–John 3:19 (NKJV)
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I was sitting by the window looking out at the woods doing my devotions last Sunday morning when out of the blue came the chorus of an old song; it must have been a hundred years ago since I heard it last.  Well, really not out of the blue, more from the grey matter in my head, and perhaps not a hundred years ago, but plenty of years.  Why it happened, I don’t know, just one of those special things that the Holy Spirit throws my way once in a while.

                    “In that city where the Lamb is the light,
                    The city where there cometh no night;
                    I’ve a mansion over there,
                    And when free from toil and care,
                    I am going where the Lamb is the light.”
                              –Herbert Buffum

This is another one of those grand mysteries.  The city where the Lamb is the light.  John writes in Revelation, “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” (21:23, NKJV).  There are several Scriptures in the Holy Writ that indicate that Jesus is the Light–the Light of the world, the Light of heaven, the Light of that city.

          “There’s a country far beyond the starry sky,
          There’s a city where there never comes a night;
          If we’re faithful we shall go there by and by,
          ‘Tis the city where the Lamb is the light.”

But how do we get to that city?  How can we find our way?  Jesus gives us directions, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘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)  We have the light if we look for Him.  He will guide us through the darkest nights here on earth.  He will help us see in the caves of our depression and guilt,   If you open your eyes, and see the Light.
       Many people are afraid of the dark, especially young children.  They need/want a light on to help calm their fears and anxieties.  Sin has also brought upon this earth darkness, and people fear because of that darkness.  The darkness of evil pervades, but there is a Light.  “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16, NKJV)

          “Here we have our disappointments all the while,
          And our fondest hopes but meet with bitter blight;
          Tho’ by night we weep, the morning brings a smile,
          In that city where the Lamb is the light.”

Sometimes the gloom sets in, and we have trouble finding our way.  Sometimes we look around and cannot see where we are going.  That’s why the Light came–to show us the way.  The sad thing is that many do not see the light, nor do they even bother looking for the light.  They would rather grope and stumble along.  The Light may be right in front of them, but they have been in the dark too long.  “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
(John 1:3-4, NKJV)

          “Then let the sunlight fade, let twilight bring its gloom,
          Not a shadow can my blissful soul affright;
          For I know that up in heaven there is room,
          In that city where the Lamb is the light.”

We walk through this world, not in darkness but in Light.  As in the Old Testament, we know that God’s Word is a “lamp to our feet, and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105, NKJV) and that God, Himself, is our “Light and our salvation” (Psalm 27:1, NKJV)  Only when we are in darkness is there reason to stumble.  Only when we allow the dark clouds to lower and hinder our walk do we falter.  Remember, as Paul writes, “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5, NKJV).  So here’s a little homework assignment.  I didn’t use all the verses to Buffum’s hymn, look them up.  Also, try doing a little study that refers to God as the Light.

                    –1 Corinthians 2:9 (Living Bible)
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               “I know not why God’s wondrous grace
               To me He hath made known,
               Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
               Redeemed me for His own.”
                        –Daniel W. Whittle

It’s a mystery for sure.  Now, I can grasp the idea of sin–crime, wrongdoing–needs to be judged and punished.  I also can see that God in His love wanted to save man, yet His holiness, justice, and wrath demanded that there be justice and punishment.  Because of that, He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to become the perfect sacrifice to pay for the sins of man–to be the substitute.  I see that, but I don’t understand it all.  It is a mystery to me.
       There is so much that is hidden from us, one reason being that we couldn’t understand it.  Alistair Begg said, “The providences of God are seldom self-interpreting.  We have to learn to say, ‘I do not know, but I do know that God knows.'”  Mysteries are the things of the supernatural.  At times we are given glimpses into the great unknown of the spirit world, and more and more we are seeing some of the mysteries of providence unfold, but not yet, not completely.
       Paul wrote to Timothy regarding the mystery, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:  God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)  He also wrote to the Corinthians that “now we see in a mirror dimly…” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NKJV)  John writes, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2, NKJV)  One day–but not now.  The mystery is still there.
       Think of the prophets of the Old Testament.  They saw only a glimpse.  Even the pseudo-prophet Balaam saw Him is a mystery, “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel…” (Numbers 24:17, NKJV)  Job declared, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.” (Job 19:25, NKJV)
       We are given only a glimpse of the mysteries of the spirit realm.  There is a rapture that will take place–explain it completely to me,  We use terms, such as we’ll be given a new body, body… what does that mean?   How can the dead be raised from the dead?  Sure in the power of the Holy Spirit, but it cannot be explained in human terms.  How can we understand the mystery of those operations of hidden forces that “either retard or accelerate the Kingdom of Heaven”? (Vine)  Explain to me “grace.”  I know what it is, but I want it explained.  And we dare not venture into the mystery of God, Himself.  Tell me, as Whittle wrote, why God revealed His wondrous grace to me?
       Yes, one day soon, the mystery will be uncovered.  One day soon, I shall see Him as He is.  One day soon, the mystery will be revealed–but not now.  In the meantime, until I see Him face to face I will trust in Him.  Then the mystery of His grace, they mystery of salvation, the mystery of the spirit world will be revealed:  
   
               “But ‘I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
               To keep that which I’ve committed
               Unto Him against that day.'”
                        –Daniel W. Whittle

                    –Louis L’Amour  (“Bowdrie Passes Through”)

       “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

                    –James 1:17 (NKJV)
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          “God wants worshippers before workers; indeed, the only acceptable workers are those who have learned the art of worship.”  
                         –A. W. Tozer

In worship we ascribe all the glory that is due His name.  It must be done in humility recognizing the character of God.  Thankfulness and gratitude is involved.  Psalm 100 is a psalm of worship, of gratitude.
 
          1 — Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
          2 — Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
          3 — Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
          4 — Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
          5 — For the LORD is good; and His truth endures to all generations.  (NKJV)

      This is a psalm to summon you out of grief and sorrow.  It is not a dirge, but a psalm of joy.  It is a psalm to get you out of the slough of despair, depressions, and despondency, not one of lamentations.  Lawson describes the “shout” as one of loyalty given by a servant to the king.  It is a call of allegiance to the whole world.  Now, then worship the Lord with gladness, with joy.  Note the term “serve”–it means that we serve God with our worship or that we worship God with our serving recognizing Whom we are really serving.
      George O. Wood says that there are four reasons for joy found in this Psalm.
           1)  The Lord is God — Our personal world is based on His reality.  “We have a floor of hope, a foundation of sureness.  No matter where we are in life, the Lord reigns.
           2)  He made you — God never does anything without purpose.  Remember, making you is not just at birth, but will continue throughout your life.
           3)  You are His — God’s possession; part of His family.
           4)  You belong to God’s community — You are not a solitary soul wandering through life.

Know then, that you are God’s.  He watches over you, He cares for you, He is developing you.  Isn’t that a reason for joy?  “When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes leap and dance as they leave my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.” (Franz Joseph Haydn).
      Authentic praise and worship should be permeated with much thanksgiving.  Recall the abundant blessings that come from God.  Look to Him with adoration and gratitude.  “Live under the constant theme of gratitude to God” (Lawson).  Why then should we worship?  Because of who God is, and because of what this psalm states–“the Lord is good”!  Wood puts it into perspective, “When our hearts fill up with the contemplation of the Lord and His watchful care over us, thanksgiving rather than complaint or confusion expresses itself from our hearts.  Often when you are in pain, you become overly focused on realities outside you.”  Come then, each morning to visit the Lord.  Fill your heart with thanksgiving for His truth, His lovingkindness, endures and continues to all generations.
      One more thought.  Could this be a glimpse into the great banquet that is to take place at the “Marriage Supper”?  Singing, shouting, laughing, merriment–thanking the Lord and praising Him.  The earth is invited to respond; He has taken care of everything, all you have to do is show up.  Do not slight the mercy of the Lord.

               “For why?  the Lord our God is good,
               His mercy is forever sure;
               His truth at all times firmly stood,
               And shall from age to age endure.”
                      –William Kethe

                    –Colossians 4:5 (NKJV)
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Redeem:  1) to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something; 2) gain or regain possession of something in exchange for payment.

Redeem, redemption are very much a part of the Christian theology and experience.  I have often wondered what Paul meant when he wrote in Ephesians to “redeem the time.”  How can one buy back time?  How can one compensate for the use of time?  How can one regain possession of time?  Look at the verse again, using the Amplified translation:

              “Making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.”  –Ephesians 5:16

The NASB, translates the verse, “Make the most of your time.”  The NLT, “Make the most of every opportunity.”  In other words, it does not mean paying in exchange for something.  Vine states it this way, “to buy up for oneself” and the same word used in Colossians 4:5, means “buying up the opportunity.”  Vine continues, “making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed.”
       In my reading I came across a piece regarding how we should use our precious, little time.  It was written by Nicholas Herman of Lorraine, better known as Brother Lawrence.  He is famous for his writings on practicing the presence of God.

          “Since, by His mercy, He gives us still a little time, let us begin in earnest, let us redeem the time that is lost, let us return with a whole-hearted trust to this Father of Mercies, who is always ready to receive us into His loving arms.  Let us renounce, and renounce generously, with single heart, for the love of Him, all that is not His; He deserves infinitely more.  Let us think of Him unceasingly; in Him let us put all our confidence.  I doubt not but that we shall soon experience the effects of it in receiving the abundance of His grace, with which we can do all things, and without which we can do naught but sin.
          “We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life, without the actual and continual help of God; let us then pray to Him for it continually.  How can we pray to Him without being with Him?  How can we be with Him, but in thinking of Him often?  And how can we have Him often in our thoughts, unless by a holy habit of thought which we should form?  You will tell me that I am always saying the same thing; it is true, for this is the best and easiest method that I know; and as I use no other, I advise the whole world to it.  We must know before we can love.  In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure!”

      To redeem the time because the days are evil.  Therefore, we need to make the most of every opportunity to serve Him.  We should not waste time, as it belongs to the One who gave it to us and we will be called into account for it.  Instead of wasting, or misusing time–think on Him.  You want a relationship, then think of the Him with whom you want the relationship.  What do you know about God?  Do you seek to know more?  Perhaps a loose translation could be–“don’t waste God’s time,” or “don’t waste the time He has given you.”  Why?  Because the days are evil.  
      As we see more and more evil upon the earth and where you live, we need to be more mindful of how we spend our time.  Our thought time, our work time, our play time, our free time, is it being used to come closer to God and for His kingdom?