3.30.20
Jimmy Gilfilen
Isaiah 2:1-5
Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Many things in life are “easier said than done.” On paper, winning an Olympic medal in sprinting is easy: run faster than everyone else. However, we know that winning a gold medal is anything but easy. It is the result of a God given ability that has been fostered over a lifetime of training that culminates in a single, ten second race. It is easy to say, “run faster,” but it is so difficult to actually run faster. On the first reading, it is very easy to think that same thing about this verse “let us walk in the light of the Lord.” It seems so simple, merely walk in God’s light. However, we know that the world makes this statement so much easier said than done. There are a million and one other false lights that the world uses to lead us away. There’s the false light of popularity and fame that seeks to tell us that all that matters is other’s opinion of us. There’s the false light of wealth and power that seeks to tell us that our value can only be measured in a bank account or a job title. There’s the false light of sin and vice that seeks to tell us that all that matters is earthly pleasure. In this world of flashing neon signs, it is difficult to hold the steady glow of God’s light before us. On our own, it is an impossible task. Luckily, we are not on our own.
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.
It is not our job to learn every inch of God’s path, and what a blessing that is! God Himself will teach us his ways. However, let us not grow complacent and believe there is nothing we have to do, for we still have a vital task: we must go up to the mountain of the Lord. God will teach us his ways, but we must first place ourselves in a posture to receive his instruction. God will help us to walk in his light, but we must first be willing to let go of the comforting glow of the false lights of the world. Only after all of these other lights have been extinguished can we confidently embark down the path God has taught us to follow, no longer worrying about following a false light, but instead being assured that the sole light we see is God lighting the way before us.
HHYG 