Monday, September 27, 2010

A Burning Light

Cause the lamps to burn continually. Leviticus 24:2

            A lamp is designed to give light.  Within the Holy Place of the tabernacle, where priests daily ministered, it was dark.  Heavy curtains hung on four sides, and various skins covered the top.  Light from the golden candlestick with its seven branches made it possible for the priests to see to minister.

            The lamp might have seemed rather unimportant.  The table of showbread boasted the “bread of the Presence.”  The altar of incense often smoked with clouds of priestly intercession, and was often sprinkled with the blood of atonement.  The altar and the table seemed to be the most important pieces.  But without the candlestick, no priest could minister.

            The lamp of God’s Word, the warmth of God’s spirit, must “burn continually.” Just as physical life is maintained by the “combustion” of food, so spiritual life must have its regular intake of food for burning.  It’s up to us to “cause the lamps to burn continually.”

--George E. Failing

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