THE LIGHT OF THE WORD

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

I don't like walking outside at night, especially in the mountains where I live.  When it is dark, it is easy to have an accident.  A wise person takes a flashlight with him when he goes outside at night.  A flashlight will permit a person to see where he is walking. 

Our world is filled with spiritual darkness and uncertainty.  Many are stumbling along, going from one painful fall to another because they are walking in darkness.  As followers of Christ, we are expected to walk in the light. 

God has given us a great resource for our journey through this world.  The Psalmist wrote, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105).  Despite the uncertainty and darkness that lies ahead, the truth of God's Word will be the light we need every step of the way.

1.  A LAMP FOR MY FEET

The psalmist wrote that God's Word is, "a lamp unto my feet."  When you walk at night, the most important need is to see where you are stepping.  You could step into a hole and twist or break an ankle.  You may step on a snake and get bitten.  Any number of things may happen if you can't see where your step will land.  God's Word will give us the insight we need to take the next step safely.  His Word reveals the ground we are walking on. 

2.  A LIGHT FOR MY PATH

Secondly, the Bible is, "a light unto my path."  Not only does the Bible illuminate the ground we are walking on, it also brightens the path ahead.  We make our future decisions and plans based upon the counsel of God's Word.  Knowing the path ahead will help us see detours and different paths.  The Bible helps us to wisely choose the right path to travel.

If you are driving home at night, you will need to turn the lights on when you start your vehicle.  If you are miles away from home, can you see your house as you start to drive?  Probably not, but the lights on your car help you to see the few feet in front of you.  As you travel, the lights of your car continue to reveal several feet in front of you.  As you make right decisions based on what you see, you eventually reach home. 

Life is very much like that.  God may not permit you to see five or ten years down the road. However, the light of His Word will illuminate the next step you will take.  It will show you the path you will travel today.  As you continue to travel by the light and make right choices, your journey will take you in places the Lord has chosen for you to walk.  It will be a joyful journey with a blessed destination.

Don't get frustrated because the light doesn't reveal the path twenty miles ahead.  Instead, follow the light that shines where you are and keep traveling the right direction.  Eventually, you'll be at that twenty-mile mark. 

God's Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  I have to confess that the greatest mistakes I've made as a Christian have come when I've neglected the Bible. This was an issue early in my Christian walk.  Now I read from the Bible daily.  Here's the reason why:  I need the light of the Word everyday as I travel this world of darkness and uncertainty.  You do, too.

Is the light of God's Word illuminating your path today?