Sunday, August 20, 2017

The Beautiful Lamp

UV 2752/10000 The Beautiful Lamp
Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.
Leviticus 24 v 2
Believers in Jesus are to be like a beautiful lamp that burns continually. The beauty lies not in its external ornate features but in the content of the oil that fuels the lamp The oil that fuels this lamp is like pure virgin olive oil that is obtained by crushing, beating and draining olives. Through all our experiences of the Lord’s mercy, grace and power and by studying and following the life and teachings of Jesus, we shed the light of His truth in this dark world. We are the lamp that turns the world from darkness to light, from being governed by the power of satan to the power of God, the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, from death to eternal life that men may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Jesus.
It is a command to keep ourselves well stocked with pure olive oil for the lamp of life. The sparks of love, integrity, faith and excellence that we have displayed this far should be fanned into full flame as we witness for Christ. We are to be like the five wise maidens who stayed awake and trimmed their lamps and kept the wicks moist with oil and burning. We are not to be caught unawares when the Eternal Bridegroom, the Son of the Landlord of the universe, the Crown Prince of heaven arrives after the midnight hour. Our faith, our intake of the Word of God, our fellowship or communication with the Holy Spirit should never be interrupted by sin, doubt, complacency or backsliding. Like the wick in a lamp sucks the pure olive oil by capillary action or suction power, we need to suck the pure and unadulterated wisdom, knowledge and understanding from the Word.
The lamp in the Tabernacle of Israel was never extinguished but was kept burning through the night. Likewise, the anointing of the Holy Spirit should keep us burning all through our lives, through changes in circumstances, through difficulties, crisis and challenges. Sometimes, we endure crushing situations, situations when we are buffeted or beaten by hard blows of seeming misfortune. It is intended to crush, beat and drain the pure olive oil of faith, love and hope in our lives. We should not resent these events but welcome these as part of the process to refine, prune, perfect us, to build patience in us so that we will endure till our rendezvous with Jesus. We are to shine forth for the glory of God, to manifest the greatness of the Lord with full flame, day and night, all of our lives.

Prateep V Philip

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