Your Word is a Lamp

Come out of her, my people

I have this beautiful picture reserved in my mind – In the wee hours of the early morning it was still dark outside. I took a peek out of the curtains and everything was as I thought it would be, dark. Then I happened to notice a small light coming from the sky. I assumed it was a star, but the light felt comforting like a big hug.

I actually vividly remember waking up at 5 am to get myself and the kids together for school. I tried to turn on a light and – nothing! No light! Our electric went out due to bad weather. I had to use the flashlight on my phone for guidance. When it was time to wake the kids up for school, I explained the situation to them and told them to follow me using my tiny flashlight as a guide. As I approached the dark bathroom I could only see darkness around us and a small dot of light from my phone giving off an illumination of small beams of light reflected in the bathroom mirror. I had a beautiful moment of standing there realizing how dark the world can feel at times, but then I was reminded that God is our guiding light through His word, His Spirit, and through other believers. I was reminded what darkness can feel like – it’s much easier to see with some light.

I believe the times we are living in are very dark – but thank God He still provides light in a dark place. I am also thankful for every believer holding a bright candle of light to be set apart from the crowd. This is how we recognize each other, this is also how we provide light for the world.  A little light goes a long way! 

I believe God is the light shining in us, but I also believe His Word and Spirit are the light that provides a map to Him.

Psalm 119:105 (NASB) ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

 You really should read Psalm 119 – it’s absolutely beautiful. This psalm plugs in the understanding of how His Word provides light and direction for our path.

For example:

How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
² How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
³ They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
⁴ You have ordained Your precepts,
That we should keep them diligently.
⁵ Oh that my ways may be established
To keep Your statutes!
⁶ Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Your commandments.
⁷ I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
⁸ I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not forsake me utterly!

¹⁷ Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.
¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
²⁰ My soul is crushed with longing
After Your ordinances at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed,
Who wander from Your commandments.
²² Take away reproach and contempt from me,
For I observe Your testimonies.
²³ Even though princes sit and talk against me,
Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
²⁴ Your testimonies also are my delight;
They are my counselors.

I pray, Father, You help every eye who reads this Psalm to understand the core and very essence of being free to live out the relationship we have with You Father and with Your Word – which can only be given to us by Your Spirit – because Your Spirit will always point us to the truth. In Your Name Yeshua – Amen.

As it gets darker, we are challenged with how close we are going to stay in God’s Word, for this is the light. When I look around I see an abundance of actions that do not align with God’s Word. I catch it in movies, t.v. shows, schools, work places, in public, and even in church.

As a parent I monitor what my kids watch, and movies or shows that seemed innocent became less than innocent when I could see teachings that were present that distracted my kids from God’s Word. As they grow, the pool of what they can watch becomes narrower. I see it in school (public or private) participating in holidays I do not see as biblical, and I have also seen an attitude of diversity in which some teach that all diversity is accepted or normal. At this point in life I see an overwhelming sense of inclusion and equity even if goes against God’s will. It’s scary to send the soul and minds of our children into a world that encourages them to have an accepting attitude of relationships that are defined outside of the context of our Father’s design.

In my work experiences, and others I have learned from, I have seen and heard of some unethical and unmoral practices that were disturbing. I think all proactive people want to make a living for themselves, but it’s very daunting to experience the road where your good intentions meets a boss or co-worker that confronts you with practices that are not in alignment with God’s will.

In public or society I see so much I want to change, but the question I always pause over is: Does the person I want to help actually want change? I think sometimes the answer is no. I see relationships, dress attire, language, and behaviors I do not support. I want to scream, “Your going the wrong way!” I learned not everyone wants to change or wants to be confronted because not everyone believes in the same things I believe in. And you better believe I have seen and heard unbiblical teachings and behaviors in church.

If you understand how I feel than maybe you understand the friction. The desire to want to continue to draw closer to God pulls you from the majority of accepted views in this world – it can feel quite lonely. Sometimes I feel like I do not fit in, maybe you feel the same way.

However, I am reminded that God calls us to be set apart. I love my Father more than man, but still sometimes this can be hard. I find if my actions are going to follow what He asks me to do, than that means I have to tell others, “No.” While I find freedom and joy in participating in the things He tells me to do, I find that the road gets narrower. I never feel like I am missing out on something, but I do find I am conflicted with the path I am on versus the norm I see. In my relationship with Yeshua, I find this life is a constant call to die to ourselves and pick up our cross and follow Him. And yes, I get it wrong sometimes. I have spent time wallowing in my mistakes, but I am learning to get up and turn back to Him as quickly as possible.

I am trying to encourage all my brothers and sisters to walk the path of set apart. Wherever you are, stand in what God has called you to do, but at the same time keep seeking Him so you can move closer to Him. I know every believer does not agree on everything, but as long as we are walking towards Him that should be enough to keep us in unity. We all have been proven to be right about somethings, but all have proven to wrong about somethings.

I would never ask anyone to follow me, but I would ask everyone to follow Yeshua – always dig deeper, look deeper because we are all shedding old behaviors and transforming our minds; so we have to be patient with each other. I am so overwhelmed with how patient our Father has been with me, it actually baffles my mind at times; so when He reveals something to me I feel a since of urgency to do better. When He shows me better, I try to do better. 

Following the Word of God from Genesis to Revelations will line our walk to look set apart. If I could make a few points it would be:

Revelation 18:4  (NASB)

⁴ I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;

1 Peter 1:15  (NASB)

¹³ Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, ¹⁵ but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”