Your word is a lamp to my feet
Psalm 119:105 ESV
and a light to my path.
In our world of streetlamps, indoor lighting, and the ever-present glow of the smartphone screen; we rarely encounter true darkness as they did in ancient times. When the new moon rose over the ancient near east, or when the stars were obscured by cloud cover, one would struggle to find their way around in the near total darkness. To navigate this darkness, the ancients used oil lamps that consisted of a clay bowl and a wick that burned through a reserve of olive oil.
While the light of an ancient lamp was a great improvement over stumbling around blindly in the dark, it is worth noting that ancient lamps gave only enough light for one or two steps at a time. The lamp could illuminate the immediate surroundings, but any dangers that lurked far off in the distance would still be shrouded in darkness. This step by step is similar to the ways in which God’s Word illuminates our path in life.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
Proverbs 6:23 ESV
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life
While we might prefer google maps and a well lit highway, Christ calls us to follow him step by step in faith. We trust that the good shepherd will lead us to green pastures and beside still waters, but we must also trust him when he leads us through thick wilderness, bitter darkness, and even through the valley of the shadow of death (see: Psalm 23:2-4). All the while, we have the light of the lamp that is God’s Word to help us see the snares and obstacles along the path. We may not know what is around the corner or over the hill, but we have the illumination we need for the next step and the good shepherd to guide us and protect us along the way.
We may be able to drive out the physical darkness with our modern technology, but we can do nothing to address the spiritual darkness that clouds our minds and our hearts. We may not think we fear the dark, but there is a darkness so prevalent that we no longer notice the absence of light.
“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
John 3:19-21 ESV
The darkness of sin has blinded man for eons but a light is coming. Indeed the light has already come, and like the rising of the morning star it will continue to drive out the shadows until they have no place to hide.
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts
2 Peter 1:19 ESV
In the meantime, we continue to hold fast to our lamp, and as it guides us through this world one step at a time, we allow our good works to shine forth and call others to join us in glorifying God.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 ESV
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