God’s Word – Psalm 119:105

In this week’s text, the psalmist teaches, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. Notice how he identifies the Bible as providing light from two different perspectives– light for a path and light from a lamp. Light emanates from the Word of God. What else does it do? Light eliminates darkness. Evil and evil works both are identified as darkness. In the New Testament, those who are saved walk in light with God. Those who are not saved walk in darkness. Saved people are also warned to not walk in darkness as an unbeliever would. Light brings help, produces strength, and guides us along the path of life.

Notice the sources of the light provided to the follower of Jesus. God’s Word provides light as a lamp and light to the path. What is the difference between these two lights? The light for the path provides a general direction for life. A path goes before you from where you are today in life until you arrive in heaven. There are twists and turns, ups and downs, and bumps along the way. The Bible generally provides light to that path. We know where we are in the journey; however, we cannot make out the features of the path over a large distance. We can only see for a limited distance. Yet, the Bible provides us that light.

The Bible also is a lamp for our feet. In other words, the Bible provides us light for the next step. Similar to a flashlight, this lamp of God’s Word helps us see the necessary next step as we anticipate the longer path ahead. Guidance for the decision you need to make today comes from the Word of God. The Bible warns us to stay on the right path, make sure our feet are planted well, and to watch every step. The light makes it clear to see the middle road of faith which helps us keep from going to the left or to the right, helps us walk faithful instead of faithless, and helps us walk in wisdom instead of folly.

*God’s Word is light. What are some imposters that propose to be light for the follower of Jesus Christ? In what ways do you see imposter lights providing a false light?

*How have you experienced the light of God’s Word along the path? How about God’s Word as a lamp for your feet?