We Have the Word

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

2nd Peter 1:19: Moreover, we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. You do well if you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

I went on a day "hike" with members of a former congregation I served. The hike was walking up to a mountain peak about 15,000 feet in elevation. We left the trail head at about 6:30 in the morning, just as dawn was breaking. It was very murky. I could see where I was going, yet barely. I didn't make it to the top. I got to the tree line, saw the sharp drop offs away from the trail, and froze. I sat for a while as the day progressed. Other hikers went up past me. After a while, I decided to head back down and wait for my friends at the SUV. It's about three in the afternoon. I went down the trail and got the spot where the trail turned 90 degrees. I went past that spot while it was still dawn on the way up. I didn't recognize the spot in the full day light. I panicked. I thought that I was lost on this mountain. In my panic, I chose to go back up to where I was. It was a bad idea. Then some hikers who passed me going up were coming down. I asked, "Am I going the right way?" They said, "Yes, you are." Then they passed me and I watch where they were going. They made the turn I didn't see. Relief! I followed them, made the turn, and headed to the SUV.

The moral of the story? We think we can "see" where we're going in life. We think we have it figured out. We're really seeing things dimly. We aren't seeing life fully. That is what sin does to us. And when the Gospel of Jesus lights up our lives, we see life to the full. We know this for certain because we have the Word of God who lights our way and illumines our path with His love. So pay attention to God's Word, read it, learn from it, and make it a full part of your life. Let's pray.

Father, through Your Word lead us through life and light our paths with Your love and grace. Lead us to Jesus through Your Word who gave Himself for us. Lead us to life with You because of Jesus. We pray this in Jesus' name. And all God's children say...