Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:13:18 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna July 22-BP: Ps. 119:105-112; RBTTY: Acts 23:16-35; Ps. 31-32
July 22 “Our Lamp and Light”
“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105
Daily devotion to Him and a delving into His Word assures a sure path and steady hand as we face the day.
His Lamplight.
There were no electric lights in the psalmist days. Theirs was a simple, oil-burning vessel often made out of pottery, which either had lips or were completely enclosed with a hole in the middle or a spout in the rim for the wick. Quite often they were colorfully decorated and even had a handle for ease of carrying. And, they were usually filled with olive oil or fat and could burn from two to four hours with the flax wicks having to be trimmed from time-to-time.
Throughout the Scriptures the lamp became a symbol for understanding (II Sam. 22:29), guidance (Prov. 6:23) and life (Job 21:17). John the Baptist was “the burning and shining lamp” in whose light the Jews rejoiced (Jn. 5:35). And, Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Mt. 25:1-13) having enough oil to keep their lamps burning represented readiness and obedience to His teachings.
By describing God’s Word as “a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path” the anonymous author of today’s Manna reveals the importance of “hiding His Word in our hearts so we’ll not sin against Him” (Ps. 119:11). He knew how dark the paths were at night while traveling and how important the “lamp’s light” was to ensure safe passage.
Likewise, even though a lamp’s light—fueled by olive oil or fat—was dim at best in comparison to today’s incandescent or fluorescent lights, it still was better than no light at all. And, in reality, a little Bible study is better than none. . .although a daily, quiet meditation on God’s Word for at least 30 minutes will truly help us be the “salt and light” our Master has called us to be (Mt. 5:13-16).
There’s no doubt the psalmist was going through a rough time. Repeatedly he talks about his afflictions and those who opposed him. However, through it all he testified as to how God’s Word “quickened (Heb. ‘chayah’—‘enliven, revive, restore, nourish, repair, etc.’) him” (v.107) and “kept him from the enemy’s snare” (v.110).
And, it’ll also do the same for us, dear Pilgrim.
Although every modern-day, ethical/moral/legal issue is not specifically addressed in the Bible (e.g., abortion, cloning, stem cell research, etc.), it does give us eternal, overarching truth-principles to go by. And, our failure to go by them causes us to “sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind” (Hos. 8:7), resulting in moral/spiritual decay, chaos and ultimately destruction.
That’s why we, like the psalmist, should always say “I have inclined (Heb. ‘natah’—‘to stretch or spread out, bow down to, diligently adhere to, etc.’) my heart to perform Your statutes always—even unto the end” (v.112). Simply put, Christ is our “Bright and Morning Star” (Rev. 22:16) and His Word our Compass that always points to Him.
Thanks,
Mr. Lynn M. Smith
Department Business Administrator
Department of Economics
204C McElhinney Hall
(713) 743-3802 (office)
(713) 743-3798 (fax)
LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)
http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)
No comments:
Post a Comment