LAMP AND LIGHT
Opening Prayer
On this Sabbath Day, Lord God, lead me into true rest and worship.
Read PSALM 119:97–112
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
מ Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.[a]
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:112 Or decrees / for their enduring reward
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Why do you read the Bible? When have you had an encounter with God through the Bible? Pray for that experience today.
If you’re a long-time friend of Scripture Union, you know verse 105 by heart. It is symbolized in the lamp logo on our letterheads, brochures, and Bible-reading guides. Years ago, I saw this verse used by another ministry – ‘They stole our verse!’ I thought. This verse sums up what faithful Christians, including those at SU, have believed for centuries. The Bible is truly a lamp of truth and a light of guidance in this sin-darkened world. Despite its familiarity, whenever I read that verse today, I’m reminded how thankful I am for Scripture Union and, more importantly, for the difference the Bible has made in my life. What response does it trigger in you?
There’s another very Scripture-Union-esque verse in our reading today, verse 97. Reflecting on Scripture has been a best practice of faithful Christians through the ages and at SU, we’ve made it a feature of our Bible-reading method. I once wrote a short piece for Christianity Today against making ‘through the Bible in a year’ the church’s default Bible-reading method. Sure, it’s a very good thing to do periodically to keep the big picture in view, but ultimately, it’s not how much of the Bible we read each year that makes a difference, it’s how much we apply each day that counts. That’s why meditating on the Word is so valuable.
Sadly, research shows a significant drop in Bible reading over the past year, maybe because of the pandemic or because the divisiveness in our culture has crept into the church. It could be turned around if more people learned to approach reading the Bible not only as a daily discipline but also as a daily opportunity to experience the joy of meeting God ‘to the very end’ (vv. 111, 112). That perspective is the great gift SU has given me.
Apply
Do you think Christians overemphasize Bible study? How could you pass on your love for meeting God in his Word to others in your church?
Closing prayer
Thank you for your promise, Lord Jesus, that in you, I will never walk in darkness. Loving Father, thank you for your Word that provides me with everything I need in my journey of faith. Holy Spirit, I am grateful for the counsel you offer me each day.
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