The Lighthouse
It should be obvious by now that I love Gospel Music, especially Southern Gospel. All the Old Church Standards hold a special place in my heart as well. Sometimes, just reflecting about our Lord and Savior through a song can bring our relationship with Him even closer. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit may even use a song to help us reconnect with the Savior. I speak from personal experience.
In 2001, Ronnie Hensen wrote a song called “The Lighthouse,” and the Goodman Family recorded it first. Just looking at the chorus is a full sermon waiting for us:
“And I thank God for the Lighthouse; I owe my life to Him. Jesus is the Lighthouse; and from the rocks of sin, He has shown a light around me that I might clearly see. If it wasn’t for the Lighthouse, Tell Me, where would this ship be?”
Coming into this sin-filled world is a journey to begin with that can go several ways. The easiest and most traveled, unfortunately, is the way of the world that ultimately leads to the Lake of Fire. There will be no “Lighthouse” there.
Jesus called this the wide gate, and knew the majority would follow it. He said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction; and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow, and the way is hard that leads to life; and those who find it are few.” (emphasis mine.)
Satan has been turning heads on this earth since the Garden of Eden, and he hasn’t slowed a bit. In fact, his activities are growing stronger, more frequent, and more open every day. He’s just arrogant enough to believe he can overcome the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; but deep down he knows his doom is near. Before his final judgment, as given in Revelation 20:10, he would like to try and keep everyone out of the Savior’s grasp. He is a master of knowing human desires, and portrays every type of sin as something we just can’t live without (rocks of sin).
Anything that even hints at being Christian is condemned in the eyes of the world. Satan uses his demons and “converts” to try and have any trace of Jesus removed. Also, God’s chosen people, the Jews, are totally within his sights as well. They are in for special persecution in the tribulation, especially the last half.
Other “religions” believe they are following their specific “god’s” instructions, not realizing their ultimate god is the devil himself. Our Heavenly Father is a God of Love, and He does not force His will on anyone. Other “gods” supposedly demand loyalty to the point that people are killed for not following them. At least that’s what their followers would like for everyone to believe; but as with the Pharisees of old, they make up their own rules as they go along.
Right at this time, Muslims in Nigeria are killing anyone Christian – men, women and children – just because they are Christian. It’s reported at least a dozen Christian villages have been wiped out, and over 200 have been killed to date. Sad part is, this has been going on for years, yet the world barely hears of this. Israel is plagued with terrorist attacks, and again with little notice from outside news sources. In fact, when the news does report it, Israel is blamed as being the aggressor just for protecting themselves from these attacks.
Jesus stated in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore, the world hates you.”
This is straight from our “Lighthouse.” He is there to send out a “beam” that will lead us to Him and safety, and ultimately total Salvation. If we will call out to our Savior, if we will confess we’re helpless sinners without Him, if we steer a course to Him and ask His forgiveness, He will rescue us from total shipwreck. When we are “rescued,” He sends the Holy Spirit to be with us; and no matter what the world throws at us, we will find ultimate safe harbor in Him. He will rescue all who call on Him (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13)
Jesus is the ultimate “Light of the world.” Revelation 21:23-24, “And the city (New Jerusalem) has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.”
God has provided everything we need to make sure we can have a glorious eternity with Him. John 3:16-18 says He sent His Son to be our Savior, and all we are required to do is to accept Him. We are like that tiny speck which is a ship on an angry sea. Our “Lighthouse” sends His beam (His Love) to us as a life-ring to rescue us from an eternity of torment. Our goal from the moment of our “rescue” is to honor and follow the one who saved us.
He knows we are weak as long as we’re a part of this earth. He gives us the means of continuing to be in His safe care, even when we slip and sin (1 John 1:9). When we become one of His, we recognize we do not want to go back into the “angry sea” of sin. We need to stay close to Him through prayer and by reading His love letter (Bible) regularly. He does not require complicated rituals or “works” to be saved.
When we speak of the narrow way, John 14:6 is the ultimate instruction to us. “Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me.” If we have Jesus, we have the Father (John 3:18; 1 John 5:12). If not, we will be lost in the sea of souls bound for the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15). It’s totally our choice, and each must accept or reject for themselves.
I can honestly say, “If it wasn’t for the Lighthouse, I know where this ship would be.” Thank you, My Jesus, for saving me. Please reach out to all who are reading this and touch their hearts with your complete grace and mercy; and save them from the sea of sin!
Amen! Come Lord Jesus!