Keeper Of The Flame

Psalm 56: 13 -- "For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life."

In the night that stretches out as black as pitch with nothing but the waves and indigenous birds for company, Les Stroud, a.k.a. Survivorman, tosses and turns in a hopeless attempt to get some rest. But there is no true rest when much of the night must be used to keep the flame burning in a small pit-fire. Fitful bursts of shut-eye don't provide much time for personal batteries to recharge because one eye must always be on the fire. It mustn't go out. Without the convenience of a lighter or flint, if the flame dies, great effort must be put into trying to ignite another one. When energy banks are already below the negative mark, it's beneficial to use what little one has left to hunt for food and fresh water.

The flame is a life-saver. It's warmth where there is no blanket. It's light where there is no flashlight or candle. It's a source of energy to boil water or to cook what little food one might find or catch, and the smoke keeps blood sucking insects at bay. In a survivor situation, the flame is very truly vital - not only a physical necessity, but a beacon of hope to keep one's feet on solid ground. It's survival. One must keep the flame. And in Les's case, he's the only one out there to do the job. It's safe to say, he's got his work cut out for him.

We are far more fortunate, you and I. We have infinite access to the real Keeper Of The Flame - the life giving light from a brilliant spark that will never go out. In our case, the work is already done, we need but to bask in the warm glow of Salvation and cling to the light that will keep our feet from stumbling.

In the time of David, when this Psalm was written, feet were everything. Light was everything. There were no cars, bicycles, skateboards - or other easy means of travel. One had feet. Be they human or animal-of-burden, if our feet were to stumble and become prey to injury - a twisted ankle or a blister - travel suddenly became a whole lot more difficult. And in the darkness where cities were farther spread across the map without the benefit of interstates dotted with high solar light panels - stumbling was a very real threat to the progress of a journey. One couldn't simply whip out an LED pocket light and check the path ahead. No, one had to light a fire to keep the edges of the dark at bay. It was vital to keep the flame.

While our modern journeys may be a lot more convenient than conventional travel in the time of David, a well-lit path is no less vital. The same can be said of our life-walk with our Lord. Maneuvering from point A to point B in our spiritual path can be harrowing if the road is not properly lit. 

Want a well-lit path? Are you in need of that beacon of hope to pin-point your way home? Daily focus on the Flame. There is but ONE WORD needed in life to keep our feet from stumbling. David knew what it was. And really, so do we. God's WORD. 

Anchor there, my friend - in the true, never-ending light from THE Keeper Of The Flame.