Lamp vs Light
Which would you choose if you could only choose one?
This year I’ve committed to read through the Bible chronologically following a plan from The Bible app called ‘The Bible Recap’. Along with this plan there is an optional corresponding podcast that emphasizes details and extra history relating to the daily scriptures.
Personally, I challenge myself to do this in a certain sequence:
listen to the audio from the Bible app
READ the chapters FROM my personal Bible
THEN listen to the podcast.
Taking me about 30 mins in total per day, give or take depending on where I feel God takes me in it.
For me, this technique pushes me to hear what God is personally sharing with me not just what the podcaster is revealing. Now don’t get me wrong, the podcaster (Tara Lee Cobble) is terrific, and I’ve gained many treasures from hearing her thoughts too.
As I type this Minutes message it is day 154 for the year. I am excited to have started this journey as reading like this has linked many of the main stories I’ve learned over the years with all the intricate details that can only come from taking time to read. Plus, we are planning on going back to Israel with our awesome church,
, in January and I will have so much more understanding of the locations and significance of them after this Bible journey.Just a few days ago, the reading was Ps. 119- which happens to be the longest chapter in the Bible, both in the number of verses and words, with 176 verses and approximately 2,445 words (depending on the English translation). And because I was curious, I timed my reading.
I prefer to read out loud as I believe reading OUT LOUD has an affect that can’t be duplicated by silent reading.
This explanation is for another MINUTES message…
I stopped the timer right under 15 mins and that was with me rereading a few verses to make sure I understood the author’s intentions. I know we are all busy in life, but honestly, who can’t spare 15 mins to read God’s Word? Especially when so many nuggets are here that can literally change our lives in seconds because we took the time! After all who doesn’t spend 15 mins on social media or tv or useless ‘news’ or played a mindless game … or fill in the blank (______ ) that took 15 mins that did nothing positive for your life. Remember we don’t get time back AND one day we will ALL MEET our wonderful God who WILL ask us what we did with our time?
Romans 14:12 is just one verse that tells us that we will be held responsible in front of God for all we have done with our words, actions, deeds, cares, time, money…. so, let’s get busy friends!!
No time like now to READ our life manual, The Bible, and learn from it.
Romans 14: 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
And the funny thing is many people find themselves procrastinating or arguing with themselves for 15 mins that they don’t have TIME to read… 🙄
As I read Ps. 119 I felt like I was joining the author and praying all of these very important requests and needs for myself, many having to do with changing the author’s (my) heart, loving God’s precepts, understanding that God’s laws are truth and will NEVER go away that they will stand the very length of time, asking God to watch over me and forgive me… and so much more!
So, with my technique, after reading, my next step is to listen to the corresponding podcast.. and here was a very special treasure that I did not know but loved hearing and I thought it would be beneficial for you to hear TLC’s thoughts to wrap up this message so that it stays only minutes to read.
Back to the title of this message… Lamp vs Light - which would you choose? Well, the good news is that with God you don’t have to choose! He is BOTH! Let’s dive in…
Ps. 119: 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
If you just breeze over this verse it doesn’t appear to maybe have a large impact and I am sure that’s because of the generation we live in, electricity and manmade light everywhere. Even our smart phones have flashlights.. most of us have never lived in areas without light for an extended amount of time. I know there are exceptions but in general we don’t experience much in the terms of darkness without access to light.
As you know, in the days this was written they did not have access to much light and needed lamps - hence the word, LAMP in this verse refers to a foot lamp, a single candle. This kind of lamp would only give enough light for a single step. They could make a journey step by step with only a candle, but they would have to refer back to the candle if they wanted to see where their next step should be placed. (Just like the Word of God). That’s the info for LAMP in this verse… ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet.’
Now for the next part ‘a light to my path’ - the meaning for LIGHT here is completely different. It’s a floodlight, its daybreak, it’s God saying, “Let there be light!” it’s all illuminating kind of light!
This is incredible!!
God’s Word IS BOTH kinds of light for us and we don’t have to choose one or the other, we can have both every moment of the day!
He can be both for us, at all times- both for the small, personal guidance (steps) we need moment to moment day to day… and the ‘Philippians 2:10 GLORIOUS TRUTH of God that will light up the entire universe’ kind of God!
Phil. 2:10 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I pray this revelation is a blessing for you too and that you will use this understanding of His light sources to best equip yourselves for the day at hand asking Him for moment to moment, step by step, guidance and direction. As well have an AWE for Who He is and that He still cares for each of us in a very personal and special way that ministers to our very needs.
If you would like to take 15 extra mins now that you are inspired, the link for Ps. 119 is below.. feel free to drop me a comment and let me know your timing.
Here is the link:
Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
Live Radiantly… today,
Monica
So beautiful!!