November 14
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
In 1990, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith wrote a song that is still one of my favorites. Google it and listen to the original recording of “Thy Word” by Amy. If you listen to the words carefully, you’ll notice that God’s word and God’s presence are synonymous.
The psalmist uses the Hebrew word dabar when he refers to God’s word: divine speech; what God Himself has spoken. It emphasizes the vocalization of God’s speech (e.g., “Let there be light”). So here we have the idea that God speaks to us in a manner that gives us direction for the moment; as it were, from the very lips of God.
What an amazing reality: God speaks to us as we trod this path called life! It’s easy to get turned around, confused, discouraged, fearful, and unsure. But when we’re well-acquainted with His word, He speaks to us to give us what we need to stay on the right path.
To the ancients, a lamp was absolutely necessary to avoid stumbling, falling, injury, or worse. If you’ve ever been trying to make your way in considerable darkness, a light is absolutely necessary. Darkness hides reality; it conceals the truth. Light dispels the darkness and reveals reality and truth.
This is a major characteristic of the word of God. He is not trying to hide the right path from us, He wants us to discover and follow it: the path to genuine life, fulfilling life, victorious life, eternal life. However, we live in a dark world—and it seems to be getting darker. The only way is to listen for His directions as we study His word.
When I was a kid, I recall my dad wanting to go fishing at night. To get from our camping spot to the boat, we had to walk across some uneven rocks that led by some cliffs at the edge of the lake. As I trailed him, he would shine the flashlight just in front of me, speaking directions like, “Step here. Be careful here. Jump here.”
That’s the nature of God’s word. He has spoken to us through His word and He uses it in our lives to speak truth, reality, direction, courage, hope, and perspective.
God, I desire to walk the right path. Use Your word in my life to be my light and direct me. Thank You! Amen
So thankful for HIS WORD each and every day!