God's Direction

Psalm 119:105 has a great deal to teach us about how God directs the lives of believers by His word: “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”  There is so much here worthy of our notice; this verse sums up in just a few words the comprehensive manner of God’s direction.  The first thing we see is that God’s word is compared to light and a lamp.  The sun guides us in the daytime, while a lamp is used in the darkness of night.  Daylight and darkness are opposites.  From this we learn that the word of God directs in every situation, in every condition.  Second, God’s word lights our path.  A path leads somewhere; so the word leads us to our goal, which is the enjoyment of God both now and forever.  God’s word not only shows us our goal, it also reveals the means by which we can reach that goal.  Third, God’s word guides our feet along the path.  The Bible is sufficient to direct both the entire course of our lives, and each step along the way.  Thomas Manton wrote: “The world is a dark place.  Ay; but now, here is a light that shines in a dark place, and that is the Holy Scripture, it shows us our way to heaven, and prevents us from stumbling into hell.”