So this is a devotional that I did for today using the SOAP approach to devotions. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. I wrote and read from Pslams 36:9 today. Please tell me what you think and please read with an open heart because you never know what or when God is going to move in your heart and reveal something to you or connect with you or change you in some way. Thanks for reading if you do and please tell me what you think! =)
The Only Light that Shines by Michael James Waymire
S (scripture)- Psalms 36:9- "For with you is the fountain of life; IN YOUR LIGHT WE SEE LIGHT." (emphasis added on the part that I mainly wrote about).
O (observation)- I find the part of Pslam 36 verse 9 that reads: "... In your light we see light." To be so incredibly deep and significant. What this part of the verse is basically saying is that without God, and a true and meaningful connection to and with God, we cannot see or experience or know goodness or light, that we need the light and power and guidance of God to shine on us and before us to even be able to have any light at all and to be able to see the true light, the true way, and the truly good things in life and overall in existence. So with that it is also saying that without the light or direction that comes with having a true relationship with God we would not truly or even minutely know or see or experience light or goodness because without God there is no light or goodness, but only a false dim light or secretly sinister worldly goodness that is not fruitful or good or truly bright, but that only misleads us and destroys us and separates us more and more from God and all the good and true things that he has for us. This false worldly light might seem warm or friendly or accepting but it is a trap that will lure you into darkness and despair. So we all need to humble ourselves before God, who loves us and only has and wants the best for us, and allow him to shine his light into us and before us, so that we can truly see the right path to take, and actually recognize what is light and what is false light or dark and what is good and what is evil. Do not allow the world to deceive you! Let the light of God reveal the truth and release perfect Love into your life, for the truth and the Love of God will always set you free and give you the ability to be the person that you were always meant to be!
A (application)- I need to rely more and more on God. I need to turn to him more and more for guidance and support and I need to draw nearer and nearer to him so that I may be comforted and empowered by his Love and guided by his light, which is the only light that truly illuminates the way that a person should go and that is the only light that truly shows what is good in the eyes of the Lord and that which is only good in the eyes of the world but that is not actually good and that leads people astray to doom and death. I must not allow myself to think that just because something feels good or doesn't hurt anyone else that it is good and that I should be able to do it because that is a lie conceived by the enemy to deceive us and warp our minds and lead us away from the truth and truly good things that can only be found by having a relationship with God who is my Lord and savior Jesus Christ who loves me and died for me on the cross to save me and the entirity of human existence.
P (prayer)- Lord I pray that I would know and be guided by and be empowered and filled by your light and love and truth. Please help me to be repulsed by what repulses you and to flee from those things and draw nearer and nearer to you instead. Please let me have a true and intimate relationship with you and help me to become the person you always purposed me to be. In Jesus name I pray AMEN.
Thank you for reading for those of you who did. Please share your thoughts on this verse or what I had to say about it as I would love to hear your thoughts. I hopefully will post one of these everyday or at least every other day. If any of this spoke to you please do not brush it off but take a chance and talk to God and open your heart to something that maybe you have been resisting or that you did not previously believe in. Do not be hard hearted or stubborn. If you are truly a seeker of the truth then talk to God and ask him to reveal himself to you, and if you mean it and actually want it, someway and somehow he will... trust me. Jesus is there for you no matter what and he only wants to get to know you and for you to get to know him. And if anything did reach out and grab you or move you in some way by reading this or thinking about this stuff, it is not because of me, so don't thank me or think that I am powerful or smart in any way... Only the Holy Spirit can move the human soul... so thank God and turn to him for support and strength and love and freedom!
Peace out for now! =)
- Michael James Waymire