Tuesday – November 3, 2020
Scripture
Psalm 119:105
O God, “Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path.”
A Word of Hope
Today’s reading leads us to evaluate how we walk with God in our daily lifestyle. We must seek God’s “word” to find our life’s path in harmony with the divine desire for our life. Fortunately, God has not hidden these desired principles in some dark and obscure corner of reality. This verse tells us that we have been provided a searchlight to successfully find them… “a lantern for my feet and light upon my path”. Just as the sun provides all of the light we need, illumination from God will guide our steps along life’s path.
If you’ve ever been surrounded by the profound darkness of a moonless night while camping in the woods, you know the value that a lantern can be for your walk to the outdoor privy. It doesn’t illuminate the whole scene in front of you, but it shines enough light on your feet that you don’t trip on something and fall down. It will guide you through the little, moment-by-moment steps of life. This verse continues and tells us that the word (desires) of God, which have been disclosed by Scripture and the life example of Jesus, will light up our whole path throughout life, not just step-by-step, but the whole trajectory of our life. Divine wisdom and teaching will be like airport landing lights which are seen at a distance and lead us straight ahead to land safely at our life’s desired terminus, eternity with Christ. O God, your desires for my life, expressed by your word, are all of the light I need.
Psalm 119: 111 tells us: O God, “your decrees are my inheritance forever; truly, they are the joy of my heart.” The God-given principles for a life in harmony with divine desire are a gift to the Christian, just like an inheritance in the life of a family’s heir. These divine instructions become a treasure to guide a healthy and contented life of inner peace and joy. By following this guidance, an individual can live in harmony with God today, through all future tomorrow’s and into an eternal presence with the Divine One. However, like a family inheritance, a person can’t accept it one day, reject it the next, and expect be a happy heir to the family’s goodness.
Likewise, the Christian can’t pick and choose among the gifts (divine principles) of the inheritance and still expect to live in peaceful harmony with God. We need to live a consistent lifestyle which is willing to be molded by the divine desire to change our words and actions. In life, walking with God means walking in step with God!
Prayer
Lord God, quiet my mind and open my heart to receive your words of guidance. May your Spirit teach me to develop a more vibrant spiritual life which is surrendered to you. And may I walk hand-in-hand with you this day. Amen.
Devotion Author
Donald (Luke) Day