Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (NLT)

Camping in the mountains without one is a disaster. When my brother, daughter, and I backpacked in the mountains, our goal was for our packs to be as light as possible. Among the things that I chose to leave out, a flashlight wasn't one of them. In addition to the flashlight, I'd carry extra batteries — especially if we were camping in the winter months. Flashlights came in handy when preparing a meal before daylight or after dark, when making a bathroom trip during the night, when looking for something in my tent, and when reading before I fell asleep. Camping in the mountains without some type of light would have been unthinkable.

Navigating pathways when camping can be tenuous: I've walked many trails in the mountains, and fumbled around many campsites after dark. Without a light, I could stumble over roots, fall, and injure a body part. Trying to find my Bible in a dark tent isn't fun, nor is trying to fix a stuck zipper on my sleeping bag, or trying to cook breakfast or supper without a light.

I sometimes feel that I'm fumbling around in the dark as I experience life. Darkness descends when a family member dies, when a trusted friend betrays me, or when a spouse walks out the door never to return. Darkness happens when the boss delivers the pink slip, or when the doctor delivers bad news, or when the professor stamps C in my grade slot when I tried so hard for an A. Darkness surrounds me when depression sets in and happiness steps out.

Whatever my darkness, God's Word will provide a lamp for my way, shining brightly so I can determine where I need to step to avoid falling and injuring myself. It will shine the light of peace on my troubled situations and illuminate happiness where sadness has settled. God's Word reminds me Who's in control, that life does have meaning, and that a vibrant relationship with Christ is the way to experience peace in spite of my circumstances.

What are you using to light your path?

Prayer: Father, may we trust in You and Your Word to guide us along the dark paths of life. Amen.

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About the author:

Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
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