(Psalms 119:105 KJV) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.The encouraging point was that the written word of God can give us the direction that we need in life. I got that. Then I started thinking about lamps and lighting.
We live in the modern age where instant illumination is assumed. Did you wake up in the dark? Lean over and turn on the lamp. Are you entering a dark house? Reach out and flick a switch. Do you need to check out a sound in the yard at night? Grab a flashlight. If we don’t have instant access to light we feel like disaster has struck.
Not so in the past. In the days the Psalms were written they didn’t even have matches. They had to use flint to get a spark and keep sparking until they had ignition. When they finally got a flame they faced the danger of it being blown out. The amount of light was minor compared to what we are used to.
So when you think of a “lamp unto thy feet” don’t think of a floodlight illuminating as far as you can see. Think of a candle-lit dinner where you can’t even read the menu. Think about just enough to see where your next footstep is supposed to go. Think about not stepping in a hole. Think about moving at a speed regulated by what you an see.
God will give you the guidance you need, not the certainty you might want.
homo unius libri
excellent point.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good reminder for me even if it isn't original.
DeleteGrace and peace