Psalm 119 has long been one of my favorite psalms because of its emphasis on the Word of God. God implanted a love for His Word into my heart that has been the impetus for much of what I have done for the Lord. Today’s verse is one most people have heard many times.

In the Bible, light and darkness are used symbolically. Light is good and darkness is evil. One of the things we come to realize as we grow in faith is that this world is a dark place spiritually. We don’t like to think about the reality that most people in this world are walking in the darkness of being spiritually alienated from God. Because so many people around us are walking in spiritual darkness; their darkness creates shadows of darkness around us.

Spiritual darkness is like physical darkness in that you cannot see where you are going. Someone in spiritual darkness does not have God inside them. The Bible teaches us that God is light. Without God, all that is left is darkness. Even a ‘good person’ who does not know God is walking in spiritual darkness. There are some people who seem to know where they are going in life, even without God. But they are no different than the blind person who has learned how to navigate a space. They get along well there but would be lost in a different space.

God’s Word, the Bible is described in our verse as a lamp and a light. With it we can see into the spiritual realm of this life and world. With God’s Word we can navigate through the darkness of this world confidently. It allows us to see the world for what it is and helps guide us safely through.

If you have ever tried to walk in the darkness, then you know it is good to have a lamp. There is something implied in this verse that we don’t want to miss. If I am walking in the dark, I need to have a light where I can get to it. Having a light in my house or in my car wouldn’t be very useful as I am trying to walk in the dark. Just having a Bible is not going to help me as I am walking through the spiritual darkness of this world.

For God’s Word to be a lamp for my feet and a light for my path it needs to be inside of me; a part of me. That happens as we read, study, memorize, and share God’s Word. In the book of Job, he said he needed God’s Word more than he needed food. A regular diet of God’s Word will fill your life with more of God’s light. And then as you walk around through the spiritual darkness of this world you will see the light of God shining out of you and guiding you.

Letting your light shine has the added benefit of helping others to see in the spiritual darkness of this world. One tiny light in the darkness may help someone to find their way to the love of God. Jesus, help us to fill our lives with the light of Your Word.

Daniel 4:1-37; 2 Peter 1:1-21; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 28:17-18