As we move ahead in Psalm 119, we come to what is probably one of the most well-known verses in the entire Psalm, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." But before we examine that in detail, let's look at the nun stanza in its entirety. You know what I'm going to ask you to do, don't you? So let's get to it! And if there are any of you reading this who haven't been along for this entire journey......if this is your first time to visit this blog and you wonder what I'm talking about......this is how we always begin......
Read through the entire nun stanza (Psalm 119:105-112). Look for answers to the who/what/when/where/why/how questions (and be aware that all the questions may not be answered!). Look specifically for synonyms the psalmist uses for God's Word and make note of what you learn about the Word in these verses.
Now look again at that very familiar verse and let's focus our attention there today. What word picture does the psalmist use for the Word of God? Note that nowhere in the passage does he refer to the Word as a "high-beam headlight"! The Word is a lamp! What's the difference?
Think about that today. And think about this as well. In decisions you have to make in your life from day to day, do you trust God when all you can see is the next step on the path? Even when you have limited light on your path, do you still trust? Do you step out in faith or do you hold back waiting for the whole road to be flooded with light?
What do you think the psalmist (or God through the pen of the psalmist) is trying to teach us here? Meditate on that today and we'll continue in this stanza tomorrow. There's so much here for us to learn!
"If only the next step is clear, the the one thing to do is to take it! Don't pledge your Lord or yourself to any steps beyond what you know......We don't walk spiritually by electric light, but by hand-held lantern. And a lantern shows only the next step - not several steps ahead."
- Amy Carmichael
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