Psalm 119:105 KJV
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
WE NEED ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
I certainly do not recommend trying this on your own, but as a teenager I drove a short distance on a country road with the car lights off.
It was a Halloween TP trip for those who know what that is (other than that I plead the fifth).
About one half mile or so from the targeted home, I turned the lights off thinking I’d drive slowly, getting closer to the house without being seen.
In my mind I thought this is no problem. The road was straight and all I had to do was keep the car going in a straight line…nothing to it.
It was dark with no moonlight and I soon found out that what I thought would be easy was much harder.
I became disoriented and knowing what was straight and what wasn’t in the dark was a challenge.
Very quickly, I turned the lights back on to park on the side of the road and we walked to the house.
Also, think about the times the power has gone off at night in your home. Until you find the candle and matches, or flashlight, you have to stumble around a bit, maybe catching your foot on a piece of furniture…or worse. You certainly want that candle or flashlight to light the area where you walk.
The "dark" can be very disorienting and dangerous.
We certainly need forms of artificial light to guide us safely through the dark of night.
WE NEED SPIRITUAL LIGHT
In thinking about our opening scripture, many people only view God’s word as a book telling us what is right and wrong, or how to live and how to be saved.
Yes, God’s word is a roadmap. Yes, it tells us about sin and what is sin. And yes, it tells us how to be saved.
However, God’s word tells us so much more.
For every situation in our life, there is a verse or story that gives us the answer.
For every time in our life when we are discouraged, there are verses that inspire us and give us hope.
As Christians, we know that we live in a world filled with darkness and Satan will try his best to get us off of the path of righteousness and into this darkness.
God’s word is our light and roadmap, to help us on our journey or walk in this life.
The Psalmist says that God’s word is a lamp for his feet and a light on his path.
Just as artificial light helps us through the dark of night, we definitely need the "spiritual light" that God gives us in His word, to guide us safely through the darkness of the world.
GOD'S WORD GIVES US WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING
ALL ILLUSTRATIVE OF "LIGHT"
Read what God tells us in Proverbs about the wisdom, knowledge and understanding (light) He gives and the danger of leaving the path of uprightness;
Proverbs 2:1-15 KJV
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
* God’s word will not allow us to get disoriented.
* God’s word will keep us grounded.
* God's word will keep us on the paths of uprightness, righteousness, judgement and everlasting life. Yea, every GOOD PATH.
* God's word will give us light, when darkness is all around us.
GOD'S WORD and YOU
Please think seriously about the following questions and meditate upon them;
“What does God’s word mean to you?”
“When do you turn to God’s word?”
"Is God’s word more to you than a book you turn to when times are bad?"
God’s word truly lights the way, as we walk the Christian path.
It will guide us through every situation in life. It will provide guardrails when the road gets treacherous.
Don’t wait until darkness comes.
Delve deep into God’s word DAILY and it will bring you encouragement, strength, peace, comfort, hope and assurance.
We wouldn't drive our car at night with no headlights to show the way. Likewise, we shouldn't attempt to live our Christian life without full dependence on the "SPIRITUAL LIGHT" of God's word.
God gave us this light so that we won't lose our way.
Let us depend on this light and let it guide us daily.
RVH