This is part 1 of a 9-part series. View the entire series here.
Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. – Psalm 119:105 NLT
Introduction
Imagine you’re walking through a park. The sun is setting and it’s beginning to grow dark. You have a fair sense of direction, but you can’t see well enough to get back home. If you wait too long, you won’t be able to see your hand in front of your face, let alone feel confident taking another step.
Fear begins to well up inside you. Your brain is desperately fighting off panic—the last thing that would be helpful for you now. You look around for any hope, but not even the faintest flicker of light can be seen in any direction. Then suddenly you remember…you prepared for this moment.
You reach into your pocket and pull out a flashlight. You flip the switch and in an instant the path before you is illuminated. The world around you is still dark, and you’re tempted to imagine what lurks in the shadows. But the way forward is clear, and that small beam of light is where you choose to lock your eyes.
You slow your breathing. Clenching the flashlight tightly, you take the next step forward with newfound determination.
The Light of God’s Word
The Bible is not just another book. It is the divinely inspired words of God––a beautiful picture of God at work in and through humanity. Each page, story, and character all carry a single thread that leads to the person of Jesus Christ.
We can confidently trust in the Bible. For thousands of years, God’s people have diligently passed on stories of God’s faithfulness, character, and nature. Through meticulous keeping, the words all relay ultimate truth––truth about God, the universe, and even us. This Word is the light that guides our feet. When all else seems dark, the Bible shines a light on our path.
Scripture as a Discipline
Reading the Bible should be more than a passive interest. It should be a centerpiece to how we form our view of God, the world, and others. Through careful studying and purposeful application, it is meant to influence every aspect of our lives.
When we see its full purpose, we begin to understand just how much God wants us to use the Bible to build our spiritual strength. Build margin into your daily life to exercise your mind and strengthen your heart by reading God’s Word. It’s a process that requires dedication and constant attention. But the results are well worth it––a renewed way of thinking, an endless well of love, radical compassion for others, and most importantly, a deeper relationship with the God of the universe.
