August 7th was National Lighthouse Day, commemorating the day in 1789 when the United States Congress approved an act for the “establishment and support of Lighthouse, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers.” It only took Congress another 200 years to establish this celebration!
Prior to lighthouses, lit beacons and buoys were used to warn ships approaching too close to shore. Even perpetually lit fires on the shore were used. However, this didn’t “guide ships through the islands and shoals of Boston Harbor. To mark the entrance to the harbor and thereby benefit trade, a group of merchants petitioned the legislature for a lighthouse in 1713. Little Brewster was chosen as the site, and in 1716 the construction of Boston Light was completed—the oldest lighthouse site in North America. Other colonies also needed guides to their ports. Subsequently, 11 additional lighthouses were built before 1789, including Sandy Hook, New Jersey, 1764 (still standing as the oldest lighthouse in the United States).”1
As with anything, innovations have been made through the years. Lightships, vessels anchored in shallow waters where a lighthouse could not be built, began appearing. Eventually, though, the lightships were phased out by LNBs, Large Navigational Buoys. Technology provided different ways to alert ships and lighthouses became automated. Boston Light was the last lighthouse staffed with a lighthouse keeper, becoming fully automated in 2023.
Lighthouses are a beautiful reminder along the coasts of the structures and people who sounded warnings for nearly three centuries. Every time I see a lighthouse or even hear the word, one thing comes to mind.
There’s a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life’s sea.
When I’m tossed it sends out a light that I might see.
And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me home,
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more.
Chorus
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 the light around me, so that I might clearly see.
If it wasn’t for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?
The Lighthouse was written in 1970 by Larry Hinson of The Singing Hinson Family. The Goodmans were the first to record it in 1971, followed by The Hinsons. It was introduced to our church by Bro. Bob Boothman, and I can still hear him singing it. The Lighthouse became one of his signature songs.
Speaking to Israel of the coming Messiah, Isaiah 60:1 declares, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” Jesus and the Gospel message is that light!
Psalms 27:1 says, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” And, speaking of Himself, Jesus says in John 8:12 “… I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
There is another analogy to lighthouses that can be found in Scripture. Psalms 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” And, Proverbs 6:23 says, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” The Bible serves as a lighthouse in our lives. The Scriptures guide us through the dangerous, rocky shoals of life, steering us away from danger.
Lighthouses may change, be replaced, or disappear altogether. But THE Lighthouse will never change, be replaced, or disappear. Jesus, the Gospel, and the Word of God are a never-changing constant. They are always trustworthy and dependable.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
1https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/history-of-lighthouses.htm
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