Notes of Faith May 22, 2025
Scepter, Lamp, Mirror, and Breeze
Lord, keep my lamp burning…. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 18:28; 119:105, NIV
John Blanchard read this intriguing quote from Reformer John Calvin: “The Bible is the scepter by which the heavenly King rules His people.” Blanchard agreed, but he added: “This does not mean that we are to look upon it as a rod of iron. Nor, on the other hand, is it to be treated trivially as some kind of religious toy, to be used for our spiritual entertainment. Instead, it is meant to be a constant means of enlightenment, enrichment, and encouragement, its dynamic influence bringing a deepening joy into our daily lives.”
How odd that the practice of Bible reading sometimes feels dull or dutiful. Let’s shake ourselves free from the legalism of monotonous Bible reading and learn the life-giving fascination of abiding in its words. Make up your mind to read the Bible with fresh prayers for insight and with fresh perspective. Make it a joyful experience. Try some new methods. Use your pencil or pen. Ask God to make His Word to you as a golden scepter, a living book, a blazing fire, a heavenly breeze, a revealing mirror, a nourishing meal, and a shining lamp.
[The Bible is] the book I live with, the book I live by, the book I want to die by.
N. T. Wright
God is at work within me as I pray that He is in you. I am drawn closer day by day. He calls me to His Word to know Him and live according to what He commands. We do have trouble in this world, but a day is coming when God will bring more glory to us than we can now understand. When sin does not exist we will be holy. Do you understand what it means to be holy? Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Pastor Dale