A Lamp to Guide My Feet

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Psalm 119:105-106

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
      and a light for my path.
 ¹⁰⁶ I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again:
      I will obey your righteous regulations.

Thought for the Day

Lights have always played a dominate role in our celebrations and holidays. Whether it is the candles and cakes that mark our birthdays, the fireworks that declare our independence, or the twinkling lights that herald the coming of our Savior.  

Evergreen trees and fresh cut wreaths are lavishly adorned with lights as we prepare for the coming of Christmas.  Brightly colored lights fill the windows of the houses and shops in the surrounding towns and cities. The connection between our God and bright, decorative lights can best be seen in a story once passed down from generation to generation amongst God’s chosen people.

It was in the time that Syria ruled over the nation of Israel when King Antiochus Epiphanes declared that all those under his control would adopt the Greek lifestyle; worshipping their gods and living by their customs. One man, a Jewish shepherd named Judas Maccabeus, refused to do so. Judas and his brothers led the Israelites under Syria’s control to revolt. When their cries reached the heavens, God showered them with His grace and they were soon victorious and allowed to worship once again in Jerusalem.

          These events soon led to the reformation of the nation of Judah. As the people began to worship in Jerusalem once again they purified the Temple removing all traces of idolatry. One of the first things they restored was the large candelabrum or Menorah that was traditionally found in the court but had been removed by the Syrians. When the time came to relight the Perpetual Light, they  discovered much to their dismay that all but one container of holy oil had been defiled. This container or cruet contained only enough oil for one day. Not knowing what else to do, it was lit and the people began to pray for God to provide the needed oil. Miraculously, the oil burned for the full eight days that was required.

          Witnessing this miracle, Judas Maccabeus established an eight day festival of lights called Chanukah or “dedication”. The very name of the festival reflects that it wasn’t the battle that was important but the realization that God is always a few steps ahead of us in our journey illuminating our path and making safe the way of our journey.

Today's ADVENTure

Take a moment  at the end of your day and light a candle. As the flame sputters and flickers to gain life think for a moment on how our own spiritual journey is reflected in this. How starting out our faith is a flickering wavering thing and how each time our faith is rewarded it gains strength and energy to carry us through the trials of this world.