Lamp . . . Light – April 16, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:17-19 . . . apply your heart to what I teach, . . . so that your trust may be in the LORD . . . NIV.

Usually, each verse in proverbs stands alone. So, the principle of examining the context to understand a verse frequently is inapplicable when we read this book. The thoughts for this devotional come from a three-verse unit and the context of any one of the verses is related to the whole.

As surprising and unusual as it may be Solomon here, twenty-one chapters after his introduction, returns to the rationale for his writing. Perhaps he felt this was a good time to remind his readers of the purpose for the book. Anyone who has taught (or preached) understanded the importance of repetition. So, Solomon tells us that the wisdom he offers comes with a price. He desires us, the readers, to grow in our trust of God as demonstrated by a life of obedience, worship, service, integrity, and growth.

I want my wisdom like I want my patience – NOW!. In contrast Solomon stresses that wisdom is gained only by “applying your heart.” This means if I am to grow in wisdom I need to engage in hard work and disciplined activity over time. That last part requires the gift of patience and companions. Patience because I often have to relearn lessons for them to stick. Companions because I need the counsel of people who have learned the lessons of godly living to walk with me. I also need to share freely what God has (and still is) taught me with people who also want to grow in grace and wisdom, yet are not as far along as I.

Father, today I commit to undertaking what is needed to learn to apply the wisdom of Your Word to my daily life. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – February 7, 2045

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Psalm 37

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust in him and he will do this, he will make your righteousness shine like the dawn . . . NIV.

Have you ever struggled with some habit you wanted to change or some sin you keep on doing? This psalm gives us a promise and a challenged. The challenge is to commit our lives to God and trust Him to do what we cannot do. The promise is that God will make our righteousness shine like the dawn with an ever-increasing light until full day arrives.

I find it interesting how many things Jesus said which have their ground in the Old Testament. Here David tells us that those who commit themselves to God’s care will be changed and have a righteousness that shines. Light is an amazing metaphor. Darkness cannot extinguish light. A small candle will illuminate a room or in our modern world a tiny night light dispels children’s fear and provides safety when walking at night.

So, Jesus in the spirit of this verse said his disciples are like a city on a hill, whose lights would be seen for miles. He also said we are to be like lamps which are set out to illumine the room, not placed under a cover and hidden. Paul also carried this image when he said, “so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” (Philippians 2:15).

How then do we shine? Jesus encouraged us to demonstrate God’s transforming power by our good actions. Paul expanded the concept by saying we are to be blameless and pure. We are to allow God’s grace and love to permeate every aspect of our behavior. We encounter God’s grace when we realize that in our own efforts we cannot meet God’s standard, which is to be holy just as He is. Since we do not have the capability, we come to Him in faith in Jesus who died and rose again. God then changes us and gives us a new life. This life changes who we are. No longer children of death and night, we become children of life and light.

As such we will live in the light and express it. Our destiny, our salvation, is not grounded in our efforts. Our efforts, our work, our service, is grounded in our salvation. We have been changed and that change will demonstrate as we life lives pleasing God and loving others. Our action is necessary as God has ordained that we develop wisdom and knowledge through the disciplines of service, surrender, study, confession, discipleship, and worship.

God, grant me the grace to persevere in my love for You and shining Your love and redemption to the world around me. Amen.