“... the path of righteousness is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”
~Proverbs 4:18 (NRSV).
The power in the promise and potential in the light and heat of the sun as it breaches the horizon is ever compelling. We know through our experience that a new day is dawning and we can reliably rest in that fact. God has been so good to us once more; we have another day to live; another to look forward to.
Just as well is the idea of the truth, full of light and abundance. We cannot readily be afraid of the truth, for what is made out in light is revealed, and it will never be false again.
Truth as a Promise in Faith
In the above proverb we swap righteousness for truth. Living a life wedded to truth is the faithful life and we know that faith does not deliver initially. Deliverance is issued at the appropriate time—when the full light of day has come.
Otherwise, the path of righteousness—which is devotedness to truth:
“Offers only faint light at first, but as its light increases, it offers safe passage.”[1]
Truth and faith, then, becomes a pathway to a wondrously assured thing: blessing. Truth is the path and faith is the way to staying on the right path.
Wickedness negates and battles with the truth and, sadly, it fights a war it cannot win. The ever-burgeoning light of day will have its easy victory. Just wait awhile.
Faith, we can know, is an investment for the future. As it abides to the right path and not the wrong one, it sows for itself the stuff of dreams.
Stick to the truth and continue that way. The growing light of day will be our best defence, when suddenly there is no defence at all needed. The truth will soon be self-evident.
© 2010 S. J. Wickham.
[1] Paul E. Koptak, The NIV Application Commentary: Proverbs (
2 comments:
I love the way you've explain this scripture Steve. I especially love the way you've placed truth for righteousness coz truth is revelation and only in truth can you attain righteousness. And the picture is breath taking, it helps to see and bring life to the metaphor of th dawning of a new day and the light coming through. I'm in love with your statement: 'truth is the path...faith is the way'..the direction. Like if you go the wrong way you won't find the path like it says in vs 19 'the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.' The 'word is the light to our path' and the word is true coz it is 'God breathed' and 'truth is the path' and it gives life and Christ said 'I am the way the truth and the life.'. 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life'. Isn't that awesome. Follow truth by faith and have light of life. This is eternal. Thanks and God bless. Abby.
Thank you, Abby, for taking the time to give such lovely feedback. It gladdens me because I often don't rethink what I've written because I'm off onto other topics quickly. So, you've blessed me very much by giving me some devotional thought.
God bless you,
Steve.
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