Light, Space, Zest

March 4, 2008

By Greg Ebie

Remember when you were afraid of the dark? (Maybe you still are.) Fear of the dark caused us to go to bed each night with a light on. I remember needing a nightlight as a child. As the oldest I also remember ‘pulling the blanket over my head’ because my younger siblings wanted the hall light left on, but I had outgrown monsters in the closet and hiding under my bed.

“Light, space, zest — that’s God! So, with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing” (Psalm 27:1, The Message).

Fear is like a dark shadow hiding the light. If we let our fears grow, then the darkness can become a prison that isolates us. But God sets us free from our fears. “The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?” (NIV)

I like the way The Message describes God. He is “Light, space, zest.” Knowing God like this will set us free from our fears. Let me show you what I mean.

God is my light. With God nothing can hide. We can see the path of life before us and move forward with confidence because God shows us the way. Does that mean there are no surprises in life? No, we have all had unexpected things happen, even in the light. But here is the good news: God is more than our light.

God is my space. God gives me room to really live! Neither my enemies nor my fears can crowd in around me. Tragedy or sorrow may surprise me along life’s journey, but God holds them at a safe distance from me. God is with me and will protect me from danger; the Lord gives me room to breath. But that’s not all. God even keeps me safe from our common enemy — the one we fear the most: death.

God is my zest! God gives me life eternal. With God my life is full of passion and enthusiasm. God gives me the gusto to overcome the mountains that try to stand in my way. David was right. God is my salvation. What have I to fear?

— D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.