Dr H Reflections

Spiritual facelift ∙∙

Spiritual facelift ∙∙

For as he thinks within himself, so he is. – Proverbs 23:7

2 Corinthians 3:18 So all of us with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon and psychologist, made a groundbreaking discovery. He found that altering a person’s appearance could profoundly transform their personality and life. This revelation, which he termed ‘Psycho-Cybernetics,’ became a cornerstone in the field of personal development. However, for others, there was no change at all. This intrigued Maltz, prompting further investigation.

Why do people seek facelifts? Often, they are dissatisfied with their appearance and feel dejected about themselves. They have what is now termed a “poor self-image.”

Maltz shifted his focus to the spiritual and psychological aspects of the individuals he treated. He came to understand that self-image is closely connected to self-worth. Maltz played a crucial role in popularizing the concept of “self-image,” emphasizing that our self-perception and thought patterns significantly impact our behavior. Our self-concept guides our mind, establishing targets, goals, and aspirations.

The term “cybernetics” originates from the Greek word kybernetes. Kybernetes comes from the Greek verb kybernao, which means to steer. Kybernetes refers to a helmsman, steersman, governor, pilot, or rudder. It refers to steering or guiding mechanisms. Maltz coined the term “Psycho-Cybernetics” to describe how one’s mind automatically pursues goals based on self-concept.

The conclusion is straightforward: changing your outward appearance does not automatically transform your self-image. Often, a psychological or spiritual facelift is frequently also required.

Dr. Maltz’s work in Psycho-Cybernetics was pivotal in launching the self-help movement, creating a new genre focused on personal development.

Although modern Psycho-Cybernetics was formulated in the 1950s and 1960s, it is not a recent discovery. Solomon understood this concept three millennia ago. He wrote about it in the Book of Proverbs circa 1000 BC.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

The Hebrew word translated as “thinks” is shaar, which means to arrange, similar to arranging scales of balance or thoughts (Ross). Shaar carries a sense of calculation; thus, it can be interpreted as “as he calculated in his soul.” This suggests that our inner thinking reveals our true self-identity. As Waltke observed, “Johns Hopkins noted that one’s ‘inscape’ determines their landscape.”

Many modern discoveries derived from experience, thought, imagination, and reflection are often rediscoveries of truths that the Father revealed thousands of years ago. Revelation frequently precedes and surpasses the findings of modern rationalism and empiricism. It is incredible to have a Father God who knows everything all the time.

REFLECT & PRAY

Our inner thinking reveals our true self-identity. As Stanley put it, “God is after transformed lives, not merely reformed ones.”

Father, I am acutely aware that my inner self is a feeble reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please encourage me to let the Holy Spirit transform me daily from one degree of glory to another.

INSIGHT

The Scriptures teach that our actions reflect our thoughts; we act out what we think. They provide guidance on transforming our inner selves. This transformation requires “personal training” in an entirely different sense. We invite the Holy Spirit to act as our personal trainer.

The Holy Spirit works in the lives of each child of the King, gradually transforming us from what we were to what we will become. This transformation is a lifelong process, not an instantaneous change. It necessitates spending significant time in God’s Word. “As we train our minds to focus on the person of Jesus, as we meditate on Him, the Spirit begins molding us into His image” (Stanley).

We see the Father’s glory through His Word. “The image of God that we see in the Word accurately reflects God, though we do not yet see God Himself. We see the Lord in the mirror of God’s Word, not ourselves. We experience gradual transformation. As we observe Christ’s glory, we advance in Christlikeness and reflect His glory, not in our faces but in our characters” (Constable).

Every day, we look into a mirror and see our faces. Paul teaches that this image changes over time to reflect the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. The more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word and contemplate His glory and the glory of His Son, the more Christlike we become.

The Father is an expert at performing spiritual transformations. He doesn’t need an MD; He has something far greater, a GOD “degree.”

The Greek word for “changed” is metamorphoo, from which we get the English word “metamorphosis.” Metamorphoo describes a transformation from the inside out, akin to how insects transform from larvae to pupae to adults.

2 Corinthians 3:18 “presents a truth so exciting that I marvel so many believers have missed it – or ignored it. You and I can share the image of Jesus Christ and go ‘from glory to glory’ through the ministry of the Spirit of God” (Wiersbe).

This transformation occurs in our minds, involving renewal, remodeling, and reconstruction.

Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

There is a natural principle at work. We begin to take on the characteristics of the people we spend time with.

Psalms 1:1-2

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

With whom or what do you spend most of your time? If you desire to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ, spend more time with Him in the Word. The Holy Spirit will handle the rest.

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Cancel culture ∙∙

Cancel culture ∙∙

“I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” – John 9:25

Isaiah 5:20-21

20 What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light, and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.

21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.

Cancel culture, also known as callout culture, involves publicly denouncing individuals or products considered to be at fault, aiming to damage their reputation and credibility.

Cancel culture operates on certain assumptions that can have significant consequences for individuals or products deemed at fault. It often categorizes people into two distinct groups: those considered ‘woke’ (morally progressive) and therefore good, and those not considered ‘woke,’ who are viewed as bad. This black-and-white perspective can come across as both arrogant and naïve, overlooking the complexity of individuals. It’s important to understand that individuals can evolve their opinions, perspectives, and ideologies as they gain new experiences, information, and insights.

While it is crucial to call out prejudice and bigotry, the definitions of these concepts can be highly subjective. Who decides what constitutes bigotry in our society today? Who determines which groups are favored and, thus, potential targets of bigotry and discrimination and which groups are not? These determinations often reflect the collective mindset of those canceling others. It begs the obligatory question: who controls the controllers?

Accountability for past actions is not just important; it’s essential. Yet, cancel culture frequently denies individuals the chance to take responsibility and make amends. Instead, the focus is on leveraging real or imagined incriminating evidence to cancel a person outright. Apologies are not accepted, and there is no room for reconciliation, redemption, or forgiveness. This approach ultimately stifles personal growth and transformation, leaving no pathway for individuals to recover their reputation and credibility. The seriousness of this issue cannot be overstated.

It brings to mind the oft-repeated phrase used by Shakespeare in his plays. “Off with his head” (Henry VI, Queen Margaret).

The sentiment was likely popularized and became part of modern English slang through the Queen of Hearts in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. The Queen, a vile monarch filled with blind fury, was quick to issue death sentences at the slightest provocation. She repeatedly commands “off with his head,” “her head,” or “their heads!”

Instead of simply seeking accountability, cancel culture has evolved into a tool for belittling, shaming, and insulting individuals. Those deemed unsuitable or troublesome are effectively ostracized from public discourse. Such audacity! While attempting to highlight actual or perceived bigotry, do the cancelers inadvertently reveal their own biases? Could they be bibliophobic or Christophobic?

What is the impact of cancel culture on public discourse and conflicting views? The emergence of cancel culture has fostered an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Opportunities for dissenting opinions, education, and unity are lost, creating a form of modern-day bullying. Ironically, this behavior resembles the bullying these individuals strive to eradicate. What’s really going on?

The Father’s absolutes are just that: always true and right, never varying, changing, or compromising. He provided them to serve as a moral compass.

Contemporary society has largely abandoned the concept of moral absolutes. People are absolutely sure that there are no absolutes, believing that whatever one thinks is right is right for them. The only certainty is uncertainty; the only thing that you know for sure is that you can’t know anything for sure.

The trouble is that we cannot live without absolutes. When we abandon the Father’s absolutes, we inevitably create our own. This phenomenon is nothing new and has been around for millennia.

Judges 21:25 In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.

REFLECT & PRAY

When the Word of God calls something evil, it is evil. When it labels something as bitter, no one can make it sweet. The Father is our absolute authority (Stanley).

Father, help me to embrace and consistently live by Your moral absolutes. Guide me to avoid rushing to judgment against those with whom I disagree.

INSIGHT

The Father’s perspective often contrasts sharply with those blinded in their moral judgment. Individuals suffering from moral blindness call evil as good and good as evil.

Isaiah 5:20-21

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.

A subtle interplay exists between self-deception and arrogance. When people reject the Father’s authority and absolute standards, they elevate themselves as the ultimate authority.

They redefine words and rules to suit their preferences. Sin is rationalized, and truth is replaced by error and deception. These new definitions of sin erode moral standards.

People use the Father’s vocabulary but not His dictionary (Wiersbe).

Psalms 12:2 People lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.

“People in any generation can senselessly and defiantly reject the idea that they are doing wrong because they have no moral anchor” (Gary V. Smith). Good things are reinterpreted as evil, while evil and immoral acts are twisted to appear good.

“Without an absolute standard of divine justice, false human reasoning and uncontrolled passion can rationalize and justify almost any act, particularly if the primary criterion is ‘Will it benefit me?’ When sweet and bitter, light and darkness, and good and evil are relative values based on wishes, whims, and selfish ends, righteousness, and justice do not exist” (Gary V. Smith).

In New Testament times, most Jewish leaders opposed the Lord Jesus Christ, firmly believing Him to be a sinner. In their view, He was canceled. When He healed a man born blind, instead of responding in faith to the miracle and worshiping Him, they called out the blind man and canceled him.

The blind man retorted, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).

In response, they threw him out and ostracized him from the synagogue. The Lord Jesus Christ found him and spoke with him.

John 9:39 Then Jesus said, I entered this world to render judgment – to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.

In modern terms, we would say the Lord Jesus Christ came to expose “wrong thinking.” He unveiled the masks of misjudgment, misperception, and misunderstanding. He judged righteously through the lens of reality and Truth, turning darkness into light (Isaiah 42:16). He encouraged people to recognize and embrace the good when they see it and reject what is paltry and evil.

“Those who admit that they do not see are given sight. But those who insist that they can see perfectly, without the Lord Jesus, are confirmed in their blindness” (William MacDonald).

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

11 For this reason, God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,

12 They will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

Wrong thinking is a downward, slippery slope leading to even more wrong thinking. The Father will send a powerful delusion, causing belief in ultimate falsehood from the enemy, prompting them to reject the one true God revealed through His Son, the Savior of the world (Fee).

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Adversity score ∙∙

Adversity score ∙∙

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. – Hebrews 12:1

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Don’t you realize that in a race, everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.

How significantly do hardship and adversity influence outcomes? What are some practical strategies for coping with adversity?

In May 2019, the College Board introduced a new factor for college admissions: the “Overall Disadvantage Level” or “Adversity Score” of students.

What is the SAT Adversity Score?

The SAT Adversity Score is a metric the College Board calculates to assess the level of disadvantages a student has encountered. This score ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating the least hardship and 0 representing the highest degree of adversity.

The rationale behind this score is that substantial differences in SAT scores among test-takers are not solely due to their abilities, knowledge, or intelligence. Instead, these scores are also influenced by each student’s advantages or disadvantages.

The goal is to create a more equitable evaluation process by incorporating the Adversity Score alongside SAT scores. For students who have grown up under challenging conditions, lower SAT scores might reflect these adversities rather than a lack of proficiency, aptitude, or problem-solving skills. Therefore, students who have overcome significant hardships should receive fair consideration in college admissions.

What are valid predictors of academic ability?

There are several, with leadership, character, and persistence topping the list. Interestingly, the academic success of Asian students appears less affected by their Adversity Scores or family economic status. Instead, their strong emphasis on scholarly effort and self-discipline is crucial to their achievements. On average, Asian students outperform white students on the SAT by 100 points and black students by 277 points.

In The Republic, Plato discusses the “Noble Lie.” This myth is told to the masses to maintain social stability and contentment with their societal roles.

The Noble Lie suggests that all children are equal, but Greek rulers believed some children were gold, others silver and iron. These metals determine a person’s station in life.

Ultimately, the Noble Lie is a deliberate falsehood perpetuated by the privileged elite to preserve social order and advance their agendas.

REFLECT & PRAY

What is the entrance requirement for heaven? There is only one: the blood of Christ. Adversity Scores do not play a role! It is objective and final.

Father, it is so easy to judge people and think less or more of them based on some arbitrary standard. Help me to remember that everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23).

INSIGHT

There is a vast difference in age and experience between a potential college student, a teenager, and a fully grown man in his 30s. Reflecting on the adversities faced by the Lord Jesus Christ and how He overcame them can be profoundly instructive. What disadvantages did He confront, and how did He respond?

During His time on earth, the Lord Jesus Christ endured significant adversity and lived a life of faith. He was born into humble circumstances and grew up in a working-class family, and His early years were shadowed by questions surrounding the legitimacy of His birth. Throughout His life, Jesus experienced rejection, betrayal, mockery, physical abuse, and, ultimately, crucifixion. These were not imagined hardships but very real and profound adversities.

If one were to calculate an Adversity Score for the Lord Jesus Christ, what would it be?

Isaiah 52:14 But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.

Isaiah 53:2-10

2 My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.

3 He was despised and rejected– a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.

10 But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated remarkable resilience and unwavering dedication in carrying out the will and purpose of the Father. His steadfast persistence and absolute commitment serve as an exemplary model for all of us to emulate and follow. “Outlook determines outcome, and attitude determines action” (Wiersbe).

Hebrews 12:1-3

1 Let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

“Perhaps you have seen the bumper sticker that reads: “When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade!” It is easier to smile at that statement than to practice it, but the basic philosophy is sound. In fact, it is biblical. Throughout the Bible are people who turned defeat into victory and trial into triumph. Instead of being victims, they became victors. . .. Or, to put it another way, there are four essentials for victory in trials: a joyful attitude, an understanding mind, a surrendered will, and a heart that wants to believe” (Wiersbe).

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There must be a better way ∙∙

There must be a better way ∙∙

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32

Matthew 26:52 All those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

In 2020, a series of extraordinary events unfolded, including the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, unusual weather phenomena, worldwide social upheaval, and a widespread push towards rectifying historical injustices. Unfortunately, the calls for justice and freedom often led to violent confrontations instead of peaceful resolutions. Riots, looting, and the destruction of private property and historical landmarks were widespread, frequently occurring without any sense of personal restraint.

In light of these tumultuous events, a period of introspection is called for. Edmund Burke was a revered British statesman, parliamentary orator, and political philosopher whose influence spanned from 1765 to around 1795. He was a classic political thinker. His intellectual legacy, intricately interwoven with a profound comprehension of philosophy and its pragmatic implications on civic and societal realms, is more relevant than ever. Reflect on the profound insights he left behind.

“He that sets his house on fire because his fingers are frostbitten can never be a fit instructor in the method of providing our habitations with a cheerful and salutary warmth.”

“Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites . . . in proportion as they are more disposed to listen to the counsels of the wise and good, in preference to the flattery of knaves. Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.”

“Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist.”

“It is a general popular error to imagine the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.”

“There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men.”

“The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.”

Edmund Burke’s words resonate through the annals of history, finding echoes in contemporary global affairs, notably within the American landscape of the 21st century. His sentiments were sparked by the turbulent events of the French Revolution, which took place from 1789 to 1799. He was particularly affected by the terrifying Reign of Terror, which occurred from September 5, 1793, to July 27, 1794. His thoughts reflect the ongoing fight for freedom and fairness. The French populace revolted against the exploitative and repressive values that had existed for centuries. The Revolutionary authorities, in their zeal, institutionalized a reign of terror. The French people destroyed the symbols of the monarchy and, ultimately, the monarchy itself. Those deemed guilty by the contemporary equivalent #MeToo movement of the day also lost their heads. This period, immortalized in historical records and artistic depictions, became known as “The Bloody Revolution.”

The aftermath brought forth the White Terror, a retaliatory wave of violence against supporters and participants of the Reign of Terror soon followed it. Violence begets violence.

Matthew 26:52 All those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

And so it was. All who took up the guillotine also perished by it.

There must be a better way.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Liberty does not exist in the absence of morality” (Edmund Burke).

Father, guide me and give me wisdom so that I may know when to make peace and when to make war.

INSIGHT

There are over 1100 prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the coming of the Messiah of Israel. Over 300 of them predict that He will come as the Prince of peace, die for the iniquity of people, offering redemption to all who receive it. The Messiah would be a Suffering Servant. Miracles, teaching, and peaceful confrontation would characterize His First Coming. He would frequently turn the other cheek. He did not come to reign but rather to die for the sins of the world and provide salvation.

On the other hand, over 800 prophecies describe a triumphant, mighty King leading a powerful celestial army, vanquishing adversaries, and establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.

When He returns, He will not turn the other cheek. He will wage war!

Revelation 19:11 I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True; in righteousness, he judges and makes war.

There is a time for peace and a time for war (Ecclesiastes 3:8).

How do the children of the King know which path to take?

The New Testament elucidates the paramount importance of peace and the role of peacemakers.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

That is our prime directive. However, only some people we wish to be at peace with will reciprocate and want to be at peace with us.

Romans 12:18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Living in peace with others is the goal. However, Paul qualifies this standard with the proviso that, if possible, we must do all we can. Peace and harmony with others may not always be achievable. Children of the King are not responsible for the reluctance and failure of others to make peace. But we should always attempt to do so.

Sometimes, war is necessary. The desire for peace is not peace at any price but peace that adheres to principle. “Christianity is not an easy-going tolerance which will accept anything and shut its eyes to everything” (Barclay).

Matthew 10:16: I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

This should leave us somewhat conflicted. In such moments, reliance on the Father’s guidance becomes imperative. The Father must show the children of the King how to act in every given situation. Often, the Scriptures necessitate such dependence to discern the appropriate course of action in every circumstance.

Proverbs 26:4-5

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him.

5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, less he be wise in his own eyes.

Only through the guidance in the direction of the Holy Spirit do we know which response to give.

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The fog of war ∙∙

The fog of war ∙∙

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalms 119:105

Psalms 119:130 The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

Psalms 18:28 For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.

1 John 1:5-10

5 God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;

7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

The phenomenon known as the fog of war has been extensively observed, analyzed, and documented in contemporary military conflicts. The fog of war represents the uncertainty faced by participants in warfare, symbolizing the complexities and uncertainties inherent in war. It is the personal uncertainty one suffers during an engagement, operation, or campaign. Once a battle begins, information can become confusing and even distorted.

In high-stress combat situations, all aspects of cognitive function are severely degraded. Basic cognitive functions like reaction time and alertness are notably hindered, as are more complex functions, including memory and logical reasoning. As cognitive abilities deteriorate and slow down, uncertainty and hesitation intensify, leading combatants to rely predominantly on instinct and prior training.

Notably, Navy SEAL training deliberately replicates the fog of war dynamics during Hell Week. These rigorous exercises simulate combat conditions by incorporating various stressors, including sleep deprivation, prolonged intense physical exertion, substantial physiological and psychological stress, and simulated combat scenarios.

Individuals who successfully navigate these challenges become candidates for further training to join the ranks of the Navy SEALs, the most elite military force on the planet.

The world we live in is a dark place. It mirrors a spiritual battleground cloaked in darkness, akin to a perpetual fog of war. The enemy and his minions are constantly probing and seeking advantage. Like it or not, we are at war. Picture yourself as a soldier dropped behind enemy lines. The enemy is all around and out to find and destroy you. As a child of the King, you are far from your true home in heaven.

To prevail in this spiritual conflict, we must implement effective strategies to counter the spiritual fog of war and emerge victorious in our battles.

REFLECT & PRAY

We have a choice: clarity of vision and focus or confusion and indecision.

Father I know what it is like to walk in the darkness. And thanks to You, I also know what it is like to walk in the light. Help me pursue and maintain fellowship with You as I walk with You in the light.

INSIGHT

If you grew up in an urban area, you know that there is always some light somewhere. Unless you’ve been in a cave or alone in the deep woods on a cloudy night, you may not have experienced truly dark nights away from city lights. Total darkness is indeed dark.

Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

In ancient times, without electric illumination, individuals carried small clay vessels filled with oil that provided a flickering light source. The light illuminated the path only one step ahead. They had little oil “night lights” to strap to their feet. A lamp to my feet can be translated as “a light that lights up the path I walk on,” “a light to shine on my path,” or “a light to shine in the place where I walk” (USB).

People could only see a few steps ahead. The rest of their route would be cloaked in darkness.

Life is a journey, and the Word of God provides guidance and wisdom to help us choose the right path.

We are to walk by faith in the light of God’s Word. We walk by faith when we follow the Word. Each act of obedience shows us the next step, and eventually, we arrive at the appointed destination. God’s Word is our guide. Obedience to the Word keeps us walking in the light (Wiersbe).

Managing the challenges of our dark world requires personal, practical, and continual dependence upon the Word of God.

The Father sent the light, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the darkness. He was life and light. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:4-5).

The Lord Jesus Christ elaborated.

John 8:12 Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.”

In order to navigate our way through the darkness of this present evil age, we follow the Light of the Word. “Jesus professed to be not only the inexhaustible source of spiritual nourishment, but he also was the genuine light by which truth and falsehood could be distinguished and by which direction could be established” (EBC).

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