The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Psalm 119:130.
Not everything heard enters; only what enters gives light. Yet not everything that enters gives light; only the word of God that enters does (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:12). Everything heard is not the word of God, no matter how much like it it might seem. That is the irony of so much content but little light.
God’s word that enters “giveth light.” The Hebrew word for light there is ‘owr, which not only means light but also to shine and to set on fire. In other words, the residency of His word not only illuminates, it also distinguishes the blazing carrier visibly. This fire not only illuminates a space and distinguishes the self, it also attracts amazement and dispels predators (Exodus 3:2-5; Acts 28:5). “…He LED them with a cloud, and all the night with a LIGHT of FIRE” (Psalm 78:14).
A word emanating from God carries the light-nature and light-energy of God. It gives light, illumination, direction, clarity in environment, assurance, certainty of path, dispelling of doubts (Proverbs 6:23; Psalm 119:105). The more of His word that enters, the more of His light there would be. However, the abundance of sermons does not necessarily amount to an abundance of God’s word or the entrance of it.
That something has been quoted from the Bible does not make it the word of God. Even Satan is a bible student, and often references the scriptures (Genesis 3:1; Matthew 4:5-7). That something is said in church does not make it the word of God. Demons also speak in church (Acts 16:16-18; 8:18-24; Luke 4:33-35). That it was said by a priest does not make it the word of God. After all, Peter was a priest, yet he once spoke for Satan (Matthew 16:22-23). That it was said by a priest, and is correct, does not even make it final. Sometimes a true word is still open to intercessory negotiations (1 Kings 21:27-29; 2 Kings 20:1-6; Genesis 18:23-26; Jonah 3:3-5, 10).
There is a difference between the word and the letters of the word. What gives light is the word, not the letters (2 Corinthians 3:6). The same scripture does not always carry the same meaning or force from every lip. There are light carriers too (Luke 4:16-22). Very well did the Jewish officers report, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). Let there be light. Amen.
From The Preacher’s diary,
September 26, 2023.
