Your word is a lamp to our feet

The Word, which is the lamp, does not give us the ability to see the whole road in front of us. It just gives enough light to take one step at a time.

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British campsites are much better these days. They used to be awful but now they are as good, if not better than some of the ones on the continent. However, a number of them still have poor lighting at night and so we always leave a torch or two in the camper van in case we need to get to the facilities in the night. Walking by torch light you have to tread very carefully as it only illuminates one footstep at a time. If you go too quickly or try to attempt the walk without the lamp you are in danger of falling or bumping into something or even someone, which is not a good idea in the middle of the night.

In Psalm 119:105 it says: ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ When we are trying to find our way through the journey of life, God lights our path with His word. The truth of His word never changes. It will always take us in the right direction. We sometimes use our feelings or other people’s suggestions as a guide as to what we should do but they are not to be trusted. Jesus said: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me.’  Jesus himself is the word, who is the lamp to our feet.  In John 1:14 it says: ‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.’ 

Earlier in Psalm 119 it says: ‘I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways’ (Psalm 119:15). We need to read our Bibles every single day. There have been times when I have neglected to read my Bible and it has shown in my behaviour and decision making. On the other hand, reading the word regularly has saved me from many a heartache. I am sure there are others, who have the same testimony.

Many people, who profess to be Christians don’t accept the Bible as the authoritative, infallible word of God. They find some parts offensive or unbelievable but we can’t just pick and choose. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it says: ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’ It says all scripture, not just the bits we like.

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Our walk through this world can be dangerous and treacherous. There can be places where we can wander down another path that will lead us away from the Lord; we can stumble and fall but if we turn to the lamp to our feet we will get back on the right track. 

The Word, which is the lamp, does not give us the ability to see the whole road in front of us. It just gives enough light to take one step at a time. If we knew the future beforehand, we would be too terrified to walk along the dangerous paths and the deep valleys. God wants us to trust Him to take us along his way, stage by stage, not all at once but as needed. God’s Word operating as a lamp brings wisdom and truth into the mind of the believer. It is not about how much of the path ahead we can see. To God success in life is not about striving for certain financial and occupational standards, but about a closeness with Him. In Matthew 22:37 where Jesus was asked which was the greatest commandment in the Law he replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  If we can focus on loving God, obeying His Word, then our journey will be better for us. We may not be prosperous as the world understands that word but we will have a meaningful and fulfilling life.

In Matthew 4:4 when being tempted by the devil Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’   

Jesus Himself indicates here the significance of applying God’s word to our lives. He tells us that reading and living by God’s Word are essential to our daily life, We must take heed. The more familiar we are with the lamp to our feet, the more we can become like Jesus. The more like Jesus we are, the more God can use us. Not only will we be saved, but we can help to save others.

As usual I will finish with a quote from Charles Spurgeon, which seems to sum up quite nicely my thoughts in this blog.

‘We are walkers through the city of this world, and we are often called to go out into its darkness; let us never venture there without the light giving word, lest we slip with our feet. Each man should use the word of God personally, practically, and habitually, that he may see his way and see what lies in it. When darkness settles down upon all around me, the word of the Lord, like a flaming torch, reveals my way.’

As a finishing prayer I want to quote part of a hymn by John Henry Newman:

‘Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom

Lead thou me on.

The night is dark, and I am far from home,

Lead thou me on.

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene; one step enough for me.’

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 Author: Thelma Cameron

May God bless and enrich your life

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