A lamp and a light.
An old hymn has been repeatedly playing in my mind the last few days. You might be familiar with it… “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path....” I have vivid memories hearing this hymn throughout my childhood. The organ blaring, the sun peeking through the stained-glass windows, and the voices of hundreds of students singing the words we know by heart. It’s a comforting memory, one that brings me peace. The chorus comes directly from Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Fun fact: Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, longest chapter in the Bible, and almost every verse mentions God’s Word.
Most often, we can’t see the big picture of life. We don’t always have answers of where we’ll be in a week, a month, a year, or 10 years. With that in mind, how often do we try to take control of our lives so that we can give an answer of what we think, expect, or desire life to be like in a week, a month, a year, or 10 years? My own desires aren’t the lamp that guide my feet or the light that guides my path. The more we rely on ourselves to be the light, the dimmer it appears.
I like to think that’s why Psalm 119 mentions God’s Word so many times. He desires for us to draw nearer to Him through His Word, where He reveals Himself to us as our gracious, merciful, loving Father. He directs us in our doubts and difficulties. He comforts us in times of fear or distress. He leads us to paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Ps. 23:3). His Word assures us that the Holy Spirit will guide us, protect us, and lead us as we rely on and trust in Him daily.
Jesus IS our lamp and our light.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
When I feel afraid
Think I've lost my way
Still you're there right beside me
And nothing will I fear
As long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide
And hold me to your side
I will love you to the end
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
And a light unto my path
You're the light unto my path
