When I picture God’s word being a lamp for my feet, my twenty-first century mind imagines a lamp shining a bright path at least ten feet in front of me. However, scripture was not written by a person with a twenty-first century mindset. This passage was written by a person with a first century mindset. Their lamps were very different from ours.

When I visited an ancient town in Israel, I was given a first century lamp as a souvenir. These lamps had the capacity to shed light one foot in front of the person carrying them. It was just enough light for the person to be able to stop themselves from an injury directly in front of them, but not nearly enough light to see further than the next step ahead.

This metaphor vividly portrays the concept of living by faith and not by sight. This concept emulates not worrying about tomorrow but trusting in God’s sovereignty and control. We may not know our future or be able to control the circumstances around us, but God’s word gives us enough light to walk through every moment under His protection. His word will guide and direct our steps. We just have to believe He will continue doing so for every consecutive step.

Be blessed,

Noree

Photo Credit: http://www.epalladioartworkshop.com/OILLAMPS/index.htm