Faithful on Fridays Blog

Lampstand

If you’ve walked with me these last few Fridays you’re ready to enter through the first curtain into the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. As you entered through the one way, Jesus, asked for forgiveness at the Brazen Altar, and washed at the Laver, you now approach the Holy Place. Only a priest is allowed entrance, however, Jesus declared that the Church is a kingdom of priests (Rev. 1:6), therefore, we pass through that veil and into the light. It’s a beautiful image of beginning our walk with Christ in light and life.

In Him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5 

The lampstand was the only source of illumination in this enclosed part of the Tabernacle and was made of pure gold with seven branches whose tips were shaped like almond blossoms. The English word ‘almond’ translates in Hebrew as ‘awakening one‘; what a buried treasure God has allowed us to dig out. Our new life in Christ is an awakening, like the first morning light the lampstand represents. Not only do we receive this light at the beginning of our spiritual walk but it’s a continual flame that was attended by the priest twice a day. Hmmm. This is a time for reflection; are you maintaining the light in your life? Time with Jesus, time in His Word. If you’ve allowed the flame to grow dim this is your wakeup call; get yourself back into the light and allow the Spirit of Christ to speak new life into you every day.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 

For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son … Colossians 1:13 

Darkness cannot overpower light; that’s true in the lower and the upper story. When you walk in the Spirit’s light every day, Satan cannot overcome you: you are the ‘overcomer‘. Interestingly, the Greek word for ‘overcomer’ is nikaos, to conquer. The name Nike comes from this word and rightly so because the image is an athlete who gains victory over a challenger.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5 

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 

By faith our walk is in the kingdom of light and the outcome is fixed: ultimately, we win, so stay in the game.