The Road That Glows

The Old Testament uses two words for “road” or “path.” The first one is the Hebrew word derek, which is based upon the word for “foot” and means a road made by continual walking. It is used 709 times in the Old Testament. The other Hebrew word for “path” is orah, which also means road or path but has the meaning of a particular direction, as in the way of life, or the way of death. It is used 58 times in the Old Testament, primarily in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs. In those books it describes the choice of a particular way of life, or the direction of one’s life.

         In Proverbs 4:18 the word orah describes a road that glows, “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” The word “light” in that verse is the Hebrew word or that you learned yesterday. This verse says that the direction the righteous walk gets brighter and brighter with each step they take. More on that thought in a moment.

         Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. Jesus did not come to show you the way; He came to be the way. He did not come to teach you the truth; He is the truth. He did not come to help you with life; He came to be your life. And through faith in Him, He is your life, the truth, and the way to the Father. Every step you take in Him and with Him, He becomes brighter and brighter in you, with you, through you, as you, before the Father and the watching world around you.

         But taking a step in Jesus requires faith. The New Testament calls this walking by faith, “…for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7. When you walk by faith you hear Jesus and His invitation, “follow Me.” As you hear Him, faith is created in your heart and you take the first step toward His voice, and light shines for your next step similar to the way the headlights on your car shine on the highway. You can’t see the destination, but you can see enough to keep moving toward the destination.

         Now, back to the thought in the paragraph above on how the path gets brighter and brighter with each step you take. As God’s word is heard more and more, faith grows stronger and stronger, which shines brighter and brighter in you, with you, through you…you know the rest. The light and glory of Jesus Christ brightens your day, regardless of what is happening around you.

         Today, spend time in the word of God. Listen prayerfully and humbly as you read. Know that God’s word creates faith in your heart as you do. Your steps will shine with direction and purpose. When you do come to a fork in the road (temptation), and you will, quote your verse for the day and the light of the obedience of faith will guide you through the tempter’s voice and keep you on the path of the righteous. Hallelujah!!

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation

The concept of light is seen throughout the Scriptures in both a literal and figurative sense. The Bible states that God created light on the first day, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” Genesis 1:3. Some worship the sun, but God created it. And David sang to the LORD in Psalm 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” The Hebrew word for “light” in both of those references is or, which means light, day, dawn, bright, light of instruction, light of the face, and lightning. It is also used in Exodus 10:23 describing the “light” that was in the homes of the Israelites during the three days of darkness in Egypt during the ninth plague.

         When David sang to the LORD, calling Him his light and salvation, he was speaking of the powerful life-giving presence of God in his life. As you read the rest of Psalm 27 you hear him celebrate the confidence he had in God, the instruction he received from the Lord, the answers to prayer he had from God, and the unshakable hope he had because the LORD is his light and salvation.

         The Hebrew word for “salvation” is yeshuah, which means savior, deliverer, avenger. It is also the Hebrew name for Jesus. It was one of David’s favorite words to describe the LORD in the Psalms, which may have been why God said that he was a man after His own heart! Listen how he uses this word in a few of his songs, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock…the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior…” 2 Samuel 22:3. Again, “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” Psalm 25:5. And finally, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12.

         David found his identity and greatest strengths in the presence of the LORD. A thousand years before Jesus Christ, David sang about Him, looking forward and hoping in the day of His coming. The question is, do you? So many see their identity in the pain of condemnation and ridicule from others who know nothing but pain and blame. Hurt people, hurt people, even those closest to them. The image they see in the mirror is one of guilt and shame. All they can do is pass it on to others. But you have a choice as to which mirror you will look into for your identity. God has given you His word so that you can see what He sees. And He sees you in His Son, Jesus Christ; and so can you, if you are willing to look.

         Another major word in the Bible is the word “Behold!” It is always with an exclamation mark because it always comes as a welcomed surprise. “Behold!” is like a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder, “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5. “…and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.” Revelation 19:11 – 12.

         Today, look into the word of God and behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. You were created after His likeness. This is who God has called you to be like. He is your true identity and in Him you are loved, changed, and highly favored; with a future and great hope! Today you can sing like David, The Lord is my light and my salvation; Jesus Christ!

Light and Glory

One of the main words in the Bible is the word “glory.” The Hebrew word for “glory” is kabed, which has the meaning of being heavy in weight, of being great, of the reputation of a person, the name of a person in light of great deeds, of something great in beauty and strength. It is used of the visible manifestation of God in the Tabernacle and the Temple in stunning holiness and splendor.

The Old Testament speaks of the glory of man as fading but the glory of God as eternal. It is a word that describes God; He is glorious, and all that God does is glorious, “The heavens declare the glory of God, the sky above proclaim his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1; “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11. Glory is what you see when God reveals Himself in His word and work. Hallelujah!!!

The New Testament word for “glory” is the Greek word doxa, which is from a root word meaning good standing and good reputation. It also has the meaning of weight, as in the worth of something, like gold. In reference to gold, doxa, came to have the meaning of splendor, light, brilliance, and radiance; the essence of light. John’s testimony was, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

Paul talked about the difference between the glory of the ministry of condemnation in the Old Testament and the glory of the ministry of righteousness, which he said, “…far exceeded it in glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:9. In that passage, he said that Moses had to put a veil over his face to conceal the fading glory from his face after he had been in the presence of the LORD. It seems as though the Israelites in Moses’ day were more interested in how the glory was fading than the word of God that Moses was bringing to them from those face-to-face encounters with God.

He goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that “…we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” AMEN! This means that as you look into the word of God and see the Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit’s illumination of Him, you are transformed into His glorious image a little at a time. Rather than fading glory like Moses covered up, yours is growing in radiant splendor and is seen for what it is; the glory of the Lord! The light of the glory of Jesus Christ shines in you, with you, through you, as you, before the Father and the watching world around you; for His glory and your joy, which glorifies Him!

Today, take one of the verses above as yours; say it ten times; cover it up and say it ten more times by memory; pray it throughout the day (five times before lunch; five times before going to bed). Say it and pray it before your feet hit the floor in the morning. And don’t be surprised if people start to put their sunglasses on when you walk up! Hallelujah!

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

This is a question everyone faces early in life; who do you want to be when you grow up? Some do not believe they have a choice and so live their lives according to what someone else wants them to be. Sad. Everyone has a choice regardless of upbringing or environment. The choices are presented to you by God, and you get to choose one; you must choose one.

         If you grew up watching television in the early 1950s you may have chosen to be a cowboy like Roy Rogers, or a cowgirl like Dale Evans, or a doctor like Ben Casey, or a detective like Dick Tracy, or a farmer like Paul Martin (wife Ruth, son Timmy, dog Lassie). The television presented options (visions) for many children as they pictured themselves becoming like their heroes on TV. And as a child, you did not think in terms of “being,” but rather “doing” the activities you saw these individuals doing on TV. You would “play” that person you admired, with the same outfit, the same gestures, the same episodes you saw on TV. When Halloween came around, it was a no-brainer which costume you would have. The television gave you a vision.

         Jesus stepped into His world when He was born in Bethlehem to give us a vision of what we could to be when we grow up. His life revealed the life God created us to have; life with Him. Jesus said of His life, “…I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10. The word “abundantly” is the Greek word perisos, which means to have something considerable more than the norm, or even expected. In other words, the life that Jesus offers to you, which is His life, is so much more than you can possibly know or do or enjoy. It is unusual in the world, but normal to God. And He presents the life of His Son to you and for you to have.

         But offered does not automatically mean accepted. There have been many children that were offered the best life at home but never accepted it. There have been others that were given the worst at home but chose something better. When something is offered, a choice must still be made and can be. The life that Jesus offers, His life, is a vision of what you can be when you grow up. His actions are seen in the gospel accounts of His life, as well as the prophecies of His coming in the Old Testament. His actions are given meaning and interpreted in the New Testament letters. As the Father reveals the life of His Son Jesus to you, you are given a new option for life. The light of God’s word reveals the life Christ gave for you to receive and live for Him; life the way God created it to be lived; in Him, with Him, through Him, as Him, before Him and the watching world.

         Today, open God’s word and see Christ Jesus, the Lord. Every episode is about Him in some way. His life is the life God desires for you to have because His life is the only one overflowing with everything that is good, with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

         

Blinding Light or Revealing Light?

Light can be blinding, such as someone coming towards you with their high beam head lights on, or it can be revealing such as when you are on a dark country road and your high beam head lights are on. Blinding or revealing depends upon where the light is coming from. The light of God’s word will be revealing to you if you have God’s word in your heart, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:106.

         God’s word reveals the truth of who He is, of what His will is, how you can know Him, and join Him in what He is doing. But the light of God’s word only reveals from the inside out, from within you. As you receive God’s word, faith in what God has said is created and His light shines from you. The truth of who He is, of what His will is, of how you can know Him, and join Him in what He is doing is then revealed for you to see and know. As you begin moving in the direction that His light is leading, you experience His loving presence and begin learning of Him, of His will, and of what He is doing. Most of all, you can see and hear His invitation to join Him.

         Not everyone is interested. Jesus said, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” John 3:19 – 20. One of the things that Jesus is saying in those verses is that the darkness of sin deceives people to reject the light of God’s word in order to stay in their sins rather than to walk out into the light of the truth. Another word to describe walking away from the darkness and into the light of the truth is the word “repent.” Repentance is seeing the truth by the revealing light of God’s word and choosing to move away from the darkness and to walk in the light of the truth.

         As you receive more and more of God’s word, more truth is revealed of God and of His magnificent desire for you, which begins with you knowing Him. As you know the truth of who He is and His great love for you, you receive your true identity; from Him, in Him, with Him, and for Him. The mirror of His word reflects the light of the truth of who He is so that you can see yourself as He sees you, which is with Him, always. The deceiving darkness of the world, the flesh, and the devil will always be an option to lie to you and to blind you to the truth of your true identity in Christ. Don’t go there!

         Write Psalm 119:106 on an index card and tape it to the mirror you look at everyday as a reminder of the revealing truth from God’s word. As you receive God’s Word you will begin to see everything in the new light of who God is and His everlasting love for you. It is only in Him that your true self is seen.