November 21, 2024

This Week…Psalm 119:105

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Your Word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

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This week, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have been reminded of God’s promise that His Word brings light for our feet along life’s path.  Our devotional writers have shared their understanding with us in the devotions that they have written.  Please click on each link to read their complete devotional; but here are a few excerpts from their thoughts….

In The Word is Our Light, Ann reminded us that the True Light will help us with the darkness the world brings….

In John 1:9 the Bible says the Word of God is the True Light.  It is the Sword of the Spirit with which you pierce your way through the darkness of life.  If the True Light dwells richly in you then fear, defeat, failure, and all other results of darkness won’t have any place in you.  You won’t fear because the True Light will show you that God has not given you the spirit of fear.

In Guidance, Tina shared the example of the Father of Faith—Abraham—and how God guided him….

But, that aside, how can someone travel through life without knowing God?  God designed us for fellowship with Him.  Not for us to be separated from His perfect love. God chose a people to be called his own, a people to be set apart.  As God searched, He found Abram.  God calls Abram to leave his family…

In His Word – Our Light, Our Lamp, Cynda brings our attention to a couple of important points about our steps along God’s path….

The Word of God can make our steps clear.  The Bible should be used to help us walk the way God wants us to walk and live the way He wants us to live.  When we choose not to use His Word, our path becomes unclear.  We aren’t sure if our next step will be on a firm foundation or down a dangerous alley…

Your Word is a Lamp

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Your Word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

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Here is a simple chorus to help us memorize this Scripture.

His Word – Our Light, Our Lamp

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Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 NLT

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The simplicity of this verse astounds me.  So easy to say!  Yet often, it is very difficult to do.  According to Bible.org, the “Word” /(imrah) denotes anything God has spoken, commanded or promised—His thoughts, His commands, His promises give guidance and instruction for our lives.  The Word of God can make our steps clear.

The Bible should be used to help us walk the way God wants us to walk and live the way He wants us to live.  When we choose not to use His Word, our path becomes unclear.  We aren’t sure if our next step will be on a firm foundation or down a dangerous alley.

For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light,
and corrective discipline is the way to life.
Proverbs 6:23 HSCB

His Word shows us not only where to step but where NOT to step.  It doesn’t always light the whole path but it does provides direction for the next step or two.

I was pondering this verse during my morning walk.  As I started to pay attention to the path, I noticed it wasn’t always clear. Sometimes it was cluttered with leaves, making it hard to determine where the edges were. Other parts were shaded by tall trees blocking the sun.  And sometimes the path wasn’t clear because I had forgotten to remove my sunglasses.

My spiritual path is like that as well.  Sometimes it is cluttered with the junk I allow in my life.  Other times it is shaded by worldly views or my opinion. Often I cannot see it clearly simply because I have forgotten to spend enough time in His Word.   Then I begin to wonder things like:

  • Why do I neglect to consult His Word throughout the day?
  • Why do I only seek His guidance sometimes?
  • Am I too busy?
  • Do I trust my judgment more than His?

I don’t know; it could be all of the above.  But I do know that, when I neglect His Word, my steps falter.  The more time I spend in His Word, the more I study His Word, the more it will become an ingrained part of me.  Job 29:3 tells us “He lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.”  My path will be smoother because He will be directing my steps. And surely there won’t be nearly as many wrong turns, dark alleys, or so much time spent going in circles.  I know I need His Light but sometimes I forget to turn it on.  How about you?  Is your path well-lit?

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Let’s use Psalm 43:3 HCSB as our prayer:

Send Your light and Your truth; let them lead me.
Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to Your dwelling place.
– Amen, it is so!

The Word is Our Light

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Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

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Life is filled with choices that can either make you or break you.  At different stages of life you are presented with a variety of choices.  And to make such decisions without errors you need proper guidance—which only God’s Word can provide.

In John 1:9 the Bible says the Word of God is the True Light.  It is the Sword of the Spirit with which you pierce your way through the darkness of life.  If the True Light dwells richly in you then fear, defeat, failure, and all other results of darkness won’t have any place in you.  You won’t fear because the True Light will show you that God has not given you the spirit of fear.  You won’t be defeated because you will see that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.  You won’t be sick because you will discover that by His stripes you were healed.  The Word of God will reveal to you what God sees you to be.

The unfolding of your words gives light it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:130

It’s your responsibility to invest the Word of God in yourself by studying it regularly. If you can feed your mind with it and store it in your spirit, the Word of God will produce great results in you and you will glow with the glory of God.  You will have a clear direction in life and others will acknowledge that you are different.

We can live victoriously if we keep the Word of God in our hearts.  If there is any darkness in your family, academics, or business just take hold of the light of God’s Word and pierce through the darkness in the name of Jesus.

The Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths.

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Dear Lord, thank You for who You are to us.  Your love for us is so great…we bless You, dear Lord.  Thank You for the portion of Scripture this week that we need to walk in the understanding that it is only by Your Word we are given guidance. Thank You that You direct our paths in Jesus’ name.  We pray that You do not leave us alone;  guide and protect us always in Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen!

Guidance

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Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

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Did you know when people traveled at night in the old days, they would attach a lantern to their sandals?  This way the pathway was lit and they could travel safer.  During the day, robbers would lay in wait for their victims, but at night they were usually home with family and friends.

But, that aside, how can someone travel through life without knowing God?  God designed us for fellowship with Him.  Not for us to be separated from His perfect love. God chose a people to be called his own, a people to be set apart.  As God searched, He found Abram.  God calls Abram to leave his family and go to a land He will give him and will make Abram a father of many nations.  So Abram packed up his wife and his nephew went with him to this new place.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country
and your kindred and your father’s house
to the land that I will show you.
Genesis 12:1  

Abram never questioned his walk with God.  He choose to follow and believe no matter what…or how long a promise might take to be fulfilled.  Can we wait 30, 40, 50 or more years for a promise to be fulfilled?  We may not think so.  My friends, we serve a God who looks out for our best, not what we think is best.  He knows the bigger picture.

God promised Abraham and Sarah a son.   And, when Abraham was near 100 years old and Sarah was almost 90 years old, the promise was fulfilled.

And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age
at the time of which God had spoken to him.
Genesis 21:2

How awesome is God for proving His love for these two.  Sarah may have doubted, believing her body was past the time to provide children, but God had a bigger plan for these two.

My friends, God would do this and much more for us—if only we would believe and follow His good and righteous path for our lives.  We need to cultivate our love for Him by reading or listening to His word and by submitting to the teaching of others.

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Father, I thank You for loving us when we are not lovable.  Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who keeps us from walking too far away from You.  Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who fulfilled Your promise and showed us how to walk with You.  Do not give up on us.  Do not take your Spirit away from us when we stray or stubbornly look away. Forgive us for our rebellious nature and for sinning against You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Thy Word

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Your Word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

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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.
You are near me to the end.

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.

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.

Follow the Light

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Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Door
I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM. The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

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Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I AM the Light of the world.
Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness
but will have the Light of life.”
John 8:12

God makes a lot of promises and (unlike human promises) He keeps each one.  God created the very things we need to sustain physical life.  We find our purpose in this God.  We are meant to live our lives for this God.  Everything we are, and everything we will be, should be for Him and His glory.

The Bible is about this God we don’t see, but Who we can know oh, so intimately.  We have the privilege of getting to know the Creator of the world.  He tells us very clearly all about Himself in His “I AM” statements.  Thankfully, we don’t have to guess about the Lord of all Creation.

Jesus said He is the Light of the World.  Light emphasizes the details of things and promotes clarity.  We spend a majority of our time in the light.  During the day we have the sun, during the night we have electricity.  Most people don’t just sit in the dark.  If they do, typically something is wrong.  I don’t like the light when I have a migraine because it’s too bright and makes the pain worse.  When people are sad or depressed you might find them sitting in the dark.  People refer to bad times as “dark times.”

Light is important to us.  Jesus said He is the Light of the World. Therefore, Jesus is important to us; especially when it comes to navigating this dark world.  We do not have to aimlessly wonder around the world, merely existing and lost.  God will show us what we need to do.  God will show us where we need to be.  The key is to follow Him.  If God goes left and we go right, are we really following Him?  No.  Therefore, if He is not in the lead, then our Light is not in front of us, we cannot see.  We must face the Light at all times, and stay with Him for the Light to be of use to us.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105

We have no reason to wander.  No reason to be scared.  With one simple action we can help ourselves.  Follow the Light.  He will lead you.

Help Me Find It

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I don’t know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I’m finding I can’t do this on my own

I don’t know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I’m done fighting, I’m finally letting go

I will trust in You
You’ve never failed before
I will trust in You

If there’s a road I should walk
Help me find it
If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can You help me find it?
Can You help me find it?

I’m giving You fear and You give faith
I giving You doubt, You give me grace
For every step I’ve never been alone

Even when it hurts You’ll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath You’ve never let me go

I will wait for You
You’ve never failed before
I will wait for You

I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)
Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)
I lift my eyes again (was blind but now I see)
‘Cause You are all I need

Sidewalk Prophets – David Frey / Ben McDonald / Jason Ingram

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This is my ‘go to’ song—every time I find myself struggling with a decision, or wondering which path to take.  It is a reminder that God is in control (are you humming “God is in Control” by Twila Paris now?) and I need to seek His will instead of trying to solve the problem on my own.  Ephesians 1:17 (NLT) encourages us to ask “God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give <us> spiritual wisdom and insight so that <we> might grow in our knowledge of God.”  James 1:5 (NASB) states if we lack wisdom we are to “…ask of God, Who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given….”  God will help us find His will.

Often that requires patience.  I joke that I am not a very virtuous person because patience is not my strongsuit.  Pain, doubt and hurt make us want to rush ahead. We don’t like being in that valley.  But, many times, that is where we grow the most in our relationship with Christ.  He gives us faith and grace in those valleys. He never lets us go, He is always with us, as Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8 HCSB remind us:

Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them.
For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.
The Lord is the One who will go before you.
He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.
Do not be afraid or discouraged.

Sidewalk Prophets used the following Scriptures as a basis for this song:

  • Be still, and know that I am God; (the NASB version says “Cease striving”)

 Psalm 46:10a NIV

  • Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105 HCSB

  • Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

I love the Amplified version of Proverbs 3:6— “HE will direct and make straight and PLAIN your paths.”  If only we are willing to wait.

This quote from Bishop T.D. Jakes is a good reminder of what can happen if we don’t wait:

“People who don’t understand God’s timing, don’t get His rhythm.  They birth things prematurely, threatening the very lives of their God-given dreams.”

Waiting can be scary.  But I am more terrified of making the wrong decision.  So I gladly sing:

“I will wait for You
You’ve never failed before
I will wait for You
If there’s a road I should walk
Help me find it
If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can You help me find it?
Can You help me find it?”

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Thank You, Lord, that Your ways are not our own, that Your ways are higher, beyond our comprehension.  Thank You for directing our paths.  Teach us to wait for You…to seek Your wisdom and guidance instead of striving to resolve our issues on our own.  Your timing is perfect and You have such great plans for us.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen – it IS so!

My Lighthouse

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In my wrestling and in my doubts
In my failures You won’t walk out
Your great love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea
You are the peace in my troubled sea

In the silence, You won’t let go
In the questions Your truth will hold
Your great love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea
You are the peace in my troubled sea

My Lighthouse, my Lighthouse
Shining in the darkness, I will follow You
My Lighthouse, my Lighthouse
I will trust the promise
You will carry me safe to shore 
Safe to shore
Safe to shore 
Safe to shore

I won’t fear what tomorrow brings
With each morning I’ll rise and sing
My God’s love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea
You are the peace in my troubled sea

Fire before us, You’re the brightest
You will lead us through the storms

Songwriters/Performers: The Rend Collective Experiment

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God is our Lighthouse. He will lead us through the storms safely back to shore. He is the Light shining in the darkness. We must continue to keep our eyes focused on Him and His faithfulness in ALL things. The Light always shines on the darkness of life.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 ESV

I love Will Caldwell’s insight on God as our Lighthouse…

The Lord is as my lighthouse;
And I shall not lose my course.
He shows me the deep channel;
And guides me into the safe harbor
Where repairs are made to my hull.
The Lord does this;
It befits His name.

Though I sail past the horizon,
I fear no storm – I remember Your goodness.
The memory of You, Your guidance – I keep them close.

When I return to Your shores, there is the clear beacon,
A sure light spread before me:
Illumination to grace my path.
Only for Your brilliance will I look
All the days of my life.
And as long as I may sail,
I shall return to this alcove *

God is the Illumination that will grace our path but it is His Brillance that we must be looking for.  If we focus in on the storm instead of the Light we will lose our focus.  His Truth will hold if we venture off course and His love will lead you through.

It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

Revelation 21:11 NIV

God is the peace to hold onto in our troubled seas…

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NET

God is the light and in Him there is no darkness at all (as 1 John 1:5 ESV tells us).

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Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You that in our troubled seas You are the source of Light that will bring us safely back to shore.  I thank You that Your peace will lead us through.  May we keep our focus on You…in Jesus’ Name. AMEN!!!

 

* Psalm 23: A Modern Reading  http://www.js.emory.edu/BLUMENTHAL/psalm%2023%20Will.htm

Thy Word

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~  Listen while you read, please!  ~

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, and think I’ve lost my way
Still, You’re there right beside me
Nothing will I fear as long as You are near
Please be near me to the end

I will not forget Your love for me, and yet,
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus by my guide, and hold me to Your side,
And 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
…You’re the light unto my path

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Recently I have been going through a season of circumstances and situations which have been very stressful…which leads to temptation to worry and be anxious.  Truly God’s Word(s) have been a lamp and a light for me. Sometimes, we just are not sure what to do next (TRUE?).  We pray for wisdom and we ask for guidance.  God promises to give wisdom to those who ask (James 1:3) and we know that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide (John 16:13)…but, at times, we must wait.  And this is where the light of God’s Word has shone bright for me.

[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed
that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave
and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring.
Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
Psalms 27:13-14

And as I wait, I know that I must be diligent to seek God and His Word!  By spending time reading the Scriptures and considering and meditating on them, I am keeping myself ‘in the light.’  For me, it is very much like the dreary, cloudy days of winter…it is wearying.  But then we are blessed with a bright, sunshine-y day! And I find myself drawn to the window, numerous times during the day, just standing there…face lifted into that gorgous life-giving sunlight…simply soaking it in!

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes
More to be desired are they than gold…yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey or the honeycomb
Psalms 19:8 and 10

God’s Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. To walk in the light, we must know the Scriptures, we must understand the Word, and we must do the Will of God. Then we must walk out in the light and refrain from walking where there is no light.

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
Proverbs 6:23

If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness,
we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light,
as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:6,7

And so, just like on those few and precious sunny days of winter, we move toward and step into the light. God’s Word is a lamp for our feet so that we don’t fall and can see the truth of the situations we are in. It dispels the darkness and it lights our path.  We then can follow along that path that He has prepared for us!  Going along step by step…knowing that He has promised and will supply!