An Uncertain Sound – Stepping in the Light

“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.” I Corinthians 14:8-10

In I Corinthians 14, Paul is instructing the church at Corinth about the importance of creating clear communication of God’s Word every time a local congregation of believers is gathered together. This passage has often been misunderstood, but it is actually very clear what Paul is talking about when we are careful to examine every verse in the context of the entire chapter. The words tongue and voice are both used in here to refer to languages. In verse 10, Paul assures us that every language can be understood by someone. The purpose of language is communication. When we assemble together to worship the Lord, His Word should be proclaimed clearly so that everyone present can understand. Our lives are an example to the people around us. Once our peers know that we are Christians, they begin to interpret the things that we say and do as being representative of what the Bible teaches. If it is true that God’s message should be heard clearly in the church, then it is also true that it should be clearly seen in us. By watching us, can others get a clear picture of God’s love, or are we guilty of giving off an uncertain sound?

Morning: Psalms 140-142

Evening: I Corinthians 14:1-20

About This Site

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

If you were to find yourself walking down a path in the dark of night with only an old-fashioned lantern to light the way, you wouldn’t be able to see very far ahead. You would be able to see just enough of the pathway to know which direction to take your next step and enough of the ground to choose the best place for your feet. When it comes to our daily lives, God’s Word is a lot like that lantern. It will not show us the whole path at once, but it is exactly what we need to help us decide how to take the next step.

The Bible is our source of spiritual light, and if we consistently seek God’s direction as we read from its pages, we will always have enough light for our next step along the pathway of life. It is then that we are, in the words of an old gospel song, “stepping in the light.”

The goal of this devotional guide is to encourage you to spend time in the Word of God each day. Reading the passages listed at the bottom of the page will take you all the way through the Bible in one year. The devotional thought for each day is taken from a text within that day’s reading, so even that small daily portion of reading will take you on a journey through God’s Word. It is my prayer that this guide would help you to walk closer to the Lord and that you will find yourself taking each step in the light of His Word.