The Eagle Magazine
"Walking Closer"
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
It was pitch dark where my Pawpaw Burton lived. Just before bed, he would walk out to the barn to check on the cow and the mules. I loved to go with him, but I held tight to his hand and watched the light from the lantern every step of the way. When I was a little bit older, I was walking along but not holding his hand. I thought I was too old for that now. The chickens were making a real racket, so I stopped and stared their way. Just about that time, Pawpaw entered the barn and closed the door...boy was it dark. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. Before I knew what was happening, I burst into tears and cried out to Pawpaw. As he opened the barn door, in the dim light of the lantern, I could see him laughing just a little and he said, "I'm right here. Come on in."
I still wanted to go with Pawpaw to the barn every night, but I stayed close to the lantern, knowing it was the only light in the darkness that surrounded us in the night.
The Lord gives us light for our way; it's the precious Word of God. I know there have been many times I strayed from walking in that light; and it doesn't take long for the darkness to surround me. I can recall the fear at not knowing which way to go or what might overtake me in life's journey when I refused to walk in the light.
There is another sense that caused me alarm that dark night so many years ago. It was when I lost the light of the lantern, I also lost sight of my Pawpaw and that was the worst part. I was never afraid in the least when I could see him walking just a step ahead of me, but when I thought I was alone in the darkness, I couldn't bear the fear.
The Word of God not only lights our path; it illuminates the Saviour. The more we look into the scriptures, the more clearly we see the face of Jesus. I used to sing an old gospel song that started like this: "I've never seen the face of my Saviour..." and that's true in the physical sense. Oh, but spiritually, I have seen him through the Word; and he is fairer that the lilies, brighter than the morning star, sweeter than the fragrance of the roses. The more of Jesus I see, the more wonderful he becomes.
So, today, I want to walk a little closer to the lantern. I want to see his face just a little more closely. I want to hear his voice whisper in my ear, "...This is the way, walk ye in it..." Isaiah 30:21. Do you see the lantern? Maybe you don't. Look over there, on that table in the den, on the nightstand by your bed, or it might be there on the bookshelf. Now, tell me, how long has it been since you spent more than a few minutes in the word of God. If it's been awhile, step out of the darkness and into the light. Read five Psalms, or the book of First John, or the first five chapters of Matthew, or the first three chapters of the Gospel of John. Let the light shine in your heart; you've been walking in the dark too long now.
We are children of the light. Jesus put it this way "While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light..." John 12:36. Ok, now, turn from the darkness: "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." Acts 26:18.
Awaiting His Return!
Dr. Gary S. Moore
