Guided!

Guided!

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

The Context and Focus:

The verse above is taken from the longest chapter in the bible, which has 176 verses. For those with a Bible version that splits the chapter into parts, the entire chapter is divided into 22 sections of 8 verses each, and each section has a reference to the Word of God, or the power and ability of God to change lives by His Word and nature. Today's verse is actually the first verse of its own section, and it highlights the nature of the Word, its power, its impact as well as the right response expected by God from all who come in contact with the Word. First, we see quite clearly that it refers to 'Your Word', not any man's. Actually, we are made in the likeness of God, and we carry the same creative power God has. By our words, we can build up, and by the nature of sin that has now come in, our words can also destroy lives. However, we take this power from the One who made us, not of our own creation or making. We will not amount to much outside the influence and direction of the One who formed us, so we must find our way to God, if we will find our way through life.

The Message:

Then, the Word, which we have identified as being of God is then presented as both a lamp and a light. An interesting definition for a lamp is 'a device for giving light, especially one that has a covering or is contained within something'. In that definition, we find both the device that gives light, and the light itself that is also defined as 'the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible'. The Word of God is both the device and the agent that helps me see, and makes things visible. It is a different thing to be helped to see, and it is even a different thing for a thing that is usually hidden from sight to be made visible to my eyes. I could look intently for a thing and not find it, yet by simple guidance or revelation, I could find a thing that had been hidden away for years. I could even be the only one to see a thing, yet another person could be given grace to see the same thing from another perspective. This is what the Word of God is: it helps me see, and also makes hidden things visible. 

The Conclusion:

It is first a personal encounter, as well as an impact statement, whereby even things around me point to the power and ability of God to change people, situations and circumstances, as well as destinies. It has to be emphasised again that it is first personal: you read 'my feet' and 'my path' in the verse above. A life that will make public impact must first have private impact and direction. Like the writer of the psalm, anything I do or fail to do will not change the ability of the Word of God. It would only mean that its impact will be limited in my own life, whilst it will continue to change lives that allow Him work in and through them. The Word of God is the instrument of change, the beacon of hope, and the bearer of light, and by it, I am led down the path of purpose. I am helped to focus on what God wants me to be and do: other people's stories would encourage and not distract me. My personal dealings with God become the instruments by which God can change the world He has placed me in. Would you also allow work in you a work that will then bless the world around you? God's time of favour is here.