A Lamp – Are you walking in the light or in the dark? (4)

Part 2.  A Lamp - Are you walking in the light or in the dark? (4)          

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

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

What do you know about the great prophet Isaiah?

Many know him as the one who said, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

He also said quite a bit about light and our need for the light that comes from God. He besought God’s people to turn from their pagan ways and live in the illumination provided by the Word of God that was available to them at that time—around 700-690 B.C.

Also God spoke directly to Isaiah, giving clear direction for His people, the children of Israel. Under God’s authority, Isaiah declared God’s displeasure with His people.

Early on in Isaiah’s life of prophesying, he pleaded, O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:5).

Had God’s people made the choice to heed His plea, the course of their history would have been much different. They would have averted the disastrous consequences of their decision to walk in darkness rather than light.

Do you believe our own nation will face disastrous consequences for the ways we have turned away from God in recent years?

God had guided the Israelites through history and wanted to continue to do so. Had they obeyed the commands of the Lord, they would not have been overtaken and many brutally killed by their enemies. Their children would not have been carried away into Babylon, repeopled, and made into eunuchs and slaves.

Note that the terrible future, that awaited the Jews, did not come on them by the hand of their Heavenly Father, but by their own choice to walk away from His protective hand. In doing so, they walked right into the brutal hands of powerful enemies. They choose not to walk in the light of the Words of their Lord.

For many years God’s nation of chosen people were scattered, living under the thumb and rule of others—the very enemies of their God. Nonetheless, the world, and all of mankind, can be grateful that throughout this terrible time in Israel’s history, there was a remnant, though scattered, that remained in God’s light, faithful to God and the Words He had spoken.

Isaiah was one of those, as was Jeremiah, Daniel, the three Hebrew sons who survived the fiery furnace—and others as well.

We can learn useful lessons from those who’ve gone before us. God had shown them the way. He had provided the light for their path of life. In our own age, He has illuminated our way with His instruction manual for living, the Bible, God’s Word of Truth.

Look at the opening words of the Apostle John’s Gospel. He declares: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:1-5).

John is telling us that Jesus is the expressed Word of God—the eternal and ultimate expression of God and is the light that no darkness can overtake. This gives us reason enough to dance and shout with unspeakable joy!




Photo by Joshua Hibbert

Are you walking in the light provided by your Creator? 

Moving about in the dark or even in dim light is tough going. It’s frustrating and makes it hard to accomplish much. And what we do accomplish is often flawed. We might also get hurt or even killed. 

Let’s commit to walk in the light of the Word of God.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today. Please feel free add a comment to the conversation if you’d like. 

©Connie Wohlford

Your ears shall hear.

“Risikili” – Part 7 – Your ears shall hear.      

 We continue with RiSiKiLi−

                       You know− Read it, study it, know it, live it. 

How’s your Bible time going? Are you getting to know your Creator through His Book?

God’s plan for each of us is that His Word be a guide for life each day. It can be described as a road map, in instruction manual, or a recipe for life.

Without It, how can we maintain spiritual strength, wisdom, and knowledge day to day? How can we otherwise know where to walk, at what pace, when to stop, and where to turn? When we’re walking in the way of God, we’ll have ears to hear Him direct our paths.

I love the encouragement of Isaiah 30:21: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”   

The only way for us to have the ability to hear God speak on a regular basis, is to get to know Him personally. This we do through His Word−His provision to mankind for this purpose. 

Someone might say, “Well, one time God spoke to me out of the blue when I wasn’t even saved and I was certainly not reading a Bible.” Yes, that can happen. 

An example might be when a person is about to make a decision such as going through the door on the right vs. the door on the left. This might be a soldier in an urban combat situation. God can do a sovereign work and speak clearly to him and say, “It’s the left door. Go in.”

As I said, this may be a sovereign act of God as He sees fit at that moment. Perhaps He’s answering the prayers of the young man’s mama or grandpa, down on their knees interceding for their precious loved one.   

Bottom line: It’s important for us to learn to let God show us the way through life. His Word can illuminate our path—we need to turn on the switch by reading it.

 

 

 

We don’t know what may be around any corner—God does. We can’t see the snares and pitfalls—God can. We don’t know the final outcome of any situation—God knows (Isaiah 46:10).   

 

Reading and studying our Bibles, builds trust in the One who gave us life. Knowing and trusting Him, allowing His Word to light our path, and living it out—Risikili—leads us into and through a life of upmost abundance. At the end of it we’ll hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”    

What are you doing to get to know your Creator better? Are you consistent in Bible study?  

Please leave a comment telling me and other readers how your Bible has helped you get to know God better. Also tell of a time when God gave you an answer or an instruction as a result of your Bible reading/study. 

Here’s an example from me: One morning my Bible reading included Proverbs 3:27, Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. 

As I read, I had an immediate thought, “You need to give Dianne the money for that dress.” I knew it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me!  

About a month earlier, I agreed to buy a dress from a friend. She had purchased it and then decided the color didn’t work with her red hair. As it happened it was one of my favorite colors to wear. She handed it over and said, ”No rush on paying. Whenever is fine.” 

I took her at her word and though I didn’t forget, I simply didn’t think about paying her at a “convenient time.” Then when I read that proverb, I knew I needed to take care of business. I made it a priority and her the money the next time I saw her. I also enjoyed telling her about God telling me to pay up.  

Though that occurred many years ago, I smile every time I think about it and she probably has no recollection of the occasion. 

If you’re not consistently in the Word, I encourage you start today. Then watch out for God speaking to you—often in an unexpected way.   

Feel free to record your decision to begin doing so and see it as a commitment to your Heavenly Father.  

May God richly bless your personal Bible time.  

© Connie Wohlford

Scripture passages from: https://www.biblegateway.com/