Dr. Johnson. Org
You, O LORD,
keep my lamp burning
You,
O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. (Psalm
Light a candle
in a dark room and what a change it brings about. There’s always a sound of
relief that goes along with it. Somehow most of us are averse to darkness,
except of course when we retire in our beds at night. Even then some prefer to
use a night lamp or soft bulb.
However, here
the psalmist is speaking of another kind of darkness. Darkness that has been
brought about by problematic circumstances in his life. He definitely is
hinting at the attacks of enemies upon his life. David was constantly pursued
by King Saul who wanted him killed because he thought that David was a threat
to his position as king. So Saul hunted him and tried to kill him 21 times. But
he didn’t succeed.
Next enemy on
the line was David’s own son-Absalom. Here was an enemy who pained him all the
more. David was in great mental anguish because of his son’s ways of trying to
become the king and lamented greatly when Absalom was killed in the process.
David sang Psalm 18 when the Lord delivered him from all his enemies.
The enemy of
our soul & spirit- the devil also tries to bring darkness into our lives,
but Jesus who is the “light of the world” dispels this darkness by His
radiance.
Jesus keeps
our lamp burning- He keeps us alive as faithful witnesses for him, though often
the enemy tries to test our integrity by his deceitful ways.
Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal
and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the
full.” (John 10:10)
Trust in your
Good Shepherd; he will not let you down. He will dispel the darkness in your
life and make you walk in His light. He will keep your lamp burning as he kept David’s.
Be strong, be courageous, for the Lord God is your LIGHT.
E-mail me: j@ourchurch.com