He rules us unto uprightness.

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your Kingdom is a scepter of uprightness.
Psalm 45:6

The writer of Hebrews tells us that, in order to run our daily race in obedience to the Lord, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus, exalted at the Father’s right hand (Heb. 12:, 2). There we may discover the glory of God (2 Cor. 4.6) and find strength to persevere in our walk and calling before Him.

It’s interesting to note how many passages of Scripture tell us something about Jesus on His throne. One of the most important ones – cited by the writer of Hebrews (Heb. 1:9) – is Psalm 45:. In this passage we are invited to consider that the Lord holds in His hand a “scepter of uprightness.” Perhaps the best way to translate this Hebrew construct form is something like “a scepter that results in uprightness.” The Lord at the Father’s right hand holds a scepter, a symbol of the purpose of His rule, which is focused on realizing uprightness.

Will pop culture be the end of historic Christianity?

I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

1 Corinthians 9.23

In Plato’s parable of the cave prisoners kept all their lives in a cave, contemplating the shadows on the wall, come to believe that this is all the reality there is. Then one escapes and discovers the outside world and, realizing there is more of color, vastness, wonder, and beauty than watching one’s own shadows bouncing in firelight against a cave wall, he returns to the cave to liberate his fellow captives into real life. Philosopher William Irwin thinks something like this needs to happen if philosophy is ever to capture the attention of more than just an elite group of sympathizers.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. ”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Early in the musical Les Miserables, ex-convict Jean Valjean is taken in by a kind priest to be fed and housed for the night. Desperate and poor, Valjean gets up in the middle of the night to steal some of the priest’s silverware. The next day he is apprehended by the police, who suspect him of theft. They bring Valjean before the priest and ask him if Valjean in fact stole from him.

At this point the priest faces a clear choice. He can identify Valjean as a thief and receive justice. Or he can choose the path of grace and refuse to press charges. He chooses the latter, lying to cover the theft by telling the police that the stolen property is actually a gift he gave to Valjean. This single act of grace becomes a defining moment for Valjean, and completely alters the trajectory of his life.

Song of Solomon 2:16

My second daughter is getting married this spring! She is marrying a fine Christian man who is currently on active duty in Afghanistan. She got engaged over a Skype call. The sparkling diamond ring was hidden unknown to her. She was simply asked to go on a scavenger hunt for certain items placed strategically in the house. The final lead brought her to the ring’s location. For the females reading this account we are enthralled by the romance. The guys are probably thinking, “How did he pull that off?”

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God is active in everyone and everything. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 HCSB

Our physical body, in order to function, requires food and oxygen to reach every aspect of it. We’ve trillions of interacting cells; each requires energy in order to carry on life. Every breath we take in and exhale, every morsel of food and sip of water we ingest, and every beat of our heart work together to fuel the millions of chemical reactions taking place. We can’t consciously pick and choose the cells to activate at any particular time; they’re all in it together depending upon each other for the life duration of our earthly vessel.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

This is a dark time of the year. Shadows are longer; days are shorter. Cold, wet, and gloom prevail. The middle-of-the-night worries are more worrisome; the nighttime suffering is more painful; fears in the dark are scarier. At this time of the year, when sunlight is at a minimum, depression is more prevalent and the incidence of suicide increases. The Bible often uses the word “darkness” to describe sin, moral depravity, uncertainty, chaos or death.

And yet, this dark time of the year is when we just finished celebrating our most joyous and celebratory holy day. Bells rang; people sang; and cries of “merry” and “happy” abounded. It was Christmas, the time when we celebrate the breaking in of God into our human existence.

The Bible uses the word “light” to symbolize life, joy, truth, knowledge, and all that is good. In fact, the very first creative act that is recorded is when God created light. Light has many functions: it reveals what is hidden; it illuminates; it provides energy and it energizes; it warms. How absolutely appropriate that Jesus describes Himself as the “light of the world….who comes to bring the light of life”.

In the Light of the World, our dark nature is revealed. However, the Light of Life provides a way to escape the death which is the natural consequence. And, the Light also illuminates our way. It strengthens and guides; and it warms. What an incredible gift, this gift of light!

Darkness cannot pervade and cannot overcome light. When darkness and light meet, the darkness always fades. Always.

The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

In the midst of the external darkness, we live in the Light of a Love so great, so lasting, that our whole being is suffused with joy. With whom can you share the Light of Love in these dark and gloomy days?

For more information on Jesus, the Light of the World, get the book, Perimeters of Light, by Elmer L. Towns and Ed Stetzer. Or read the article, “The Measure of All Things” by Regis Nicoll.