JANUARY 27, 2010

WHEN THE BIBLE

IS YOUR LIGHT

Scripture Reading--Psalm 119:105

"Thy word is a lamp

unto my feet, and a light

unto my path."

Imagine living in the days before electricity. Imagine no streetlights, headlights, floodlights, or flashlights. When the sky grew dark at night, it became pitch black. Unless the sky glowed with moonlight, no one had a way of knowing where he was going.

The only way to see the path was with a lamp, which one carried or strapped to his ankle. This lamp became the light that made the path visible. What's so interesting is that the light usually shined for only a short distance. The bearer of the light couldn't see a mile or even 100 yards ahead; he saw only a few steps. Yet if he allowed the lamp to lighten his path, he could get where he wanted to go.

The Bible describes itself as a "lamp unto my feet." In other words, God's Word is one of the ways God guides us to follow His will. By the way, God's Word is His will; the will of God will never contradict His Word. Some folks speak of knowing God's will, but what they say contradicts God's Word. Mark it down. If what you assume to be God's will is in violation of His truth, it isn't God's will.

In the Bible, we find principles, examples, illustrations, and direct commands that clearly show us what God desires. A careful study of God's Word is a great blessing in knowing God's will. The Bible becomes like a directional arrow and like a stop sign warning us of danger.

When you are facing a decision, go to the Word of God and allow God to "instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go" ( Ps. 32:8 ). Even in our modern day of electricity, we need a good light to show us the path.

ASSIGNMENT: List several Bible principles that are helpful when you need to make a decision.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 38-42