A Lamp – Life is like that sometimes. (3)

Part 2.  A Lamp – Life is like that sometimes. (3)                              

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

                       You know− Read it, Study it, Know it, Live it.  

Have you ever felt as if you were stumbling around in a dark wilderness? <> Life is like that sometimes.

 

When God directed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He literally illuminated their way with a pillar of fire through the night. 

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people (Exodus 13:21-22).

The pillar of cloud and pillar of fire were the manifest

presence of God showing the multitude the way through the wilderness. They didn’t have the written Word back then, other than the tablets with God’s Commandments. 

 

In like manner, the Word of God is the manifest presence of God for us today, showing the way through the wilderness called life. Yes, we have the Holy Spirit guiding us as well, but without knowledge of the Word, it’s hard to correctly discern the voices that may speak into our souls and spirits. 

I once heard this description of a person without God or knowledge of the Bible: It would be like a blind man in an unfamiliar pitch black dark room, looking for a black cat that is not there.  How undone is that?!  

Every life will bring its share of difficulties. To face trials time and time again without the hope of Christ and the light of His Word would certainly be a frustrating and futile existence. Oh, things may go smooth for a while but we can bet that one day the hammer’s gonna to fall. 

For the discouraged man or woman, the psalmist writes, Oh, send Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the alter of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God (Psalm 43:3-4 NKJV). 

 

The psalmist is fervently acknowledging the need for God. And he’s appealing for the light and truth that comes from God. Then when this is achieved, he knows he will have experienced God Himself−referring to God as my exceeding joy. He will then gratefully praise Him. 

Today let’s praise God for the light of His Word that helps us navigate through the wilderness areas of life. Yesterday’s horrific killings of two young journalists in my own state has pitched many people into a wilderness experience.

When we turn to God’s Word to help us navigate through such trauma, we’ll be stronger when we come out on the other side. And as we allow the Holy Spirit to comfort as only He can, we can find peace.

Please pray with me that God will take this tragic and evil event and use it for His glory in the building of His Kingdom. Only God can do such a thing. And let’s pray that in our own wilderness experiences we’ll turn to God’s Word and to Him in prayer as a first resort.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and may God abundantly bless you as you seek to know Him better and allow His Word to help you navigate through the wilderness of life.

 

Let's end today's thought and do as the psalmist. Let's praise our God as we enjoy this beautiful song from Psalm 43:3-6 "To God, My Exceeding Joy" <>   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhxmNOGII5k

©Connie Wohlford

 

 

 

Part 2.  A Lamp – Let there be light. (2)   
                          We continue with RiSiKiLi−

                       You know− Read it, Study it, Know it, Live it.  

The writer of II Samuel saw God as the light for our way. As we read this Passage, keep in mind that God and His Word are one. 

For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God: God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer. He sets me on my high places.  II Samuel 22:29–34  

Before I write another word, I’ve just got to tell you−This morning, as I prayed for my grandchildren, part of my prayer was that God would help them to choose to walk the high road. Then when I read the above Passage, I had to smile. I believe God was smiling too.    

 
The Old Testament writer of II Samuel recognized that God lights our way. He illuminates the darkness along our way and it is perfect. God’s Word is proven. In other words it is tested and sure. It is dependable.

 

 

 The writer goes on to say that God is a shield to all who trust Him and He puts our feet securely on the high path. When we struggle along our path of life, in the dark, we’re not sure footed. But God sees clearly every detail of everything that’s before us, behind us, around us.

One could say. “I’m not struggling in life. All is well.”

We all know that can change in a heartbeat. A storehouse of God’s Word in our hearts shields our vitals and helps us keep our balance when adversity suddenly strikes.

Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, Psalm 119:105.

For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, Proverbs 6:23 states (NIV).

Let’s look at the definition of word. It means “speech; word or words; commandment; dictum; answer; saying.” Word comes from the root word Amar and occurs approximately 5,000 times in the Old Testament.* 

My favorite of those definitions is answer.
My Bible, His Word to me—His child—contains all the answers. We have the questions and problems. He has the answers and solutions. Every morning when I open this inspired Word of God, He speaks into my very life, Let there be light.

Is it your habit to allow God to speak into your life on a regular basis? If not, today is the best time to start. A path that is illuminated by the light of God and His Word is a path that leads to abundant life—by God’s definition. NO-thing could be better. God bless you abundantly today.

 

*Spirit Filled Life Bible, “Word Wealth,” at II Samuel 22:31, p.473.

©Connie Wohlford

 

Please agree with me in prayer.

Please agree with me in prayer. 

Today I returned home from a short beach trip. I love the ocean−especially early morning walks. My strolls this week included an added element not usually present. Each morning, while looking out across the vast body of water, I whispered prayers for Austin and Perry, the lost Florida teens. 

 On one of those days the sea was especially rough. I stood for a long time watching the tumultuous waters off the South Carolina coast. While the wet sand cooled my feet and the wind tangled my hair, thoughts of the two boys burned my heart.
Again I prayed: "Oh, God, they need you!"

I recalled the adventurous natures of my own two sons when they were teenagers. And my mind's eye could see my 13 & 14 year old grandsons.
My heart cried again: "Oh God, please help those boys."
Thinking of my own sons and grandsons, I suppose is why I'm so burdened for Austin, Perry, and their families. I cannot imagine the trauma they're going through. The first time I saw their photos on TV news my heart sunk.
Today, even now, will you agree with me in prayer for these two boys?

Let's pray: 

"Oh Lord, we come to You, asking for a miracle for Austin and Perry. Many say that all hope is lost. But You're the God of all hope.
Father, you see and know all things. You know where they are and their situations. We ask that you intervene−that you dispatch angels onto the scene for each of them. 
Father, we dare to ask that you deliver them safely to their families. Please minister right now to them and their families in all their needs. Holy Spirit, we pray You comfort them and their families as only You can do.
Lord, we know Your arm is not too short and your love is limitless. Thank you, Mighty God, for hearing our prayers.
In the wondrous name of Jesus of Nazareth, we pray- Amen."

© Connie Wohlford