Delighting in God’s Presence

Dec 26 – Jan 2

A Lamp and a Sword

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/01/21

When we wield the Word of God as a lamp to our feet and a sword against sin, we become more and more able to delight in God’s presence.

The Puritan John Owen once advised: “Be killing sin or [sin] will be killing you.” It’s true. If we’re not engaged in the battle against sin, we will become spiritually stagnant. So, how do we kill sin? The answer is not only found in the Word of God; it is the Word of God. In Ephesians, Paul described the armor of God and included this one offensive weapon: “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (6:17). By keeping God’s Word on our lips and in our hearts, we have a weapon at hand, ready to attack sin and gain ground in pursuit of righteousness.

But the Word of God is not just a weapon to wield against our sinful nature and the temptations of Satan and the world. It is also our comfort, our light in the darkness. When we stumble and fail, the Gospel proclaims us yet victorious. God’s Word affirms our peace with God through faith in Christ, who is our righteousness (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). We are no longer under law, but under grace—no longer enemies, but children of God—so we can delight in the presence of our heavenly Father and trust Him to complete the good work He has begun in us (see Philippians 1:6).

Prayer: Father, thank You for making me Your child and for arming me with Your Truth. Help me to keep Your Word before me to light my way and guard my heart. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).