"The Doorpost, the Lamp and the Water"

The Doorpost, the Lamp and the Water

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!” Psalm 119:11

A couple of weeks ago as I was sleeping soundly, a dream came to me.  In my dream I saw a doorpost and then a lamp, followed by a little cup of water fastened to the door.  I felt this was something I must pay attention to and then I woke up.  I rarely have a spiritual dream, but I knew this was from God and I cannot get away from it.  I thought about it all the time.  Finally I decided to search the Bible to see what God was telling me.

After prayer and searching the Bible, I now know what that dream meant.  God was showing me all revolved around His Word; the Holy Bible.  The first thing I saw was the doorpost. This is what it says in Deuteronomy 11:18, where God was speaking about his word.  “You shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and soul.”  Then in verse 20 he says, “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

I did some research and found this: In Hebrew, to this day, the Jews have a Mezuzah. A Mezuzah is two chapters from the Torah written (in Hebrew, of course) on a piece of parchment. The parchment is then rolled into a scroll, wrapped in paper or plastic, usually inserted into a hard-plastic or metal case, and affixed to the doorpost. This practice is still being followed by God-fearing Jews.  We can only guess how powerful the Word of God is.

The second thing I saw was a lamp. In my dream it appeared to look similar to a very old lantern, but was definitely a lamp of some kind. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” [Psalm 119:105] To explain this verse more fully, Matthew Henry’s commentary says, “The word of God directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it.” We go through so many doubts and difficulties during a lifetime and it is God’s Word that can direct me and comfort me in all these fears and turmoil.  The problem is that many of us do not turn to the Word of God when these things come upon us.

I have always believed that the Word of God is a ‘manual’ for living.  How many of you have tried to put a piece of furniture; a toy, or game together without reading the directions?  I would say most of us and we are so frustrated when it doesn’t go together right.  This is true for life as well; you have the directions, if you would just read them. 

The last thing I saw in my dream was a dish or a cup of water. It looked like a small font attached to the house.  I thought, “The Catholics bless themselves with Holy water before they enter their church, but I don’t think that’s what it means”.  Then I read this in Ephesians 5:26, “He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.”   This is not speaking of Baptism with water, but was to be accomplished by truth, which is the Word of God.  John 17:17 explains it best, “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.” 

As we read and study the Bible and believe all that it tells us, we become sanctified like the Word is washing over us with water.  Many times when reading the Bible, a certain truth will stir my soul and I will feel cleansed and refreshed.  I can read other things that mean nothing, or fiction that is a little racy and it makes you feel dirty.  I learned a long time ago to not read that sort of thing. 

When I read about the word of God on a doorpost, I know it’s written on the doorpost of my heart.  When I think of the lamp, I know the Lord is guiding me along my journey of life.  And when I think about the water of His word, I am refreshed knowing he has me washed in his word.  He also showed me a word in my dream and the word was this – PREPARE!  I believe that means to hide the word of God in your heart; you never know when you will need it.

Friends, I know your life is so busy, but won’t you take time each day to read something in God’s Word?   That is being prepared.  Dip your fingers in the water of his Word and be blessed.