Who I am makes a big difference in what happens to me. For “the righteous,” things are looking good – “the light…shines brightly.” My own choices and God’s blessing can really set the table for some good things in my life.
Sadly, for “the wicked,” things don’t look so good. Their “lamp…is snuffed out.” In the Biblical world, once the sun went down, there really wasn’t much light available to function at night.
Their single-wick lamp was about all the ancients had. Lose that light and things got complicated!
This wise saying offers a pretty significant contrast! One light shines brightly and the other goes out.
It’s a statement of truth and a promise. Life can be good and that will come as the result of my own good choices. But, when I don’t make such choices, I can expect some serious difficulties ahead.
Of course, my lamp going out may just be an unfortunate moment – for one night – or it could be terminal! That will be my call.
But even better news – things can just get brighter and brighter day by day! I have the opportunity to keep that going, as well…one day, one night at a time.