God left a lamp

In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah. He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maachah the granddaughter of Abishalom. And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David. Nevertheless for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem; because David did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. – 1 Kings 15.1-5

These were dark days for God’s people. Abijam had become king of Judah and he turned against God. His sins were great and God would have been justified in just wiping out the country.

But it was still God’s land. Jerusalem was still God’s city. And so, for David’s sake, God provided a lamp in Jerusalem. In the darkness God still provided a light. David’s walk after God’s heart had long lasting results. God was not going to let His light go our amongst his people. The light was hidden, it may have appeared subdued, but Gd was not going to leave His people without hope.

It we live a dark world today. It's presence can almost be felt. It seems like the old is winning and darkness is spreading. But God still has left the world with a lamp even in these dark days. We are that light as we reflect Christ to the world.

This little light of mine – am I going to let it shine?