The Lamp Of Life

The Apostle Peter exhorts us to read and heed God’s words so that we keep from tipping and falling off the path, and towards the dangers of the dark. 2 Peter 1:19 says “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, 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.”

You know, we have to plug in a nightlight or turn on a flashlight in order for them to work. In much the same way, we have to plug into the bible so that it can illuminate our lives and guide us through the darkness of life. Paraphrasing the psalmist, he says to us, “Turn on God’s light, and ride down the path God’s given for you.” Let’s turn to VV 106-108.

FOLLOWING THE LIGHTED PATH (VV.106-108)

The second line of verse 107 sums-up this section nicely. God is saying to us that our lives are preserved when we follow the lighted path. Still, how to stay on this lighted path? The answer resides in the question. We abide and go where the light shines. We do this through our worship and praise, and especially by devoting ourselves to the daily reading, studying, and meditating upon God’s daily.

You know, it is not enough for any of us — both me and you — to hear God’s Holy Word only on Sundays, through song, liturgy, and sermon. Sunday worship is good for us, and it sustains us for a while. Truthfully, we get out of worship, what we put into it. When we worship with truth and spirit; and joy and praise and celebration; and with attentive hearing and then diligently doing, then we’ll get those things back too. However, if we only come and mildly participate, then we’re already in danger straying from the path, where danger lurks.

Sunday worship keeps us alive, but alone, it’s not enough to help us thrive. To move beyond a state of normal, American life, and towards thriving, God says, “Travel in the brightness of my light, by daily staying in Word. Let’s go back to this section and look at V106.

Notice how V106 says, “I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.” As Lutherans, many of us took this oath on our confirmation day. No matter if Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Baptist or some other Christian persuasion, when we say to God that we’re going to live according to his ways, then we need to be true to our word, and do so accordingly, and not according the ways of our comfort.

James 5:12 says, “above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.” Martin Luther would implore us — dare I even say, command us — to daily read, study, and meditate God’s word, and worship him in song, psalm, and praise through music, poetry and other avenues.

Let me encourage you, as those privileged enough to worship in the tradition in the mold of the first reformer, be like Martin Luther. Give God your all by daily traveling in the light of God. Luther walked boldly down the path God laid out form him by shining the light of Jesus in front of him at all times. Darkness was all around him, and tried to its hardest to coerce him off from the path.