Walking with the Wise #145: The Lamp of Life

“The light of the righteous rejoices,

but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”
—Proverbs 13:9

Living a life for the glory of God is the joy, privilege, and honor of every Christian. Living for God’s glory is the only sure way to obtain blessing from the Lord. Those who live for God’s glory are often portrayed as light or a lamp that burns brightly and for a long time—symbolizing the power of righteous behavior and the blessing of long life. The wicked are not so blessed, but will find their life being snuffed out suddenly.

Living a long and blessed life is not specifically promised, as much as it is generally portrayed. We all know, after all, someone who lived for God, but who died quite young. And we also know of those who have lived long lives of wickedness without giving any thought to God, one of Job’s complaints (cf. Job 21:7). We must take all that we do not understand and examine it through the lens of that which we do understand. We know that God is good (cf. 2 Chronicles 6:41) and that He is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”—Exodus 34:6. He is the God who loves us (cf. John 3:16), who knows those who are His (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19), and works out His will for His glory in ways that we may not understand (cf. Philippians 2:13; Isaiah 55:8-9).

We trust in Him, knowing that if we live a life honoring in His sight He will bless us for His glory and for our joy. Are you living a life for the Lord? Or are you living for your own sinful and selfish pursuits? Live a life for the Lord and He will honor and bless you. It may not always be in the way you desire or understand, but you can know that living for Him is always rewarded—at times in this life, but definitely in eternity. Amen.