Daily Devotionals
Devotional: 8th of Tammuz
Your word is a lamp for my foot and light on my path (Psalm 119:105).
Chazak, chazak, venitchazeyk! (Be strong, be strong, and we will be strengthened!) This is recited by the congregation after each book of the Torah is completed in shul (synagogue).
Being strong in the Messiah involves receiving his strength, his encouragement, his blessing. The word "blessing" comes from the root word barakh, which refers to a situation where the blesser imparts something to the one to be blessed. As Messianic Jews, we must always ask ourselves, "Are we blessing others out of the great supply of all we have received from Messiah?"
One way in which we are called to be a blessing is to be a source of light in the world—a beacon of encouragement and strength to those around us. The source for this light is revealed in the passage above. The source of our light is the Word of God.
In this psalm the word for lamp is neyr, meaning "a lesser light such as a candle glistening." The word for light, or, means "light of day." The word for path, nativ, conveys the idea of moving along a course.
This generation is desperate for spiritual direction, a source of light, of strength, of encouragement. Let us consider how we can bless them with the message of God's Word.
...be strong through the Messiah's light and gain his berakhah (blessing), so that I can be a blessing to others.
JR
If you have enjoyed the devotional, why not purchase the book. Click the book cover to visit Messianic Jewish Publishers and find out how you can own this wonderful resource including additional material not available through the online version.