Have you ever tried to maneuver your way around in the dark? It isn’t easy. You can’t see where to place your feet. You never know if you’re about to step on something or in something causing you trouble or great pain.
On my first trip to Ghana, we were leaving an event late at night. The village children wanted to walk me back to where we were staying. With the missionaries approval I was led off with a child holding each hand. They took me deep into the bush, telling me it was a short cut. Dark takes on a whole new meaning in Africa. There are no street lights or parking lot lights helping to guide your way. You might as well be in a building with no windows or doors in the dark trying to find your way around. I had a flashlight, but the batter was low, so I honestly had no more light than if I’d struck a match. At one point we crossed a bridge, and I use that term loosely, over a small creek. The children told me to be careful and watch where I put my foot because I didn’t want to fall through the bridge. Black cobras swam in the water below. I was thankful for the light I had, no matter how small, because it kept me from harm.
The Word is like a flashlight for us, lighting our way as we walk the path of life. Psalm 119:5 says “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” The Word of God illuminates where we are, the choices we’re facing, and points out the right one to make. It is there to protect us. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” which makes it helpful along our journey.
If I had simply carried my flashlight with me through the bush but didn’t turn it on, it would have been of no use to me. The same is true of the Word of God. We have to use it for its intended purpose in order to benefit from it. Carrying a copy of the Bible in our car or purse without using it won’t do much for us. Unlike a flashlight, if we study and meditate on the Word of God, it becomes a part of who we are and we’ll have it when we need to use it [Psalm 119:11].
Take some time to store the Word in your heart today. You never know when you’ll need it and this way you won’t have to leave home without it!