyes because the light of the glorious gospel of Christ has been shed abroad in us. May we, in turn reflect your powerful light to every corner of our darkened world that souls might have their puffs touched by your candle.