Devotional: The Guiding Word Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105, NASB).

Growing up my mother often used words and verses from the Bible to explain what she was saying. It not that she believed that every situation that we encounter is mentioned in the bible. Instead, mom wanted us to consider if the scriptures have words that establish principle that might be applicable to the present circumstances. For example mom often quoted this verse: “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18, KJV). This was mom’s ways of telling us to be humble and not to get the big head thinking that we are better than we really are. It was also her way of telling us that disobedience leads to bad outcomes. Pride and a haughty spirit leads to poor decisions.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm (chapter) in the bible. In this psalm David illustrates his conviction that living by the word of God is the most important thing that a person can do. The word tells us who God is, what God commands us to do and not to do. If we live by His word we are walking in the right path and we are blessed. If we walk in the ways of the evil one we are walking in wrong paths and certain destruction we will run into.

If I live by His words they will be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. This statement has a chiastic structure. Both words convey the same thought. I can walk in a lighted path by God’s word, or I can walk in a dark path. Only the word of God can make my ways right with God.

Prayer: Thank you God for Your word that guides my path. Amen.