To give Light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Luke 1:79 NKJV
I felt myself slipping into depression. Sadness moved into my heart and positioned itself to stay. Grieving for my Country, her people and our future is overwhelming for a someone who likes to fix things.
In quiet time, I heard my Friend say to me,
“Peering too long into the darkness causes you to lose your Light.”
This truth pulled me back from the edge of the pit saving my spirit, and bringing hope back into my soul.
I pray these verses brighten your day as we walk in the His Light together.
Denise
“To give Light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. To guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:79 NKJV
“Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed…upon them a Light has shined.” Isaiah 9:1-2 NKJV
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I AM the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV
“Now the children of Israel moved on…”Numbers 21:10
Legend has it when God brought Moses to the top of Mt. Nebo, located in the Southern desert, he was able to see all the wayto the white cap top of Mount Herman in the north.
I wondered as Joshua traveled through the desert, when he looked to the north, did he catch a glimmer of the white snow on top of Mount Herman encouraging him to continue his journey forward?
Last night stepping into my closet, the laundry basket overflowed again with the day’s laundry, I questioned myself how does one family use all these clothes? As I sorted between the darks and lights, I was thinking on the word “whiteness” for today. Asking the Lord, “whiteness”, what does that mean to me? Why did Joshua need to have victory overwhiteness?”
I heard the soft voice say, “Why not whiteness, you spend your whole day sorting through darkness and the light.”
Like Joshua, I too have to decide daily, do I believe in, trust in, and look to the Truth, the purity, the whiteness of God’s Word and promises, or are my eyes clouded by what I see in my daily world preventing me from moving forward, walking by sight and not faith.
Lord, thank You for Your understanding of the battle word of whiteness. May I forever remember Jesus is the True Lightwho guides my way. May I never forget the price He paid, for “He was clothed with the robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” Rev. 19:13 NKJV
Your Word empowers me to be victorious over the king of Libnah by remembering I am “…clothed in fine linen, white and clean…” because He paid for it with His Love. Revelations 19:14 NKJV
“When the LORD your God brings you into the landwhich you go to possess…because He loves you.”Deuteronomy 7:1-7 NKJV
Mount Herman is located on Israel’s farthest northern border. Jesus and his disciples would have walked from Caesarea Philippi here for what many believe is the location of the Mount of Transfiguration. I love how Scriptures gives us this little detail of the walking distance, “Now after six days Jesus…led them up on a high mountain…His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” Matthew 17:1–2 NKJV
Mount Herman fascinates and stirs my heart. While sailing the Jesus Boat on the Sea of Galilee, a sparkle of sunlight caught my eye causing me to look up. There in the distance, I could see what appeared to be snow. Peering through the haze over the water, my eyes could make out what looked like a snow top mountain. Yes, it was Mount Herman, and each time we have returned its majestic whiteness never disappoints this pilgrim’s eye and heart. I can’t help thinking, Joshua and King David might have felt the same way too.
Thank you, fellow sojourners.. May you find safety and good health as we travel together following Jesus who loved us from the beginning.
Why the nine candles? Each candle represents a miracle of God. When the Temple was reclaimed there was only enough oil to light the candlesticks on (the Menorah) for one day. Through God’s gracious hand the oil last nine days.
My heart delights to see the oilof the nine found in Nine Gifts of the Spirit the Apostle Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 12:10 & 11 NKJV
“Now concerning spiritual gifts.. the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
The word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge…to another faith… to another gifts of healings…to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He Will’s.”
May the nine lights of Hanukkah cause us to remember the miracle of oil in the nine gifts of the Spirit residing in each as He wills in the second light of Hanukkah this day.
Today begins the lighting of the first of nine candles celebrating Hanukkah.
Thinking on how this applies to my life as a Christian it occured to me the miracle of the light that shines in me because of the Holy Spirit (the oil) I can partake of Hanukkah in the spiritual by sharing the Light.
A word of encouragement to a co-worker who has lost hope in their situation. A prayer with a friend fighting a battle of sickness. A kind word of caring to a neighbor who is experiencing their first Christmas after the loss of a spouse or a child.
Surely in prayer and asking, the Father will light a new candle every day and cause His light to shine in darkness.
Celebrating and lighting the first candle of Hanukkah – Day One.
“Let your light so shine…and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NKJV
“For indeed I AM for you, and I will turn to you…I will make you inhabited as in former times and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I AM the LORD.” Ezekiel 36:9-11 NKJV
Having come through a long season of waiting…my heart now sees.
“Waiting on daylight, morning’s break of day. Calling all creation, Rejoice! Praise His Holy Name!
Heavens declare Your beauty, the Tabernacle of the Son. Come Oh Holy Spirit, let Your will on Earth be done.”
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork…In them He set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber.” Psalm 19:1 & 4 NJKV
There’s a significant difference between the place of in the middle and of caught in between.
One is the season of hope and waiting and the other of seeking the answer to the question yet unseen.
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV
“But the just shall live by his faith,” Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV
This blog is a Christian perspective on the Old Testament and Current Events from Dr. Claude Mariottini, Professor of Old Testament at Northern Baptist Seminary.
