Thy Word is Lamp Unto My Feet...
Psalm 119:105-112
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
Reflection: In David’s acrostic praise psalm to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, today we see the well- known verse, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path.” Amy Grant sang a song called “Thy Word” in the 70’s and 80’s, which became very popular on the contemporary music scene. In a world we often have GPS to guide to get to the exact location we want to arrive at (albeit some very interesting routes sometimes!), it is good to meditate on how God’s Word is an illumination for our journey as well. Though David’s life has often been on the precipice of disaster he holds tight to God’s word and does not forget their promise. We how much joy it brings him to set his heart on God’s decrees. We can see that reading and meditating on God’s word is not a slavish duty for David put the language of his heart. May you find joy in your heart as you read and meditate on God’s Word today and may it be a light for wherever God leads you!
2 Samuel 21
Wars Against the Philistines
15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” 18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. 19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. 20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him. 22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
Reflection: David continued to battle the Philistines throughout his lifetime. As he got older he was less able to have the physical stamina to go and fight with the men. He had prided himself his whole life by being a courageous warrior, who always encouraged the troops that he the king was willing to fight by their side. The men decided never again would David go out in battle with him to protect the king, the lamp of Israel. David is a fine example of a king who was willing to lay down his life for the troops. We will see an even better king centuries later who will also lay down his life for his friends willingly.
John 10:34-42
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. 40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.
Reflection: Here we see the effect of Jesus on two types of people. One, the Pharisees who continued to try and grill him and find them guilty of blasphemy and continued in unbelief. When they could not find sufficient evidence to find him guilty according to their laws, they started to appeal to the state to get rid of him. Jesus says if you do not believe in His words, at least believe His works which show where I am from. Then, when they try to seize him, he slips out of their grasp and goes back across the Jordan. There we find the second type of people. The people came to him and they said all that John said about him was true. And in that place many believed in Jesus. Even a sign could not convince the self-righteous Pharisees, but those who were expecting Jesus and saw him the words of the prophet John came to believe even before Jesus did signs.
As we endeavor to carry out Jesus’ Great Commission to go and make disciples. So will come to the Father through Him and others won’t. Our job is not to try and control the outcome, but be faithful in the proclamation and teaching. If Jesus couldn’t or didn’t, how can we? God knows who He will draw to himself and our role is to lead them to the Father through the Son in the power of the Son. Sounds simple enough, but many of us have spent a lifetime trying to be faithful and this is a good reminder that God is the one who is faithful and He gives us faith to carry on His family business.
The Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, “See, your salvation comes.” Isaiah 62:11
Christ was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 1 Peter 1:20
Holy Christ, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. In you we find consolation, salvation and joy. We pause now to thank you for your graciousness and pray for a daily sense of gratitude. In Christ’s name. Amen
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
Reflection: In David’s acrostic praise psalm to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, today we see the well- known verse, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path.” Amy Grant sang a song called “Thy Word” in the 70’s and 80’s, which became very popular on the contemporary music scene. In a world we often have GPS to guide to get to the exact location we want to arrive at (albeit some very interesting routes sometimes!), it is good to meditate on how God’s Word is an illumination for our journey as well. Though David’s life has often been on the precipice of disaster he holds tight to God’s word and does not forget their promise. We how much joy it brings him to set his heart on God’s decrees. We can see that reading and meditating on God’s word is not a slavish duty for David put the language of his heart. May you find joy in your heart as you read and meditate on God’s Word today and may it be a light for wherever God leads you!
2 Samuel 21
Wars Against the Philistines
15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” 18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. 19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. 20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him. 22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
Reflection: David continued to battle the Philistines throughout his lifetime. As he got older he was less able to have the physical stamina to go and fight with the men. He had prided himself his whole life by being a courageous warrior, who always encouraged the troops that he the king was willing to fight by their side. The men decided never again would David go out in battle with him to protect the king, the lamp of Israel. David is a fine example of a king who was willing to lay down his life for the troops. We will see an even better king centuries later who will also lay down his life for his friends willingly.
John 10:34-42
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. 40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.
Reflection: Here we see the effect of Jesus on two types of people. One, the Pharisees who continued to try and grill him and find them guilty of blasphemy and continued in unbelief. When they could not find sufficient evidence to find him guilty according to their laws, they started to appeal to the state to get rid of him. Jesus says if you do not believe in His words, at least believe His works which show where I am from. Then, when they try to seize him, he slips out of their grasp and goes back across the Jordan. There we find the second type of people. The people came to him and they said all that John said about him was true. And in that place many believed in Jesus. Even a sign could not convince the self-righteous Pharisees, but those who were expecting Jesus and saw him the words of the prophet John came to believe even before Jesus did signs.
As we endeavor to carry out Jesus’ Great Commission to go and make disciples. So will come to the Father through Him and others won’t. Our job is not to try and control the outcome, but be faithful in the proclamation and teaching. If Jesus couldn’t or didn’t, how can we? God knows who He will draw to himself and our role is to lead them to the Father through the Son in the power of the Son. Sounds simple enough, but many of us have spent a lifetime trying to be faithful and this is a good reminder that God is the one who is faithful and He gives us faith to carry on His family business.
The Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, “See, your salvation comes.” Isaiah 62:11
Christ was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 1 Peter 1:20
Holy Christ, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. In you we find consolation, salvation and joy. We pause now to thank you for your graciousness and pray for a daily sense of gratitude. In Christ’s name. Amen
Comments
Post a Comment