Before flashlights, people carried torches, candles and even little oil lamps to see by. Now we have much higher-tech gear readily available. The flashlight was one of those super-bright high-tech gizmos. The internet ad made some incredible promises. The lamp shone with an incredible number of lumens and implied you could see clearly for miles. I don’t doubt it was bright, but I’ll take the rest with the proverbial grain of salt. There’s no doubt, though, that a good light makes walking in the dark easier and safer.
The flashlight commercial got me thinking about a very familiar Bible passage.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
It’s true that God’s Word illustrates the path we should take, but I find this verse to be profound.
I’ve been told that a little oil lamp was sometimes carried at night. I’ve heard sermon illustrations that say it was carried on a cord, but I can’t find any historical references to support the idea of a cord. Carried in the hand, or on a cord, a tiny terra cotta lamp would not give a great deal of light, often just enough to see where the next footstep would be.
At times God doesn’t give us the full understanding of His Word or the path He wants us to take. He does, however, give us what we need to move forward.
We don’t need to see the entire picture; God does, and we can trust Him all the way.
At times we can see and move many steps. Other times the way isn’t as clear, but God walks with us,
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV
No matter how dark the path, or how dim the light may seem, the Lord walks with you. Do not be afraid.
Trust Him.
Be blessed
SUMMARY
God doesn’t always show us the whole path, but He gives us enough light for the next step. No matter how dark it gets, we can trust the Lord who walks with us.
TAKEAWAY
God’s Word is a lot like that little oil lamp. It may not light up the whole road, but it shows us where to put our next step.
We don’t need to see the entire picture. God does, and we can trust Him all the way.
Some days the way is clear, and some days it isn’t, but we never walk it alone. The Lord walks with us, so there’s no need to be afraid.
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