Monday, September 29, 2008

To Build a Fire

"Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and rely upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that encircle yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire and the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand: ye shall lie down in sorrow." Isaiah 50:10-11

The principle found here (and Proverbs 3:5, 6) is the simplest thing and yet the hardest thing. Whether you are lost (and the "darkness" is spiritual darkness), or you are a child of God (and the "darkness" is the shadow of His hand), the only sure way is the way that trusts God and God alone. All other ways, all attempts to "kindle a fire," to create a man-made light for your darkness, will end in despair. All attempts to rescue yourself are futile; the only true light in the dark is God, the only true trust is the one that rests in Him.
Whatever darkness you are going through (and there is always some somewhere), avoiding kindling a fire. God asks that you go through the darkness to Himself, not park and make camp. God is the ever-present fireside, and that is the paradox: He is the one with you leading you to Himself. He is your guidance and destination; in Him alone is light and rest. All other fires are sinking sand.

"Only Light of the world,
Drown out all other lights
Like candles before the Dawn..."

-Jon Vowell

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