Today' Blog was written by Pastor Roy Summers
DAILY LIGHT
Jonathan Bagster, son of a publisher, wanted some Scriptures to read to his family every day. So he compiled what has become known as "Daily Light" a book of Bible verses, one selection for each evening of the year, and another for each morning. The verses are grouped around a theme and the unique feature of them is that there is no commentary. And they are short, an added boon for families with little ones. Still reprinted today, they are available in new translations, and now online.
Many believers testify to the help they have received from this loving compilation of Scripture, morning by morning and evening by evening. I am one of them.
Today's short memory verse is:
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)
Two Varieties of Light
In this wonderful short verse, what do we have? Do we have one of those two-line Hebrew poetry couplets where the second line simply echoes or expands the meaning of the first? Or do we have two different thoughts?
A little of both. The one common theme is the enlightening effects of the Word of God. But two kinds of light are pictured here, both related to walking at night time in any unlit region of ancient Palestine.
First, a broad "light for my path." When we walk in the dark it is helpful to have the moon shining upon us to mark out the broad features of the landscape. Are we walking in a valley or trekking along a mountainside? The dangers of each are different, and a broad awareness of the terrain is helpful. A general "light for my path" will go a long way.
Then there is the "lamp for our feet." We need a lamp to reveal the immediate terrain around our feet: the large boulder here, the depression there, the thorn bush, the scorpion, the ledge, and so on.
Far light and near light, broad beam and narrow beam.
God's Word, says the Psalmist, gives us both broad beam and narrow beam.
Broad Beam
Shall I marry and Whom shall I marry? are broad beam questions. Scripture sketches out the wide outlines. Every believer should consider the possibility of being single (1 Corinthians 7) and not just assume they will marry. Believers should only marry believers (2 Corinthians 6).
Isn't it wonderful to possess broad beam light? God's word sheds a wide light upon the decisions we are called to make and prevents us from making catastrophic choices - if only we pay heed.
Narrow Beam
But God's Word also sheds light upon more immediate day to day, decisions. If we believe that God's word will speak into our lives the very day we read them, and in faith if we pray that way, "Lord speak, your servant is listening" we will find that Scripture lightens up our day, with perhaps encouragement, perhaps comfort, perhaps a rebuke or perhaps wisdom.
We need this kind of prayerful expectancy when we read the Bible. May the Lord give us the faith to believe that his Word is both a light for the whole of our lives, and a lamp for the day that lies ahead.
A SONG FOR THE DAY
A song from Amy Grant from our memory verse for the day.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
When I feel afraid
And I think I've lost my way
Still You're there right beside me
Nothing will I fear
As long as You are near
Please be near me to the end
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide
And hold me to Your side
Amy Grant, Michael Smith
You can listen HERE.
A PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Our loving and gracious Father in heaven,
We thank you for this good day. All around us we find hearts are fearful because of the global pandemic. May your people possess and enjoy the peace of God which passes all understanding, knowing that you will care for us, and your sovereign will shall be accomplished on earth, as it is in heaven.
Thank you for your Word's broad light which helps light up the whole of our lives, and thank you for your Word's beam which lights up today and this hour, and this moment.
Teach us to love your Word and feed on it by faith,
For we ask these things in Jesus Name,
Amen
Photo by Vladimir Fedotov on Unsplash
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