Authored by Martha Dodd

Read: Psalm 119:105,130; Psalm 18:28
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.  The unfolding of your words gives light.
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.     

Reflect: 
On a trip to Israel several years ago, I was given a replica of an oil lamp used in Bible times.  I was surprised at how small it was; it fit in the palm of my hand.   Made of clay, the lamp was crafted to hold a small amount of olive oil in its reservoir.  Once, I tried a little experiment.  I poured oil into the reservoir, soaked the wick, lit the flame, and turned off all the lights to see just how much light the lamp would shed.  The immediate area around me was illuminated, and there was enough light for a few steps.  And when I took those few steps, the area that had previously been obscured by darkness, could be seen with greater clarity.  

CandleSometimes in my own life, I have wanted more light, clearer evidence, greater reassurance, fewer obstacles, or maybe even a “sign” before I’ve been willing to step out in faith. I have wanted to know how long before “this” will change, or when “that” will happen.  I have wanted a flood light on my path! 
  
Jesus, the Light of the World, promised that those who follow Him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12) – the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our paths.  (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

How then, does God turn our darkness into light?  What does the psalmist mean when he says that the unfolding of God’s word brings light? 
 
One of the ways the Holy Spirit accomplishes this in our lives is as we meditate on God’s word.  Jen Wilkin says: “The Scriptures have a plain meaning the Spirit illuminates, but they also yield deeper and deeper levels of understanding when we make them our repeated object of thought.  Put another way, rumination begets illumination.  The Holy Spirit responds to the diligent employment of the mind by giving insight, wisdom and understanding.”*
 
Rather than being an end in itself, meditating on God’s word yields good fruit – the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the fruit of faithful living, as we take our next step in trust and dependence on the One who began a good work in us, and who will bring that good work to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 1:6) 
 
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that You are the Light of the World.  And in relationship with You, You have said that I am the light of the world. (Matthew 6:14-16) Help me not to hide that light; enable me to take my next step in faith so Your light in me will shine before others, they will see Your good works, and give You glory.   And as I live by the Spirit, teach me today what it means to keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
 
*Jen Wilkin – “When We Set Our Minds on things Above” Christianity Today March ‘21

Enough Light For The Next Step

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