Today’s Bible Reading:
Genesis 8:1-10:32; Matthew 4:12-25; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 1:20-23
Genesis 8:1-10:32; Matthew 4:12-25; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 1:20-23
I’ve read the account of the flood many, many times over the years. This morning I am struck by the realization that Noah and his family did not step foot out of the ark for 370 days! Can you imagine? I grumbled about a few weeks of stay at home orders, that still allowed me to go for walks and such. 370 days. Noah is amazing me today. Imagine how it must have felt to step out of the ark after 370 days into the light of day.
When I came to the New Testament reading the prophecy from Isaiah 9:2 quoted there pertaining to Jesus leapt off the page for me.
When I came to the New Testament reading the prophecy from Isaiah 9:2 quoted there pertaining to Jesus leapt off the page for me.
“In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
(Matthew 4:15-16, NLT)
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
(Matthew 4:15-16, NLT)
It leapt off the page because I have been preparing a lesson for my Tuesday night Bible study and we are reading John 8 this week where Jesus makes his second “I am” statement: I am the Light of the world.
My husband has been blessed with really good night vision. Me, not so much. But I try to humor him on occasion when we are camping and he wants to go walking at night…without a flashlight. I really don’t get it. The little light from my flashlight helps me feel safer from whatever may be lurking in the woods. It helps me feel safe as I try to keep from stumbling over rocks and sticks. One night we were walking along the dark road of the campground back to our site and I stumbled and fell over a speed bump. A speed bump that I knew was there. I have walked and biked and driven over that old speed bump for years and years. This time I fell and my husband conceded that perhaps it was time we walked with some light. That speed bump has served as a reminder ever since and we still laugh about that particular night.
Jesus is the Light of my world. In my darkest nights He has been there guiding me so I do not stumble and fall. He continually illuminates the truth for me, especially when I make the effort to sit at His feet and listen to His word. Jesus is the Light that shine in the darkness and so protects me any lurking dangers hiding out there. I love living in the Light that is Jesus.
Our reading in Psalm 4 ends this way:
My husband has been blessed with really good night vision. Me, not so much. But I try to humor him on occasion when we are camping and he wants to go walking at night…without a flashlight. I really don’t get it. The little light from my flashlight helps me feel safer from whatever may be lurking in the woods. It helps me feel safe as I try to keep from stumbling over rocks and sticks. One night we were walking along the dark road of the campground back to our site and I stumbled and fell over a speed bump. A speed bump that I knew was there. I have walked and biked and driven over that old speed bump for years and years. This time I fell and my husband conceded that perhaps it was time we walked with some light. That speed bump has served as a reminder ever since and we still laugh about that particular night.
Jesus is the Light of my world. In my darkest nights He has been there guiding me so I do not stumble and fall. He continually illuminates the truth for me, especially when I make the effort to sit at His feet and listen to His word. Jesus is the Light that shine in the darkness and so protects me any lurking dangers hiding out there. I love living in the Light that is Jesus.
Our reading in Psalm 4 ends this way:
Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?”
Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!
You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:6-8)
Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!
You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:6-8)
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD! In the wonderful, marvelous light of the LORD we can dwell in safety. Are you feeling it the way I am this morning?
And then comes Proverbs. And while it does not directly speak of light, this morning I do find these words of Wisdom’s very fitting, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you. (Proverbs 1:23) The Light of the world has come and when we believed in Him God poured out His Spirit upon us. We are lights in the world because the One who is THE Light of world dwells inside of us. So let’s take that light and shine it into the darkness so others may see.
And then comes Proverbs. And while it does not directly speak of light, this morning I do find these words of Wisdom’s very fitting, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you. (Proverbs 1:23) The Light of the world has come and when we believed in Him God poured out His Spirit upon us. We are lights in the world because the One who is THE Light of world dwells inside of us. So let’s take that light and shine it into the darkness so others may see.
May grace, peace, and mercy abound,
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