The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life, searching the innermost parts.
Proverbs 20:27 (NJKV)
As we continue our study in Proverbs, do you see how the Spirit inspired Solomon? He conveyed such timeless, wise thoughts. Sometimes they almost seem comical in their truth, but at other times, they are frighteningly real.
One of these examples you may recall from several weeks back – “We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” Proverbs 16:33.
That simply means that whether or not we believe in God, His plans are not at the mercy of mankind.
I wanted to give an example of the passages that we have been discovering in our study of Proverbs, because we have some new readers. Hopefully, that will entice you to go back and catch up with the series.
But moving on to today’s devotion, we are going to talk about secrets and light.
Our key verse above will help you find your way out of the cage of secret keeping or sinful behaviors that keep a distance between yourself and the Holy Spirit. Before you even read the next line, though, be assured, if you have been born again, and you know that you have, you cannot lose your salvation. John 10 There are resources below that will help answer that question.
But look at the key verse at the top. We often see God’s metaphorical lamp (God’s Word) as a fatherly flashlight that helps us find our way in the dark (the sinful world).
But that isn’t the concept in this scripture. Not like the more familiar passage in Psalm 119:105. You know-
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
Psalm 119 :105 actually is about God lighting our way in the dark world of sinful pitfalls. But the key verse today is about shining a light on our human spirit. For a believer our secrets and sins are revealed so that we can see ourselves. We can’t confess our sinful deeds, motives and thoughts until we face them. And it takes great courage sometimes to do all of that.
Many times, we have to face others that we have harmed and ask forgiveness. It can be very costly to do that. But it is often required. Now there are times when you cannot reach out for safety reasons or practical reasons. Only you and God know when it will be right. But nothing can keep you from confessing your sin to your Savior. And nothing will prevent His loving restoration when you truly repent.
Let’s simplify: Proverbs 20:27 is the picture of the Spirit of God looking intently at something He already knows. But He is helping us look at our motives. He wants us to see our hearts. Most of us want to avoid that, Lamp. We much prefer the Lamp unto our feet, don’t we? We want to feel safe, not exposed.
You know, often, it can be easy to deceive ourselves about sin and secrets. We can be cowardly when it comes to facing wickedness in our lives.
Jesus told Nicodemus,
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”
John 3:19-20 (NKJV)
This buildup of darkness and compromise can help us push back against the Spirit living in us. The result can leave us decimated spiritually. More than that, it can cause dishonor to the Savior whom we should love and adore.
Look at what the Lamp of God is designed to do with a life-changing purpose.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
That is the depth of God’s mercy for you, dear readers. His Word, a Lamp that guides your footsteps, also shines in your hearts. God knows the intent of every soul and loves you enough to bring glory to His great name and honor His Son, Jesus, for His sacrifice at Calvary and give unending love to people like us.
Finally, here is the prayer that today’s scriptures should elicit from you.
Search me, O God, and know my heart.
Try me and know my anxieties.
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJV)
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New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Resources
once saved, always saved gotquestions.org
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 