Light of the World: Day Eighteen
A Lit Path
Read Psalm 119:105-106
Yesterday we looked at the call for Jesus’ disciples to be the light of the world by exhibiting good deeds so that our heavenly Father would be glorified. We were reminded that good works are not commanded in order to get into the family of God but rather, good works are commanded because one is already in the family of God. Today, we’re heading back to the Old Testament to a passage that is very familiar to many Christians.
As we seek to be the light of the world, to be cities on a hill who are filled with good works, the question may arise, what are good works? This passage instructs us that the way we know how to live is by looking into God’s instructions for life: the Bible. The Bible lights our path by teaching us how we ought to live in obedience to our Creator. While some may take this passage out of context, as though the Bible is a magic 8 ball for one’s career, what the psalmist is saying here is that the Bible teaches us how to live obedient and pleasing lives for the glory of God in regards to morality and our character. This is why verse 106 is so important! The word of God is the lit path which shows us how to keep God’s righteous rules.
While it may be hard to know what is the best and right thing to do in the myriad decisions and circumstances we find ourselves in every day, the Bible certainly illuminates how to be obedient to God no matter the time, circumstance or season.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification
1 Thessalonians 4:3a
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world
Philippians 2:14-15
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
(Emphasis mine on all the above passages)
These are just a handful of the instructions in God’s word that are commanded of Christians no matter their circumstances. Doing chores around the house? Do it for the glory of God. Received disappointing news? Rejoice always. Find out you have to do something you don’t want to do? Do it without grumbling or complaining. Lose your job? Give thanks in all circumstances. Tempted to be discontent? Give thanks to God. Experiencing fear and anxiety? Pray without ceasing. Feel like being lazy in your pursuit of holiness? Remember God’s will is for you to be more like Jesus (sanctified).
The Bible is sufficient for all our needs in instructing, guiding, and teaching us how to live lives that are pleasing to God. Unfortunately, it’s easy to neglect our spiritual disciplines (Bible reading and prayer) when we are out of our normal routine (vacation time, Winter Break, world-wide pandemics, etc.), but followers of Jesus must be committed to letting the word of God light their path. For someone who is in the Bible regularly and is familiar with what it says, is a person who is not easily shaken, who has built their house upon the rock.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24-27
Charles Spurgeon is known as the Prince of Preachers. God gave him an incredible gift of teaching the Bible in a way that was helpful, convicting, and encouraging. In his discerning way, Spurgeon noticed a correlation between a person’s time in the word and the status of their life:
A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.
– Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon wasn’t suggesting that those who are in their Bible everyday will be protected from tragedy or trial. Rather, his point is that when tragedy or trial strikes, the person with the well-worn Bible will not crumble. The Christian with a well-worn Bible will continue walking down the lit path that God has provided through his word while also gaining the courage and hope that is provided in the pages of Scripture. As the days around us grow darker, let us be committed to being people whose paths are well-lit because our Bibles are well-worn.
Action Point: Praise God today for preserving his word and giving you such easy access to it. Realize that you are in a privileged position in history to have the type of access to the Bible that you do. Commit afresh to spending more time in the word and set a measurable and attainable goal in order to accomplish this.