In Psalm 119, David communicates his adoration for God as well as God’s Word. He employs several literary devices for his ‘Ode to God’s Word’ including acrostics, similes and metaphors. What we might miss is the fact that David’s pretty actually underscored God’s intent in offering The ‘Book of the Law’. Today’s Holy Nougat offers us a few glimpses.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Keep It Close

One of the descriptors used by David was of God’s Word being a lamp and light for the journey. For some of us, this may seem a bit far fetched. But as a Jamaican , I experienced the reality of Black Outs, due to scheduled work, malfunctioning equipment or unpaid/late bills. During the day, it was a nuisance, but come night fall … especially if one needed the use of the privy (bathroom), whether indoors or outside. The inability to see much in the dark was real, and even when we thought we knew where everything was located, it was possible to bump into things without light.

Hence, every Jamaican home (at least the middle and lower income classes) boasted its own ‘Home Sweet Home’ shade, ‘Tilly lamp’ or ‘kitchen bitch’. We often had a ready supply of matches, candles and kerosene oil to ensure clarity of passage during a Black Out. No, I’m not speaking of fancy votive candles of today, these were plain white service candles, a favorite at Carol Services, night church. For, though one could only see as far as the reach of the candle’s flame and the glow from our neighbor’s candle when exiting services.

The instruction to Joshua came at point when Joshua was at a crossroads in his life – spiritually, emotionally and professionally. Moses has been left on the top of the mountain for his final encounter with God, and as one of the only two remaining people who began the Forty-year Journey to the Land of God’s Promise, He needed to discern the way. Moses’ mantle had been passed to him and the weight of the responsibility rested heavily on him. As a God-Seeker Joshua knew that the way existed, he simply needed illumination for the journey.

Imagine his relief upon receiving instructions to find his way by the Light of God’s Word. No, it’s not written in so many words, but our Nougat indicates that Joshua should meditate on the Book of the Law daily. It was as though God was saying to Joshua ‘My Word is the Lamp to your feet and the Light for your path (see Psalm 119:105). Should we have/read the remainder of Joshua, we will realize that in keeping God’s Word close, Joshua found his way. He led the Children of Israel into the Land of God’s Promise.

When we’re faced with partial or short term Black Outs in our personal, professional or spiritual lives, we will need illumination. In such situations thankfully, we don’t have to rely on candlelight or the light from a Tilly lamp. God’s Word is available to us all until the Day of His return. For us in Whom God’s Spirit dwells, we have ready access to God’s Word, Who intercedes for us. We study the written Word as confirmation and for edification.

Siblings, when we come together and allow that Christ-light to shine forth, our combined glow can even direct one who is seeking God to find the Way. Let’s meditate on the Word of God even as we allow God’s Word to shine forth from us.

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May all we seek be found in Christ