Summer solstice is here. Earth’s tilt on its axis puts the northern hemisphere closest to the sun and we benefit with long daylight hours. The opposite will occur six months from now. It’s amazing how daylight gain or loss can be measured to the second each day as reported by the Clarion. Hebrews 1:3 explains that God is “upholding all things by the word of his power.”

When God said, “Let there be light,” he was speaking into existence the phenomenon of natural light. It was more than just illumination. A study of physics will reveal the many astonishing properties of light.

In creation, light and darkness were divided and called day and night. The solar system was established with its accuracy of orbits and revolutions for each planet and moon. At night, in the darkness, is when we see more of celestial creation; stars, planets, meteors, comets, galaxies, northern lights, etc. It is an amazing display of light or reflected light.

The record of creation in Genesis chapter one says the Spirit of God moved in the darkness. This is especially true in the spiritual realm. When Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world,” it was spiritual light he was emphasizing.

We honored fathers last Sunday. (One little boy explained Father’s Day as being like Mother’s Day only we don’t spend as much on the gift.) They were recognized for their faithfulness, work, compassion, providing for their families, and so on. God is called “the Father of lights” in James 1:17. From him come gifts that are good and perfect. He doesn’t change and is always providing light.

Many factors contribute to spiritual blindness. Satan’s subtle influence attempts to thwart the “light of the glorious gospel of Christ” from shining in peoples’ lives. However, the same God who commanded light to shine in creation can shine in our hearts with a spiritual light that is powerful. This light gives “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

While the disciples walked with Jesus during his ministry on earth, they saw many examples of light being declared and shared. When his death on the cross caused such darkness, they experienced the opposite reaction when the resurrection came to light. In fact, light was emphasized by the appearance of the angels at the empty tomb who are described by the Gospel writers as shining, white, white as snow, light, and like lightning.

Peter, the outspoken disciple, especially felt the emotions of despair and rejoicing. The dark days following his denial of the Lord were replaced by the light of life when he preached on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). In a letter he later wrote, he recounted the experience of seeing Jesus glorified in dazzling white. He wrote of “a light that shineth in a dark place.” He appealed that the “day star arise in your hearts,” not the sun but the Son of God (2 Peter 1:16-19).

It’s important that no matter when the sun rises, early or late in the day, we make sure the day star arises in our hearts. This is a light that cannot be extinguished.

Mitch Glover is pastor of Sterling Pentecostal Church. Sunday services include Bible classes for all ages at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Bible study is Thursday at 7 p.m. Visit sterlingpentecostalchurch.com.

• By MITCH GLOVER, For the Peninsula Clarion