Bible Study Week: God's Word -The Lamp unto our feet (Psalm 119:105)

Greetings to all our cherished readers worldwide.

I trust you had a week filled with blessings and a spirit attuned to the divine. Today, I want to delve into Psalm 119, specifically focusing on verse 105. Back in my teenage years in Zimbabwe, I attended John Tallach Secondary School, a mission school established by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Our school's guiding motto was drawn from Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." This powerful affirmation adorned our school badges, a constant reminder throughout our school days. While I might not have fully grasped the depth of these words then, I now recognize that those formative years played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today. Being at that boarding school, I believe, was a part of God's protective plan, shielding me from various adversities and sowing seeds that would later bear fruit in my life. However, the focus today is not on my experiences at that school but on the profound meaning of the Bible verse itself.

Recently, I've been unpacking the traumas I've faced and seeking healing from God in various areas. I realized that these traumas could be categorized into three distinct groups: those resulting from interactions with people influencing me away from God's commandments, traumas stemming from naivety, and traumas inflicted by people we trust. God's Word serves as a shield against all these challenges. While we may perceive God's commandments as restrictive, they are, in reality, safeguards protecting us from abuse, wickedness, and evil.

A single lie, act of theft, or instance of immorality can expose us to a world of pain. By adhering to God's Word, we can avoid numerous unnecessary troubles. The Scriptures provide a reliable blueprint for daily living. Deviating from His Word leads us into darkness. Despite growing up in a religious school, reciting catechisms, and memorizing commandments, I lacked a practical understanding of how to live by Scripture. This ignorance allowed the enemy to lead me astray, causing deep wounds. Indeed, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10).

In God's Word, Christ teaches us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16-18), recognizing that we live among wolves—deceptive beings lurking in darkness. God's Word instructs us on being the light and seeking wisdom according to His ways. Following God's standards assures us that He will withhold no good thing from us (Psalm 84:11). Troubles arise when we choose a different path. God's Word, like a lamp, illuminates our path, enabling us to navigate through uncertainties step by step.

Choosing any other light, no matter how alluring, leads astray. God's Word is unwavering and sure. Imagine a journey through a dark forest with your lamp suddenly extinguished. Will you find your way? Certainly not. You might need to wait until morning, but will you be safe sitting in the darkness, unaware of potential dangers? God's light, His Word, must never go out in our lives. Like the wise bridesmaids, we must keep the lamps in our hearts filled with the oil of God's Word—reading it often and meditating upon it. When trouble comes, we know what to do because what we know about God, His Word, is enough to sustain us.

May the flame of God's Word never extinguish in your life, in Jesus' mighty name.