Lighthouse

9/3/2020

2 Samuel 23:16 “…Nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.”

Everything, and I do mean everything, seems too hard right now. We have political ugliness, strained race relations, disparities causing unrest, massive unemployment, human trafficking, drug addiction, natural disasters, a global pandemic, and a largely biased media that strikes even more fear into people. The storm around us is certainly raging, ‘tis true. So, am I hunkering down waiting for it to pass, or can I do more? Last evening, when I posed the question of what we as believers should be doing during this uncertain time, my son had a beautiful and wise answer. He said we need to be the lighthouse in the storm, standing firm even though the waves may be battering us. We need to shine brightly for others so that they can also make it to shore. I loved this imagery so much, and today I asked God to help me be that steady lighthouse to those around me.

In the verse above, David is parched and begging for water, but when it is given to him, he pours it out as an offering to the Lord. By doing this, David revealed that the Lord is his strength and quencher of his soul. In my quiet Covid world, where the OCD wants to drag me into a constant state of fear, can I lean fully into God and show others He provides almighty strength and sustainment? He is our deliverer, not only from sin, but from all the flaming arrows around us. I truly believe He is fully in control; do I boldly share that with others? There has never been, in our lifetimes, more upheaval and a more important time to courageously share the Gospel. Chambers writes, “If you are always taking blessings for yourself and never learn to pour out anything unto the Lord, other people do not get their horizons enlarged through you.”

Be the lighthouse in someone else’s storm.