Psalm 97:11-12 "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. (12) Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness."
"Light is sown for the righteous." We sometimes call it enlightenment or understanding and sometimes the light is a physical light of illumination for us to be able to see the way. What was the first thing God created? Was it not light? "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." (Genesis 1:1) This light is the glory of God which is set upon all the earth and heavens. This was not the light of the sun, moon, and stars, for they were created on the fourth day. "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. (17) And God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth." (Genesis 1:16-17)Now you might say everyone, both righteous and unrighteous, get the benefit of the sun, moon, and stars. And that's true. But let's look at a couple instances where God sowed the natural light for the righteous. There was a day when the Israelites were fighting the Amorites. The day was growing short and the people of Israel could have been trapped in the mountains and rendered helpless; except for God sowing the light for the righteous. We read in Joshua 10:13, "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. ... So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day." God caused the sun to stand still until the enemies were subdued. Yes, God sowed light for the righteous.
We will look at another instance where God sowed the natural light for the righteous. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, (2) Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1-2) God revealed to these men of the East concerning this star and its purpose. They went to King Herod to enquire concerning this one that was born King of the Jews. Herod evidently could not see the star, but those who had been drawn to that place could indeed see it. "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was." (Matthew 2:9) God sowed the light for the righteous.
Zaccharias, the father of John the Baptist, spoke these words concerning Jesus the Christ. "... Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, (79) To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:78-79) Where do we look to find this "dayspring" that gives light when we are in times of darkness and walking in the shadow of death? Remember who is with us when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death? "The Lord is my Shepherd." (Psalm 23:1) But where do we look to find that Light? "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Yes, that LIGHT that is sown for the righteous and gives gladness in our hearts is none other than the Risen Lord Jesus Christ Who lives within us by His Holy Spirit. Let us give thanks at the remembrance of His Holiness!