or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand?
We have light within us. We are meant to be lights of the world (cf. Mat. 5:14). But does the light have its proper place within us? Is it able to make a difference in our lives? Can those around us see this light? Can we even see it ourselves? Or is it under a bushel basket?
The word of God is meant to be "a lamp for my feet, a light for my path" (cf. Psa. 119:105). But if it is covered it cannot illuminate. And then we begin to trip and stumble. When it is not veiled and we keep our eyes on it it can have a profound effect.
We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (cf. 1 Pet. 1:19).
Listen to the confidence this light can inspire. We don't create the light. We don't give it power. The only thing we need to do is to make sure we don't hinder it. We can't let ourselves cover it. We must not restrict or inhibit it. It is the nature of this light to shine. We can choose, if we wish, to dwell in darkness. We can continue to stumble and fall. But we are not meant to. It isn't who we are anymore. We are meant to be confident. Without the light we will stumble, but with it we can approach with absolute trust.
Without it we wonder...
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
...but with it we "approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust". The darkness allows duplicity. But in the light we are sincere. In the darkness we are afraid. In the light we are able not just to trust but to trust absolutely. We see him, though dimly (cf. 1 Cor. 13:12). We behold him, though not yet as he is (cf. 1 Joh. 3:2).. But it is enough because "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day" (cf. 2 Tim. 1:12).
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
We see enough to be convinced that he can bring the work he has begun in us to completion (cf. Phi. 1:6). We see enough to see that he is absolutely trustworthy. We see enough to have hope.
If we let it this light shine even a little it will make a big difference.
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you.
Like Moses, we just need to spend time before him and our faces begin to shine. We are transformed from flickering candles to blazing lights. Let us simply let this light do what it does within us. Let us make no effort to control it or to limit the love which is designed to flow through us.
Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.
He also told them, Take care what you hear.
If we long to see his face we will!
No comments:
Post a Comment