'we have ... a lamp shining in a dark place' - 2 Peter 1:19
Our text for 2003
'we have... a lamp shining in a dark place'
The new image of the Lighthouse which we are using this month will be with us throughout the year. It portrays the meaning of the text from 2 Peter 1:19: And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
The Lighthouse is well known to all of us in the British Isles. We can never be
that far from the coast. Treacherous seas with the hazards of sands and rocks are a danger to ships at all times. Particularly at night and in rough weather the Lighthouse warns, indicates the way, and keeps travellers safe.
The Bible is like the Lighthouse. In the darkness of this world with all its sin, ignorance and rebellion, it shines a light to (a) warn of danger, (b) show the way, and (c) keep us safe until we reach our heavenly destination.
Of course, the traveller must heed or pay attention (ESV). We must read the word and attend to the preaching. We must act according to what we see. It is no good noticing the warning and indication of the Lighthouse and then just going on in the same disastrous direction as we would without the word.
Later this year we shall be looking together at the Ten Commandments, DV. In those laws, as elsewhere, the word clearly acts as a Lighthouse. How foolish we are if we ignore the message. We ought to love the word and the commandments and the prophecies. Here is a suggested new year resolution: to really pay attention to the word this year.
As the ESV renders it: we have... a lamp shining in a dark place. This world is a dark place. What a privilege that we a have a lamp to shine on our way.
