THE WORD BRINGS ILLUMINATION FOR THE CHRISTIAN TO SEE
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“Also He said to them, ‘Is a lamp
brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lamp
stand?’”—Mark 4:21
In the passage of scripture for
today’s reading, Jesus had just taught and explained the Parable of the Sower
to His disciples. He stressed the
importance of God’s Word in our lives.
Just as a farmer can not have a harvest without planting seeds, we can
not bear fruit without putting God’s Word into our hearts. While still speaking about the importance of
God’s Word, Jesus said that a candle must be put into a candlestick to shine
its light.
The Psalmist wrote that God’s Word
would light up your path, “Your word is a
lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Without
the illumination of God’s Word, we are not able to see where we are going. Jesus taught that it is God’s Word that sheds
light on all of our situations and difficulties. He said what is the purpose of having a light
if it is not going to be used? Why would
anyone place a lamp under a bed or a basket to block the light? That does not make any sense. However, that is exactly what we often do
with the light God has given to us.
How many times have we neglected
meditating on God’s Word because of our busy schedules, and as a result we just
stumbled blindly though our day? The
influence of God’s Word in our lives is not a luxury we can do without. It is as essential as light in a dark
room. Light in the darkness enables us
to function as if it were day—as long as the light is in a prominent place.
Your light is not in a prominent
place if you are walking in darkness. Here
are some ways to check the validity of your light, and to know if you are
walking in darkness. Are you allowing an
ungodly person to influence your decision, or are you seeking godly wisdom from
those whose life exemplifies Christ? Do
your own self-interest and desires come before what you know to be what God’s
desires are? Does God have first place
in your life, or are you putting other’s wants, needs and interest first? God wants the body of Christ to mature and
grown up and break out of the cycle of darkness, and walk in the light as He is
in the light.
Your heart is the candlestick on
which you set the light of God’s Word.
As you mediate on it day and night, there is no circumstance or secret
that will not be clearly revealed to you through the light of the Word, “For there is nothing hidden which will not
be revealed, nor has anything been
kept secret but that it should come to light.
If any has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:22-23). You
will see where you are going and not stumble today if His Word is shining
brightly in your heart.
Prayer—Father
I ask you to reveal any hidden thing in my life that is in darkness. I desire to walk in the light as your
representative in the world. I purpose
to let my life shine, and I ask You to forgive me for allowing others to hide
and dim my light. I know that You will
help me shine brightly for You, in Jesus Name. Amen.
