¹⁰⁵ Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
 
We are finishing up our sermon series, EMMAUS CODE and that has me thinking about ciphers (which is just a really fancy word for codes).  Here are a couple of my favorites.
 
A1Z26 – This code is pretty easy to crack.  A = 1, Z = 26, and each letter in the alphabet has a number. 
19-5-5, 9 20-15-12-4 25-15-21 9-20 23-1-19 5-1-19-25.
 
Atbash – This code uses the alphabet only.  You just line up two alphabets (one forward and one backward) and then encode your message.
SZIWVI GL URTFIV LFG, ULI HFIV.
 
There’s also morse code, phone code, a grid cipher, and a pigpen cipher (shown above).  All of this is intriguing, but is there a way to crack the code?  There is, but you need to know how someone encoded the message to decode the message.  In other words, you need to know the writer.
 
We’ll never know God’s heart if we don’t read His words.  We’ll never know God’s peace if we don’t trust His strength.  Trust equals faithfulness over time.  The more we read, the more we know.  The more we know, the more we trust.  The more we trust, the more we surrender. 
 
There are things in this life that we may never understand.  There are parts of God’s mercy and forgiveness that still blow my mind.  The Bible is a lens that helps us see the world accurately.  The Bible is a lens that helps us see ourselves accurately.  His Word is a lamp that lights our way to Him.  I love that this verse highlights WHERE the light hits.  Not in front of us to see what’s coming, but at our feet so we can take the next sure step.
 
I know Marea.  My wife is for me in every way.  I know her heart, I know her smile, I know when she’s hurting… I know her because I have spent so much time with her.  The more time I spend with God (in prayer and reading the Bible), the more I learn about His grace, forgiveness, and love.  I could spend a lifetime getting to know Him, but I’ll start here.
 
ILSB DLA, ILSB LQEBOP
 
This weekend we’ll look at the story of Joseph.  I have been struck by the consistency and steadiness of his heart throughout turmoil and struggle.  He knew what God promised long ago, but God’s not on our timetable.  He didn’t get restless, he didn’t question, he just continued to trust the Lord.  Why?  Because God is faithful.  Trust over time equals faithfulness and I pray that He continues to light your path.
 
Soli Deo Gloria!
F –