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 22, 2024

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

Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:19 So your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even today. NIV.

Sometimes we may wonder, “Why should I read the Bible?” What does King Solomon who lived long before cell phones and the internet have to tell me today in our fast-paced modern world? Then we find a verse like this which clearly tells us the purpose Solomon wrote. We can extrapolate a broad principle that Solomon is not unique in his sentiment. All the inspired writers of scripture concur that they write so your trust may be in the Lord.

Ironically cultivating trust in God begins with trust. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. We come to scripture believing God speaks to us, just like we plant a seed in our garden. We plant what we want to grow! So, we plant faith and water it with expectation that God will teach and develop us.

What does the Bible teach? It teaches us of God’s character. He is a trustworthy God, who loves us and has the ability to accomplish His will in the world. Although Satan attempted to destroy all the perfection God created, God implemented a plan to demonstrate His love and power. This plan culminated in what Jesus accomplished in His death and resurrection, where He defeated evil and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Seeing God accomplish His grand plan of redemption feeds our faith and causes it to grow into action.

James reminds us that faith is living and without action coming from it, faith itself is barren. So, cultivating faith means we act on what the inspired Word tells us. Jesus told us that for us to become great we must become servants to others. By faith we then consider other people’s needs more important. This may mean playing fifteen games of Candy Land with a child, or listening to someone struggling with dementia tell the same story for the fifth time in thirty minutes.

As we nurture faith, it grows and matures. We become beacons of light, love, and hope in our world.

I offer You my faith today. Nurture it until it blooms and produces fruit to Your honor and glory. Amen.