Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119: 105, NKJV
Heavenly Father, please speak to our hearts through Your word; in the name of Jesus! Amen
Yesterday we spoke primarily about the darkness that exists in our world. Today we want to turn our attention to the light that God’s Word provides for our feet, as we travel along in this dark world. We will begin by looking at the origin, and purpose, of God’s Word. Speaking to young Timothy, Paul’s “son in the faith,” the apostle penned the following words: “You have known the Holy Scriptures ever since you were a little child. They are able to teach you how to be saved by believing in Christ Jesus. God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture a man of God can be prepared to do every good thing” (2 Timothy 3: 15-17, NIRV).
There we have it. “God has breathed life into all Scripture.” So Scripture has its origin in God. In several other devotionals, we said that although God inspired the message, He did not dictate the words. Men were allowed to use their vocabulary to transmit God’s message. That is a fearful undertaking. That is why the Bible is such an extraordinary Book. It is like no other; because it is the product of God and human beings working together in concert to produce a life-giving, life-changing, literary masterpiece!
No wonder the psalmist exclaims in Psalm 119: 130, the following words: “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” The message of salvation is so profound that to the “wise” of this world (1 Corinthians 1: 20b, 21, 27) it is foolishness; and yet it is so simple that even a child can understand it. Paul said that Timothy had “known the Scriptures ever since [he was] a little child!” The light that Sacred Scriptures shed upon our path as we study, helps us to attain unto salvation by believing the testimony they give of Jesus Christ. “You search the Scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5: 39).
The apostle goes on to enumerate the benefits we receive from the Word of God:
“Useful for teaching the truth.” As we study God’s Word, the written Word, and the Incarnate Word, unite; and the light that shines forth from that union leads us into all truth. “If anyone wills to do His will, He shall know concerning the doctrine whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7: 17).
It “[corrects] our mistakes;” and [makes] our lives whole again.” Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17: 7).
It “[trains] us to do what is right.” The ordinances of the Lord is sure, and all of them are righteous…By them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19: 9b, 11).
“By using Scripture [we] can be prepared to do every good thing.” “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you…Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you…” (Deuteronomy 6: 1, 2).
God has given us light, by His grace, let us walk in it!