Psalm 119:105-112

Verse 105 carries both a literal and metaphorical application. I have been told that in biblical times, people would tie small oil lamps to their ankles to provide light, especially on the narrow, treacherous, rocky paths of the ancient world. These lamps would swing out with each step, providing just enough light for the traveler’s next step.

Metaphorically, this shows me that our lives are made up of individual steps and emphasizes the importance of placing each one carefully. If we are too focused on the future, we may fail to place our feet where we need to today in order to get there.

A few years ago, we went on a family cruise and took an excursion to climb a volcano on St. Kitts. We had a guide, but not far into the climb, the kids wanted to move at a quicker pace than my husband and I could manage. The guide told the kids to stay on the path and follow the markers while he stayed back with my husband, who was bringing up the rear. I was somewhere between the kids and my husband. Long story short, I missed a trail marker and attempted to climb a rock bed that seemed to be in the direction of the kid’s voices. I found it too difficult, so I turned around and started heading back down. The problem was, I was heading down a dry creek bed that I quickly recognized was unfamiliar. Thankfully, I stopped and retraced my steps until I found the path again. Had I continued in the wrong direction, I would have truly gotten lost. There were many lessons I learned that day, but a few that stand out are the importance of following the markers, staying on the path, and not getting ahead of your Guide.

This is very much like our walks with the Lord. The Word of God illuminates our next steps. I love this analogy because it reminds me that God gives me what I need to know for today—just my next step. It is so easy to get ahead of ourselves.

If we take care with each step, God will take care of the destination. As we daily spend time daily in the Word of God, He gives us illumination that will guide us through the day. I cannot tell you how many times God has answered my prayers and given me direction through His Word that was applicable for that very day. I have been amazed and often wondered at His timing—but then again, He is God!

Notice how the psalmist states that his life constantly hangs in the balance. That shows the importance of each step we take. Our lives are made up of all the individual steps we have taken thus far. If we find ourself somewhere we  do not want to be, we may need to retrace our steps and find the path again.