When God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and led them through the desert to the Promised Land, we find a miraculous provision. “The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night” (Exodus 13:20-22 NLT).

When you are born again into the family of God through faith in Christ (John 3:3; 1:12) you do not need to wander around in the wilderness stumbling in the dark. David discovered this great daylight saving truth, “The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) Jesus said, “The night is coming and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5 NLT).

The first and most important way to save daylight is to repent of sin and walk in obedience to the One who is the Light of the World. “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness, we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light as God is in the light we have fellowship with each other and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:5-7 NLT).

A most amazing daylight saving miracle happened when Joshua was fighting the enemies of God. The Lord destroyed multitudes with a terrible hailstorm. (Joshua 10:11) Many enemies of Israel still survived the battle and night was fast approaching. Joshua prayed, “’Let the sun stand still over Gibeon and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies” (Joshua 10:12-15).

Jesus promised to return for His children, the church – his bride. For those who neglect their salvation and refuse to repent and receive Christ as their Savior, it will be too late. They will be lost in the darkness of hell forever. (John 3:16; Luke 16) Many scoff at the preaching of the soon coming of the Lord. But the Word of God tells us that the Lord has delayed His coming because “He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come un-expectantly as a thief” (II Peter 3). We are told we can hasten or hurry the Lord’s coming. (II Peter 3:12) How? By sharing the good news of salvation throughout the world. The preaching of the gospel while it is day will hurry the end – the coming of the Lord. (Matthew 24:14)

To save daylight we must redeem the time. (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5) We must do the Lord’s work while it is day. (John 9:4) Believers save daylight by obeying this injunction. “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers” (I Peter 4:7-9). The Apostle Peter admonishes us. “And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen (the coming of the Lord) make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight” (II Peter 3:14 NLT). In the city of God – the New Jerusalem above there is no night – for the Lamb, Jesus Christ is its light. (Revelation 21:1, 21-22) Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life as a citizen of that kingdom? (John 1:12)