Lamps & Light

Psalms 119:105 NIV

Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Have you ever dissected this scripture?

At first pass, it seems like both parts are talking about the same thing. But when I really started thinking about it, I realized the first part is referring to something very different than the second half.

The first half has to do with me following scripture in my decision making. The second half has to do with God’s power and purpose, His plans and timing.

‘A lamp to my feet’ is an action I take.

A lamp is something I have to hold myself.

I have to acquire the lamp, then I have to light it and I have to carry it.

I have to actually move or take action.

I have to take that first step for the lamp to be of any use, right?

The lamp (God’s Word) lights up my feet where I can see them. I’m not looking around. I’m in the word and I’m concentrating on staying in peace.  My role in this life of being a Christian entrepreneur is to read, meditate on and know scripture so it guides my decisions and choices.

• Where do I plant seed?
• Who is my ideal client?
• Where do I find them?
• Have I laid my business on the alter and allowed everything I previously considered in my own power to be burned up?
• Do I trust God even when I can’t figure out where things are going?

These are the decisions and choices the lamp illuminates.

Then there’s the second half of the scripture…… ‘a light on my path.’

A lamp is something I carry. Light is something God created (Genesis 1:3).

This part has everything to do with complete surrender to God and trusting His plan, will and timing for me and my business. It also creates a relationship between me and scripture.

The light on my path ….. that’s all God. It’s Him bringing just enough light so I can safely and without concern, take a few steps.

His light on my path means that I can CLEARLY see a little bit in front of me, not the entire path. The key word there is ‘CLEARLY.’

Wouldn’t it be great if I could see the whole path before me? But I can’t. God has to keep me on a short leash or I’ll take off running and most usually in the wrong direction. He gives me the revelations I need for the near future as I pray and read His Word.  And when I say the near future, sometimes, that’s by the hour….not the day or month….sometimes, literally…. just for the next hour. This requires an enormous amount of trust on my part. (PS: I fail at this a LOT.)

Here it is again………

Psalms 119:105 NIV      Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

There is light for my immediate choices and decisions by carrying a lamp – the Word.

God lights up my path when I study the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to bring revelation.

Both the lamp and the light refer to His Word, the difference is the application.

Have you ever thought about this scripture this way? If so, what did you get from it?

Very Humbly Yours,

Jennifer Edwards