A Light Beam On Dark Paths

Psalms 119:105-112 KJV Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. [106] I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. [107] I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. [108] Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. [109] My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. [110] The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. [111] Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. [112] I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

Psalms 119:105 MSG By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.

I. INTRODUCTION—THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE

-I again find myself at a place where the love for Scripture has captured me again. I have just returned from the Atlanta Doctrinal Conference and was very much caught up with the sessions of Brother Dan Seagraves. Much of his time was spent on the relationship that Jesus Christ has with the Psalms.

-In fact, I learned that the book of Psalms is the most quoted book in the New Testament followed by Isaiah and then Deuteronomy.

-As I listened to him, my mind was again drawn back into the concept of the power of the Word in the believer’s life. You can literally unleash God’s power, one verse at a time, if you are willing to pay the price and get into it.

-Consider the scope of Scripture that is expressed in Psalm 19:

Psalms 19:7-14 KJV The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. [8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. [9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. [11] Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. [12] Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. [13] Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. [14] Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

-At the conference, I again found myself drawn to the command to “preach the Word!” and never have I wanted to do it more than now. Somehow I want to get the Word in your heart and your head.

-There is power in the Word!!!

• Preachers have lifted it and churches have been revived by it.

• It has been scattered about the world and the world has experienced its illumination.

• The Bible gives light to pulpits making them fortresses of truth.

• It draws men with conviction to tear-soaked altars of repentance.

• It changed John Bunyan’s prison into a church.

• It helped John Huss bear the pain when he was burning at the stake.

• It helped others as they climbed the scaffolds to be hung for their faith.

• It helped John Knox strike fear in the heart of the Queen.

-We gather our sermon title from the paraphrase, The Message, by Eugene Peterson. . . . Light Beams on Dark Paths. . .

II. THE WORD OF GOD GUIDES US

A. Guides Our Feet in Our Walk—119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

-The Bible is our book. It is a book that is written to the Church and despite its great detractors from the world, it will never pass away. If you do not have a love for Scripture, I would seriously question whether a true conversion has taken place.

-The Bible uses a word for people in this condition—lost! The man who discovers the light beam on the dark path is a man who will find his way. In the passage from Psalm 119, we can note that the Book can guide us, guard us, and hearten us.

-The picture the Psalmist paints is one from the ancient days. Those who were travelling at night would have shoes designed in such a way that lamps could be attached to their feet. Because of this, their steps were guided by the lamp and their path was brightened by the light.