The Beauty of Midnight Brilliance

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“All who look to him will be radiant. Their faces will never be covered with shame.” (Psalm 34:5).

The moon is radiant only as it is in the right position to receive the light of the sun. That’s the way it is with us as well. Our lives are filled with light only as we are in right relationship with the Lord. When we look to Him, trusting Him to meet our needs, then our faces will be radiant.

There are some people who turn away from the Lord, and put their trust in man, or in money, or in methods -- only to be disappointed. They become like the moon in a lunar eclipse, caught in the shadow of the world with their faces covered in darkness. For them there is no radiance.

Still, there are others who look to themselves instead of the Lord, putting their trust in their own ability; self-righteousness they are, but still falling far short of the glory of God. These are like the moon during a solar eclipse, blocking the light of the sun as they usurp its orbit with their own. These are the type of people who brighten up a room by leaving.

Then there are those who do look to the Lord, trusting Him in all things at all times. These are like the full moon in its midnight brilliance. The light of the Lord shines upon them, making their faces radiant.

The Hebrew word translated as radiant means, “sparkles on the water.” It is a rich metaphor depicting a person who is overjoyed, and glowing with happiness.

The next time you see sparkles on the water, or a full moon in the night sky, let it remind you that the Lord wants your life to be like that for others. He wants to make your face radiant, so as to fill them with wonder – and thereby give you an opportunity to tell them the story of Jesus. When the world is in its darkest hour, there is a light from heaven that shines brighest for all to see -- it is the light of Christ reflected in you!

That, my friend, is the beauty of midnight brilliance!
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