TWO PATHS

One of the first scriptures that I memorized was,“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV). However, until recently, I had taken this scripture at face value and never considered its deeper meaning.

When we look through both the Old and New Testaments we see many references to this scripture. David, in writing Psalm 119, was speaking to God when he first stated, “Your Word…”  We know that “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1 KJV). Jesus, the incarnate Word, was with the Father from the beginning and became man to bring His Word to the earth.

David then tells God that His Word is a lamp to my feet. When we carry His Word, we carry Christ who is the light of the world. And it is our feet that carry and enable us to bring the good news of Christ to others. The prophet Isaiah said, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings good tidings, who proclaims salvation…” (Isiah 52:7 NKJV).

One hundred years later the prophet Nahum prophesied, “Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!” (Nahum 1:15 NIV). One thousand years later, the apostle Paul repeated, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15 NIV). In other words, the feet represent the action of a person sharing the gospel with others.

Paul told us to put on the full armor of God. Of those six pieces of armor, we are to put on the “shoes of readiness” to carry the gospel of peace wherever we go (Ephesians 6:15). Jesus and His disciples walked many miles to share the Gospel’s good news.

Next, His Word is a light to our path, for “all the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies” (Psalm 25:10). He promises to lead us in paths we have not known and make darkness light before us and make the crooked places straight (Isiah 42:16). We are encouraged to consider and carefully watch the path of [our] feet, so that all [our] ways will be steadfast and sure (Proverbs 4:26). God lights the good path that He has chosen for us. A path of our own choosing is devoid of God’s light and leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13).

One of my favorite poems is “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. In the poem he speaks of a road (path) that diverged into two. He tells the reader that he stood looking down both roads trying to choose which one to travel. He then decided to take the road "less traveled," a decision which "made all the difference." God has given us the freedom to choose between His path and our own path. Which of the two paths we choose will make all the difference.

PRAYER: FATHER, You gave mankind Your Son, Jesus—the Light of the world. The Light came into the world, but the people loved the darkness rather than the Light because their works were evil (John 3:19). Help me to stay on Your path, for You light the way and make the crooked places straight. In Jesus’ name, amen.