Daily Devotions

Today we reach the words in our hymn that says,

and let your glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and make my pathway clear, by your illuming.

In biblical theology, the Holy Spirit's "illumination" refers to the Spirit's work of enlightening believers, helping them understand and apply God's Word, leading to a deeper understanding of truth and a transformed life. 

Paul speaks of this reality in 1 Corinthians 2:13–14: “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” Thus, for us today, the Holy Spirit enables us to understand, live out, and apply God’s Word in our lives.

A preacher recalls walking to church one winter evening to preach on the words, "He will glorify me" (John 16:14). Seeing the building floodlit as he turned a corner, he realising that this was exactly the illustration his message needed. 

When floodlighting is well done, the floodlights are placed so that you do not see them; in fact, you are not supposed to see where the light is coming from; what you are meant to see is just the building on which the floodlights are trained. 

The intended effect is to make it visible when otherwise it would not be seen for the darkness, and to maximise its dignity by throwing all its details into relief so that you can see it properly. This perfectly illustrated the Spirit's new covenant role. The Spirit  is, so to speak, the hidden floodlight shining on the Saviour.

Lord, I pray that you would open my heart and mind to receive the things of your Spirit. Help me to understand and discern your wisdom and truth, even when it may seem foolish to the natural man. Grant me the spiritual discernment to know your will and follow your ways. Thank you for your grace and guidance in my life. Amen."