Message summary: May the overwhelming love of God overwhelm you during the overwhelming situations in life.

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"You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light" (2 Samuel 22:29). "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Back in the good old days when people were out at night they carried a lantern (or lamp). These days walkway lights are used as helpful safety features while also being decorative. We use solar lights for a lengthy concrete sidewalk of graduated steps that leads up to our front porch. In our backyard we have a path made up of paver stones. I am considering using another method to light this pathway; glow in the dark paint. This product absorbs the light from the sun during the day and reflects it back in the dark!

But there's an even more important light spoken of in Scripture that we want to consider today; the spiritual light from God that guides us through the darkness.

In an expression of praise after fleeing from King Saul's rage David wrote, "You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light".

David was fleeing the rampage of Saul's violent temper and unharnessed jealousy for quite some time. Although the overall darkness was not lifted at this point, he had escaped the most recent flare up of his enemy and devoted time to giving thanks for his deliverance.

Much like David we rejoice when we experience victory after the assault of our enemy, the devil. He is vigilant in his pursuit of entrapping the believer. Charles Spurgeon candidly wrote concerning this persistent enemy, "The great tyrant has not forgotten you, and he designs your capture and re-enslavement."

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Today's second verse concerning light is one of the most familiar, also set to music which is a great help in memorization.

Satan wants to surround our lives with darkness so that we will be immobilized or stumble over the objects he places in our path, such as discouragement, strife or fear. But Jesus goes before us and illumines our path, one step at a time, making us aware of what looms in the darkness.

We're cautious as we follow in His steps knowing that getting ahead of Him will plunge us into darkened and dangerous territory. But even if we should get off course or fall behind we have the blessed assurance that "though we stumble, we will not fall, for the Lord upholds us with His hand" (Psalm 37:24).

C.H.Mackintosh writes, "God never gives guidance for two steps at a time. I must take one step, and then I get light for the next. This keeps the heart in abiding dependence upon God". Keep holding onto His hand, dear brothers and sisters, and follow in His lightened path, one step at a time.

Our church service ended yesterday with a powerful quote based on this text from Romans 8:37, "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."

The pastor used it as a benediction: "I pray the overwhelming love of God overwhelms you during the overwhelming situations in life."


Be encouraged today,


Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, there are many paths from which we can choose to walk. But I choose to walk the illumined path You have laid out for me, for it is the righteous path. It may take me through valleys that are overshadowed by doubt, discouragement, danger, or difficulty, but You uphold me with Your hand as You lead me one step at a time. Thank You for Your daily provision! We pray the overwhelming love of God overwhelms each reader during the overwhelming situations in life. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

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"Thy Word"  Video  Maranatha Singers  Today's second text set to music. (Many of you have sung this as a chorus)

"How Excellent"  Video  Calvary Church Choir    Brooksyne enjoyed the challenge of singing this very fast but powerful song yesterday! (Followed by "The Love Of God") "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:9). "Let them praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven" (Psalm 148:13).

Finally today: