“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3 KJV)
We now begin the events of the first day. I think it no coincidence that this is God’s first order of business. We recall from verse two the darkness over the face of the deep, and we understand that God brings light into what was a dark situation. Notice how He does this. If we were to speak this light into existence, then we might use a phrase like, “Light, come into existence” or “Light, illuminate this darkness” or even “Will someone give me a light?” God does not speak light into existence. Remember that God is light (1 John 1:5 and 2 Corinthians 4:6), and God all ready exists (Genesis 1:1). Here the key word “Let” is used. Read this verse again. Read this verse in several translations of the Bible. “Let” is used in the context of letting something come or come to pass. Why would scripture intentionally use a term that seems to release what has been held back or caged up?
The fact is that I think there is no other event that could have made up the first day. We have identified Jesus as the beginning (Revelation 1:8), but time could never start to be measured until this action from God has taken place. Before we even get to God separating the light from darkness, also a part of this first day, this action of speaking forth light must take place. God spoke and there was light. On how many occasions have we failed to speak and there was darkness or because no one spoke (or was worthy to speak) the darkness persisted? How many very real present-day issues can we see this true in? What keeps us silent? Guilt? Shame? Is it the failure to realize that our identity is in Christ the rock and not in our castles made on a foundation of sand? How long does the darkness of so many activities exist before light is spoken which genuinely and clearly illuminates the situation for what it really is? Such a question reveals that such a quantity of time cannot have measure because it is endless until God speaks. Only surrender to God allows that light to exist where it did not before as God’s light reveals what really is and will not be otherwise seen. It is only at this point that a new creation can find a starting point. New or better management of our old ways at best can only mimic what we have seen after the light has come. It also reminds us of the magnitude of the tragedy of a similar and never ending darkness that those who ultimately reject Christ never leave (see 2 Peter 2:17). Much like how there is silence in heaven in Revelation 5:1-9 because no one is found worthy to open the scrolls to bring to a close all that needs to be brought into judgment, so Jesus is the only one worthy to speak the starting point from which time is measured. We can neither start nor complete anything without Christ (see Romans 11:36). With Him we can have the boldness to speak and bring light to many different situations. Again, not that the darkness is going to like the light, nor understand it, (see John 1:5), but that the light has legitimate authority to exist and is spoken forth in Christ.
Allow me to draw this picture a little differently. Have you ever been in a situation where there is darkness in your home because of anger or bitterness between you and someone else that you should otherwise have a love for? Now, it really does not matter how this darkness came about so long as you are willing to acknowledge that it is there, because we all have our own stories as to how it got there. What we now need to look at is how to resolve this problem. In order to fix this problem, we must “let there be light”. Let me give a few words of caution here. This “light” is not our light even though it is a light unto our path. This light is not the other person’s light although likewise it can separate them from the darkness too. God is the light and is eternal by nature. His light has always been there, but we have to let His light, His direction, His instruction, His guidance, His warmth, and His love be; before any separation between light and darkness can take place. We cannot take any part of our darkness and call it light and successfully guide ourselves out of anywhere. Have you ever, in the middle of your dark situation, heard the soft voice of God whisper into your ear words, that even gave you the idea that, the battle belongs to Him and not you? Has He ever suggested that you must become less and He must become greater? It is then that we can begin to “Let” there be light. It is then that we can begin to let this “light” be the great I am that it is that it might become our foundation, our rock, and our deliverance. Jesus said, “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21:44 KJV) Jesus was trying to get across to the audience, at the conclusion of His story about the vineyard, that you can be broken and let Him be the light and He will make you into a new creation, or you can solidify yourself in your current darkness and you will be ground back into the dust from which you came.
The word “Let” illustrates something very powerful about the nature of God. Although God is all powerful and fully capable of speaking light into a dark situation, He considers the will of the other. The second greatest commandment deals with our loving our neighbor as our self. There is a great deal to be said for the completeness of our love if it can consider the other.
Not only does God consider the other, but God calls us to draw near or desires a closeness (see Hebrews 10:22). One of the best spam prevention functions of an email server is to validate the senders address. A great deal of undesirable activity can be reduced by removing the layers which keep someone anonymous and in that dark cloud. A great deal of evil can thrive in an atmosphere where things are broadcast in such a way that accountability to the truth is difficult, undesired, or even impossible. Remember the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17? Have you ever wondered why our offensive weapon is a sword while the enemy’s is a fiery dart (Ephesians 6:16)? It is because a sword is used to correct people in close proximity rather than from a distance (and perhaps anonymously from within a dark cloud).
Finally, it is interesting to see how God defined the first day. “And the evening and the morning were the first day.” (Geneses 1:5b KJV) This cycle of darkness and then light coming in is set as a template to measure time. Here we see not the dawn of time (we noticed that in verse 2), but we see time is now measured. While it is true that God makes all things and God can use even dark things for His purposes, He will not let them last forever while the light that He has called is still mixed in with it. Hence the second task of the first day of separating light from darkness. Time is made for the purpose of dealing with, measuring, and containing evil. Also, notice that the measurement of time begins at the start of the creation process. God does not go through the process of creating the many and wonderful things that He does and then begin the first day. The first day is apart of the creation process. He both creates things in time and the things He creates take time. This is true even though, again, He is fully capable of creating things outside of time. You will notice as you read through each day of creation the care He gives to the events of that day. Each day is created with it’s own uniqueness, fullness, and goodness. At the end of each day He takes the time to stop and look over His creation and notice it’s goodness.
“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5 KJV)