Psalm 119:105

I am now ready to delve into the next octave of Psalm 119 bearing the title of the Hebrew letter Nun.  From what I can gather, this letter is pronounced like our word noon.  As I am writing this I am having some difficulty coming up with a comic twist on this sound.  Perhaps it is because it is late in the afternun and my wits are winding down with the day.  Ooooh!  It seems that with each letter my comic relief is becoming more of a burden than a relief.  Perhaps I had best get on with the Biblical instruction.

Psalms 119:105  ¶NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

This world is a dark place.  Its inhabitants sit in darkness.  When our Lord came into this world, He was a light shining in that darkness.

Matthew 4:16  The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

John 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5        And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

If all is dark about us and we have no light to guide us, then we stumble about not knowing where we are going.

John 11:10  But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

John 12:35  …he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

But thanks be to God He has not left us to stumble about in the darkness.  He has given us His word that is a lamp and a light.

The word of God is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. That is, it provides me with guidance and direction.  It helps me make decisions as to what course to take.  Therefore, unlike one stumbling about in the darkness, I know where I am going and, equally important, I know where I am not going.  The commandments of God’s word mark out the boundaries so that I reject any counsel or decision that takes me outside those bounds.  Just as light brings us relief when we are in a dark place, so do the Scriptures bring us relief when they shine a light on a difficult situation and help us make the right the decision.  I love the way Charles Spurgeon expresses this fact:

“Ignorance is painful upon practical subjects; it breeds indecision and suspense, and these are uncomfortable:  the word of God, by imparting heavenly knowledge, leads to decision, and when that is followed by determined resolution, as in this case, it brings with it great restfulness of heart.”   

I know from personal experience just what Mr. Spurgeon is talking about.

But let us not overlook the first person pronouns of this verse.  The psalmist spoke of my feet and my path.  God’s word was a lamp and light to him individually and personally.  Have you ever read a passage of Scripture and it seemed as if it was written specifically for you addressing your particular need?  It was!  Have you ever heard a sermon that you thought was tailor-made just for you? It was!  God’s word is lamp to your feet and a light to your path. 

As we have worked our way through these verses we have seen the various ways that they testify of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the subject matter of all Scripture (John 5:39).  The reason the Scriptures are a lamp and a light is that they testify of Him Who is the Light.  Indeed, our Lord is the "dayspring from on high" that came into this world “to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).  Christ is the light that shines through the pages of the Scriptures. 

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 12:46  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

2 Corinthians 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

No artist could ever capture and convey light like the Scriptures capture and convey the light of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Bible presents Christ, a dazzling, glorious light to those who have eyes to see Him. And that light dispels the darkness and shows us the path from here to home.

But this lamp and light will do you no good if you do not heed it and follow it. 

2 Peter 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts….

If you follow the light of God’s word in a given situation, you will find it giving you light for the next situation you face and the next after that.

Proverbs 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

But if you fail to follow the light God gives you in His word, you will find yourself in darkness.

John 12:35  Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

Proverbs 4:19  The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

When we do not follow the light that is provided, God judges us by turning us over to the darkness of blindness so that we cannot see the light shining before us.  Therefore, beware lest these fearful words be true of you:

John 12:37  But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

38  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

39  Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Isaiah 29:10  For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

11  And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed….