Light and Fire

Daily Reading: Isaiah 10

Scripture Focus: The light of Israel will become a fire, and his Holy One a flame. (Isaiah 10.17)

Devotional Thought: Isaiah saw it clearly, but Assyria missed it.  God had raised up Assyria as "the rod of my anger" (v. 5), but the Assyrians became arrogant and consumed with a thirst for power and conquest.  The light (knowledge of what needed to be done) had illuminated their way, but they had taken it too far.  God warned them that the light would become a flaming fire.

Two questions come to mind:

What is the light of Israel?  Centuries later, the Apostle Paul asked and answered that question, "What advantage has the Jew? ... The Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God" (Romans 3.1-2).  God had chosen to reveal himself to the world through the offspring of Abraham - the Jews.  God is the light of Israel.  He has shined the light on them and through them.  The scriptures came to us through Israel.  Also, the Messiah, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

How is the light of Israel like a fire? 

• First of all, we know that fire consumes.  God was warning Assyria, if you go beyond what you should, I will consume you until there is nothing left.

• But also, fire enlightens.  Before we are consumed, we are given the choice to walk in the light as he is in the light, and be cleansed from our unrighteousness (1 John 1.7).

• Fire guides.  When Israel traveled through the wilderness, God led them with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.  When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we will end up in the right place.

Fire does many other things.  Some good and some bad.  It is up to us to decide what effect the fire will have upon us.

Prayer: Lord, you are the Light and Holy One of Israel.  I choose to walk in the light of your fire and be guided in your truth.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 43.1-5

1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!

2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.