Dark Lamps

Meditations on Isa. 50:10

In Christ's parable of the ten virgins, all were eagerly awaiting the return of the Bridegroom; all had lamps, but not all had light.
"They that were foolish took their lamps [Bibles], and took no oil with them." Mat. 25:3 (Cf. Ps. 119:105)
"Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?" Isa. 50:10
Do you follow the teachings of the Word but lack its spirit? What is the solution?
"...let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God." Isa. 50:10
"...and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer. 23:4
Do we trust in this name, distrusting our own efforts to obey, and allowing Him to become our righteousness? Do we allow Him, by His Spirit, to put His law (the transcript of His character), not just in the outer court of our heart, but right into the most sacred place in our heart (thoughts/feelings)? Only in this way can we truly know righteousness. (Isa. 51:7; Psa. 37:31; Eze. 36:26; 2 Cor. 4:6, 7)
Photo credit below
"The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit’s working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. This class are represented also by the stony-ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit works upon man’s heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class represented by the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 411, emphasis supplied.
"Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let Him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God." Isaiah 50:10, emphasis supplied.

Let's look away from self to Jesus, and live, filled with His light!
"That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:29-30.  
"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness." John 12:46
Photo credit: "DiwaliOilLampCrop" by Arne Hückelheim - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DiwaliOilLampCrop.JPG#/media/File:DiwaliOilLampCrop.JPG

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Hand of Christ

Image
Behold the sea of starlight broad,     Beyond our highest thought. Behold the mighty hand of God     Its length and breadth allot. Look now! That hand scoops up the dust     And shapes a masterpiece, As angels watch with voices hushed     Each lineament released. Behold again, this mighty hand     Outstretched to set them free Who years had slaved in Egypt’s land,     But now salvation see. Then watch that hand appear as flame,     Engraving in the stone The law expressing His own name     And timeless as His throne. But what is this? A tiny hand     'Round mother’s finger wrapped! Oh Earth, why would a love so grand     Your darkest town attract? Young hands are bearing water, wood,     The hammer, and the saw, Rejoicing still in servanthood     As when they traced th...
Read more

Witness

Image
In the palace of the high priest stands a Captive, Bound behind His back the kindest hands to live. Frenzied priests are searching madly for a witness To condemn the One who's healed all kinds of sickness. Those arise and testify who do not know Him, Bear false witness, with conclusiveness but dim. One by one each testimony of what He said Makes it clear a faithful witness now is needed. Oh disciple, rise and testify for Jesus! You who know the One who pledged to never leave us, Why sit silent in the crowd of unbelievers? Light of Truth will...
Read more

Genesis 24 - A Study on Prayer

Image
Artist Unknown Genesis chapter 24, the story of Abraham's servant Eliezar finding a wife for Isaac, is laced with a rich study on prayer. Faith in the Promise Gen. 24:7—Abraham recounts God's sure promise  and assures Eliezar that he would have success in his journey, evidencing a rock-solid faith . Faith in God's promise without a shred of doubt is the basis of true prayer. See Heb. 11:6. Pray Before Work Gen. 24:12— Before beginning his work, the faithful servant prays. "Every morning take time to begin your work with prayer. Do not think this wasted time; it is time that will live through eternal ages. By this means success and spiritual victory will be brought in. The machinery will respond to the touch of the Master’s hand. God’s blessing is certainly worth asking for, and the work cannot be done aright unless the beginning is right. The hands of every worker must be strengthened, his heart must be purified, before the Lord can use him effectively....
Read more