Isaiah 44:19 And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
Yesterday we spoke of the candle and how nothing in Revelation 2:1-5 spoke about the candle. My first instinct is to say that the candle is not to be glorified but Romans 8 says otherwise.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Consider if you will being the wick of that candle. The wick is a vessel of transformation of wax into light. The melted wax fuels the fire and the wick gives the flame a place to shine. The wick is only noticeable as it is used. In its use it is consumed.
Psalm 102:3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
Shall I make the residue thereof an abomination?
A candle that has been blown out, its light extinguished, leaves a black hard residue, which is unfit for use. The wick must be trimmed, restored to a suitable condition to shine brightly once again.
Exodus 30:7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
When the light goes out we are exposed for what we are, unfit for use. It is only through repentance and confession that we are restored. Daily!
Consider this closely if you choose to execute God’s will. It is the order of things.
There is an author of Christian fiction named Lori Wick. According to Joycelyn, she packs lots of truth and gospel into her stories. Joycelyn loves her work. Lori is a wick that is shining through Her writings.
No comment as to the crusty wick?
Your calling attention to the wick brings back a flood of memory. As a kid I lived on an Iowa farm and in the cold winter we kept the waterers thawed with kerosene lamps. The wicks needed trimming everyday. Trimming wicks is a tedious task. You need a sharp scissors and a steady hand. You don’t want to cut off anymore than necessary, but don’t want to leave any crust. I can’t help but think of Hebrews 12:5-11 my Lord’s chastening hand that is so needed in my life. In John 15, He is looking for fruit in my life, and He knows just how much to cut, where to cut and when to cut….all this to keep me guided in HIS WILL.
I would love to go into much more detail, but trust your readers can get the message.
Good points Ron.
Suppose we do not trim the wick, essentially not confessing condition, no repentance. Yet we had given light and we want to be used to shine. What is the result?
We turn to others and say, “Can I get a light from you?” We turn to men rather than Jesus. What little light than might we seen is weak and polluted by the flesh.