Don’t be afraid, the darkness can’t harm you. If you have light in your life, you can see through the darkness.”
–Cliff Hudgins (Viejo and the Hunted Ranger)
“To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
–Luke 1:79 (NKJV)
————————————–
What is it that makes a campfire so comforting? Perhaps in cold weather it’s the warmth, but mostly it is the light that is produced. We are drawn to it, no matter the distance. At night, on a hillside, a fire is easy to see. Of course, in the camp our eyes have trouble not gazing into it.
If you have ever watched Rawhide on television, you may have noticed that on the end of the wagon is a lantern. It was kept lit at night helping the night guards find the camp, especially in inclement weather. It was there for safety, to draw attention, and as a beacon. Remember, in the wilderness the children of Israel had the pillar of fire at night. It not only gave comfort and safety, but the people could recognize that God was there with them. One of the major symbols of the Holy Spirit is that of fire–a light to guide our way, heat to warm our souls, comfort to assure us of His presence.
Red Steagall wrote a very good poem regarding the “Lantern on the Wagon.” How it is a welcome sight to help guide back to camp. But think of it as the light of the Holy Spirit guiding us to the camp of God. The first part of the poem, tells of the storm, the trouble, and how the cowboy saw the lantern, but I want to focus on the last two stanzas:
“Your life has no direction when you think you’ve lost your way
I had a friend who helped me, all I had to do was pray
He’s the one whose love is constant you don’t have to ride alone
All you need to do is ask him and he’ll lead you safely home.
Like the lantern on the wagon He will lead thru the storm
A beacon shining brightly when your lost and all alone
As you wonder thru the darkness He’s a warm and friendly sight
His light of love will lead you safely thru the darkest night
Yes His light of love will lead you safely thru the darkest night.”
The light, the fire–they comfort us, they help us find our way. The Psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (119:105, NKJV) When we have the light of God’s holy Word and we combine it with the fire of the Holy Spirit we will surely not lose our way.
I doubt that I will ever lay in front of a campfire again. Oh, we might make one in the backyard when the weather cools some, but I do have the memories of many camps along the way. Some are pleasant, others not so. I can remember one night camping in Texas of a fire in the springtime. It was cold that night and I had to keep turning as I tried to sleep. I would roast on one side, while the other felt like it was in an icebox. After a few minutes, I would roll over, defrost the cold side and begin to fry the other. But through it all, I knew I would survive; I would be kept safe and the warmth of the fire comforted me. Imagine what it would have been like without that campfire?
The words of an old song have been going through my mind this week. I tried to find the composer, but all I could come up with was one person’s name who I know didn’t compose the words, as they are older than he is. I remember my Aunt had a record by Red Foley and this song was on it. Let me close with the chorus:
“There’s a light guiding me, I can see Heaven’s glory,
And it holds me steadfast to His way and His love.
It’s guiding me through temptations and evil.
There’s a light guiding me to that Heaven above.”
————————————–
What is it that makes a campfire so comforting? Perhaps in cold weather it’s the warmth, but mostly it is the light that is produced. We are drawn to it, no matter the distance. At night, on a hillside, a fire is easy to see. Of course, in the camp our eyes have trouble not gazing into it.
If you have ever watched Rawhide on television, you may have noticed that on the end of the wagon is a lantern. It was kept lit at night helping the night guards find the camp, especially in inclement weather. It was there for safety, to draw attention, and as a beacon. Remember, in the wilderness the children of Israel had the pillar of fire at night. It not only gave comfort and safety, but the people could recognize that God was there with them. One of the major symbols of the Holy Spirit is that of fire–a light to guide our way, heat to warm our souls, comfort to assure us of His presence.
Red Steagall wrote a very good poem regarding the “Lantern on the Wagon.” How it is a welcome sight to help guide back to camp. But think of it as the light of the Holy Spirit guiding us to the camp of God. The first part of the poem, tells of the storm, the trouble, and how the cowboy saw the lantern, but I want to focus on the last two stanzas:
“Your life has no direction when you think you’ve lost your way
I had a friend who helped me, all I had to do was pray
He’s the one whose love is constant you don’t have to ride alone
All you need to do is ask him and he’ll lead you safely home.
Like the lantern on the wagon He will lead thru the storm
A beacon shining brightly when your lost and all alone
As you wonder thru the darkness He’s a warm and friendly sight
His light of love will lead you safely thru the darkest night
Yes His light of love will lead you safely thru the darkest night.”
The light, the fire–they comfort us, they help us find our way. The Psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (119:105, NKJV) When we have the light of God’s holy Word and we combine it with the fire of the Holy Spirit we will surely not lose our way.
I doubt that I will ever lay in front of a campfire again. Oh, we might make one in the backyard when the weather cools some, but I do have the memories of many camps along the way. Some are pleasant, others not so. I can remember one night camping in Texas of a fire in the springtime. It was cold that night and I had to keep turning as I tried to sleep. I would roast on one side, while the other felt like it was in an icebox. After a few minutes, I would roll over, defrost the cold side and begin to fry the other. But through it all, I knew I would survive; I would be kept safe and the warmth of the fire comforted me. Imagine what it would have been like without that campfire?
The words of an old song have been going through my mind this week. I tried to find the composer, but all I could come up with was one person’s name who I know didn’t compose the words, as they are older than he is. I remember my Aunt had a record by Red Foley and this song was on it. Let me close with the chorus:
“There’s a light guiding me, I can see Heaven’s glory,
And it holds me steadfast to His way and His love.
It’s guiding me through temptations and evil.
There’s a light guiding me to that Heaven above.”