Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path – Psalm 119:105
Did you ever wonder how people could see their way around at night before street lights?
In ancient times, if travelers didn’t make it to the safety of a city before dark, they would have to spend the night in a very dark and hazardous situation. They were at the mercy of such things as hungry lions, poisonous vipers and such. But, a huge bonfire was kindled every night outside city gates to show travelers the way. In the pitch-black of the desert, travelers headed toward the light of the signal fire.
Also in Ancient times, people found their way around the city because there were niches in a wall where the path turned. There would be a lit oil lamp setting in the niche and when people saw the light, they knew they should turn, or change direction, at that point.
This helps us understand what the Psalmist was visualizing when he wrote a Psalm to God saying: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. He was telling God that he could see the path to follow when he looks to God’s Word. God’s Word is the light to lead us, and it is tucked away in a niche called the Bible.
When Jesus came as the Son of Man, one of the criticisms he made was: the people didn’t know the Scriptures.1
Familiarity with God’s Word helps us see the direction God wants for us. It can show us when to walk straight ahead; and it can show us where the path turns and which direction to go. It can tell us what the Living God expects from us.
As we Blog, Calvary Christian Fellowship, Ventura, will be exploring the Scriptures that are a Lamp unto our feet and a Light onto our path…..and we are happy to have you join us.