PALM TREES and warm beaches might seem a more welcoming visual at this wintery time of year, but this snowy mountain view has something to say, especially at this point in history. In reading world news, I perceive dark clouds of war and rumors of war hanging heavily on our horizon. We may want to bury our heads in the sand to blackout the daily news, but hiding won’t work. Instead, let’s lift our eyes to the mountains and remind ourselves from where our help comes. 

Indeed, “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psa 121:2). What power to throw stars into space! What might that lifted miles of rocks to stand on end! Our help comes from the Almighty Himself, who also uniquely designed every snowflake. The Apostle Peter says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you” (1Pe 5:7). 

God remains a mountain of safety to me. “For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock” (Psa 27:5). “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (Psa 91:1-4).

Besides my Almighty Protector, God is my Light Source of truth. A photograph of snow-covered mountains inspired me to capture the effect of that light spilling over God’s creation on canvas. Summits rise before descending darkness, and trees silhouette the foreground. The photographer’s perspective excludes the light source even though its rays define the objects and bring them to life. 

In the same way, God, our Source of light and life, defines and transforms us and our perspective on life. The Apostle John writes, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1Jn 1:5). Paul tells Timothy that God alone is immortal and lives in unapproachable light, who no one has seen or can see” (1Ti 6:15).

The human eye cannot look at the sun, much less upon the Creator’s brilliance, but this picture stirred my heart for the invisible God. My unsteady hands limited my ability to paint an impression of what the Creator spoke into being, but a desire to discover that hidden light source drew me to ponder that invisible God.

Creation itself reveals God’s power and divine nature, just as the hidden light source in this painting defines and reveals the rocky slopes and forest trees. Romans tells us God’s eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen and understood from what He created so that people are without excuse. Since creation, humanity knew God existed as they interacted with the world around them through their five senses. Yet, they refused to glorify Him as God or give thanks to Him. And so “their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom 1:22).

The light of God’s living and powerful Word defines and transforms us. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing” (Jhn 15:5). If we live in the darkness of human reasoning and intellect, we remain lost in our rebellion against God, undefined and defiled.

It amazes me how the Father “qualified us to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins…” (Col 1:12-14).

Though God dwells in unapproachable light and no one has seen or can see Him, Paul tells us that in His own time, the Father will bring about the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (see 1Ti 6:17). And God made good on His word when He sent His eternal Son to be born of a woman. John bears testimony to this truth when he says, “We proclaim to you the One who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This One who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen Him” (1Jo 1:1).

Jesus, God’s “Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together… For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him” (Col 1:15-17, 19).

Even more, John continues, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (1Jhn 3:2). The first time Jesus came into the world, He came as a human baby. He promised to come again as King for those who received the gift of His righteousness. God will make our transformation complete at that time to be like Him.

The book of Hebrews includes Moses in its Hall of Faith when it says he “endured, as seeing Him who is invisible” (Heb 11:27). Does my faith “see” Him who is invisible? As I look at His fantastic creation, do I perceive Him who created all things and holds all things together? Do I lift my eyes to the mountains and remind myself from where my help comes (see Psa 121:1-2)?

The invisible, almighty God revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ, and fills us with the knowledge of His will through all wisdom and spiritual understanding so that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way. He desires for us to bear fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. He wants to strengthen us with all power according to His glorious might to have great endurance and patience. Oh, may we give joyful thanks to the Father (see Col 1:9-11)! 

Palm trees and warm beaches will never save or shield us from what Revelations 6:17 says will come, “For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Only the light of truth—the precious, shed blood of Jesus Christ on our behalf brings us the eternal security for which we long. At this historical time, we must not seek protection in anything or anyone other than “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jhn 1:29). 

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light….” (Jhn 3:17-21).

Today, the Light still shines in darkness!