“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

God’s Word is represented as a lamp for our feet.

It is a “lamp” – not a blazing sun, nor even a lighthouse; but a plain, common lamp or lantern which one can carry about in the hand.

It is a lamp for “my feet” – not throwing its beams afar, nor illumining a hemisphere; but shining only on the one little bit of road upon which the pilgrim’s feet are walking.

The law of Divine guidance is, “Step by step.” One who carries a lantern on a country road at night sees only one step before him. If he takes that step, he carries his lantern forward, and thus makes another step plain. At length, he reaches his destination in safety, without once stepping into darkness. The whole way has been made light for him, even though only a single step of it at a time. This illustrates the usual method of God’s guidance.

If this is the way God guides us, it ought never to be hard for us to find our duty. It never lies far away, and it is never inaccessible to us; it is always near! It never lies out of our sight, in the darkness; for God never puts our duty where we cannot see it. The thing that we think may be our duty – but which is still lying in obscurity and uncertainty – is not our duty yet, whatever it may be a little farther on. The duty for the very moment is always clear, and that is as far as we need to concern ourselves; for when we do the little that is clear, we will carry the light on, and it will shine on the next moment’s step.

Jesus said, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness.” Prompt, unquestioning, undoubting following of Christ takes all the perplexity out of Christian life and gives unbroken peace. There is never a moment without its duty; and if we are living near to Christ and following Him closely, we shall never be left in ignorance of what He wants us to do!

Our daily prayer should be, “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me!” (Psalm 119:133).

With the lamp of His own Word, what is the Lord laying upon your heart as your Christian duty for today?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on this article! Feel free to leave your reflections and ask your questions below.

God bless you and your family, this day and always.

All for our King’s glory,
Christian

photo by Ruby-Rose  |  Lightstock.com

This post is another installment of Miller’s Monday Musings, a weekly series that is published every Monday on my website. The series features selected writings that have been adapted from the works of James Russell Miller (1840-1912), a much-beloved Christian author and pastor who is well-remembered for his practical thoughts on Christian home and family life. Learn more about this weekly series by clicking here.