Light in the dark
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross
In his book on Job, Mike brings another valuable
perspective to light.http://forthrightpress.com
COLUMN: FIELD NOTES
Light in the dark
by Michael E. Brooks
tinyurl.com/oz7u2he
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
to my path" (Psalm 119:105 NKJV).
One of the very first things which I put on any packing
list for international travel is a flashlight and extra
batteries. Actually I normally pack at least 2 or 3
lights for my personal use and sometimes several others
as gifts.
I find a variety of sizes to be handy, and there is
always the possibility of loss or the need for a
loaner.
Light is essential. In many of the places to which I
travel there is no electricity and thus little
illumination after dark. Flashlights are invaluable.
Over the years there have been numerous incidents
involving lights, or their absence. There was the late
night when 15 or 20 of us walked three miles back from
our tent meeting with only one small flashlight to
share between us.
When some of the group left us to go down the hill on a
narrow path through the jungle to their village they
took the light, leaving us to travel in the dark on the
wider road where the moon and stars helped us to see at
least a little bit.
On another occasion we were trekking in the Himalayas
at night, using a Chinese-made gasoline lantern
(somewhat like the Coleman Lanterns familiar to campers
in the U.S.).
This one was faulty, and we could not keep it burning.
This trek was over narrow paths that frequently hugged
the sides of the mountains with sheer drop-offs.
Needless to say, we progressed quite slowly, and
arrived at our destination quite late.
One of my favorite memories is of wading through
Hezekiah's Tunnel in Jerusalem by the fading glimmer of
an old flashlight whose batteries were almost dead.
Even that faint glow helped to find the way.
The author of Psalm 119, describes the great worth of
God's word at length. Perhaps his best known expression
is that quoted above: "Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path."
Just as I go to great lengths to ensure that I will not
have to walk in the dark without illumination, so the
Psalmist depended upon God's laws to direct his feet.
Many have used the analogy, "life is a journey." The
apostle Paul frequently talked about "the way," meaning
Christian faith and the Christian life (Acts 24:14).
We are traveling through this world, seeking a final
destination which will reward us and bring us peace. We
need light for that journey.
God has provided light-his inspired word (2 Timothy
3:16-17). His word reveals himself to us, along with
his will for us. It tells us from whence we came, and
to where we are going. It identifies dangers, and
highlights rewards. To ensure success in our journey we
must walk in the light (Ephesians 5:8-14).
The study of the Bible is not a burden or some
difficult duty. It is as helpful and practical as
turning on a flashlight to find one's way. Walking
dangerous paths in the dark is foolish. Living in this
sinful world without God’s word is even more so.
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