"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." -Psalm 119:105
It is interesting that the Word of God is compared to a lamp. It is quite obvious that even a small flame shines the brightest in the darkest time of the night. It is living and active as well!
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." -Hebrews 4:12
Psalms and Wisdom Literature: Psalm 19
The Law of the Lord is Perfect
Once again, David was so graphic in his descriptions on the glory and greatness of God. I imagine myself in the same spot where David was while looking at the sun. He likened the rising of the sun to a groom who prepares to leave his chamber and runs its course with joy.
Then, David focused on God's Word. He described how valuable the Word of God is - perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, to be desired more than gold, and sweeter than honey. He also mentioned the benefits of obeying God through His Word - he is warned, and a great reward is waiting for him.
Lastly, David uttered these words unto the Lord:
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
Pentateuch and History of Israel: Genesis 19
God Rescues Lot | God Destroys Sodom
This described both the greatness of the goodness of God, and the severity of the wrath of God at the same time. We saw in the story how great is God's grace for the righteous (His child). Before God poured out His wrath on a very wicked nation, He waited for Lot to settle first and be safe. In the story, we could not compare the severity of His wrath to any other else. The whole region was destroyed by fire and brimstone, to the extent of pulverizing it so that nothing else was left from it - up to this date. This story also reminded us not to look back into our sinfulness when God has already given you the grace for freedom from sin, as to what had happened to Lot's wife who became a pillar of salt after looking back into Sodom with an unrepentant heart.
Lot and His Daughters
Lot had committed a sin of incest with his two daughters, that was when he was made drunk by them. Later, these two gave birth to Moab (which means "from father") who became the father of the Moabites, and Ben-ammi (which means "son of my people") who became the father of the Ammonites. It must be noticed that there were times that these nations, the Moabites and the Ammonites, were hostile against the Israelites later on.
Chronicles and Prophets: 1 Chronicles 21:18–22:19
David Builds an Altar | David Prepares for Temple Building | Solomon Charged to Build the Temple
Remember when 70,000 men died because of a pestilence that God sent to Israel? It was because of the sin of David when he made a census of the whole nation - a sin of pride in his heart. Yet, it is after he repented (and the calamity was stopped) that David said these words when ordered to build an altar in a field where Ornan the Jebusite owned:
"No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
It is also interesting that at this same site will the Temple of the Lord be built by Solomon. David instructed Solomon to be faithful to the Lord. At the same time, David prepared the materials needed for the Temple of the Lord.
“Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as he has spoken concerning you. Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed."
Gospels and Epistles: Luke 12:13–48
The Parable of the Rich Fool | Do Not Be Anxious | You Must Be Ready
Jesus was teaching us to focus on Him and His Kingdom more than the earthly pleasures and riches. From the Parable of the Rich Fool to the teachings about how God blessed the birds with food and the grass with "clothes" (and not even Solomon had worn such beauty), Jesus was teaching to look onto the life in eternity. Lastly, we were being instructed to be ready when that day comes when Jesus would come back again.
"Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
"Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more."
© 2014 Erickson Ibana
Image can be found at http://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2010/07/do-not-be-anxious-matthew-625-34/
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