Every year at Vacation Bible School, we would say our pledges. After doing the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Christian Flag, we would recite together the Pledge to the Bible:
I pledge allegiance to the Bible; God’s Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will hide God’s word in my heart that I might not sin against God.
I memorized these words and still today they are ingrained in my mind. It was a few years into the VBS years that I realized we were not reciting the words of some random pledge, but that we were proclaiming the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 119:105-106, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.”
At the Sat Tal Christian Ashram Estate, each night after our fellowship time, I make my way to the room where I am staying. Part of the path is rocky with stones protruding up from the ground. In the times where I am walking on this portion of the path, I tend to place my flashlight more at my feet, with an occasional pan of the environment around me. The light at my feet is to assure I pick my feet up high enough and that I do not place my foot back down in such a way that would cause my ankle to twist or sprain. I am watching for those things that can trip me up.
In Hebrews 12:1 we read, “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” As we walk the race marked out for us on our discipleship path, we need God’s word to be the lamp to our feet so we can see the potential pitfalls and what might try to trip us up. When God’s word illuminates our path, we are better able to follow Him and follow His righteous laws.
Do you daily place God’s word as the lamp to your feet? Does it illuminate your path so you can keep away from the pitfalls and schemes that would try to overtake you, causing you to fall? God’s word is illuminating, as it not only lights our path, but also shows us where we are going astray; it penetrates through the darkness. I pray as you sit with God’s word each day, that the light of God’s word will illuminate your discipleship path as you continue to grow in Christ.
Prayer: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I am grateful that I do not have to walk in darkness but can have my path illuminated with your word. Help me to see clearly as I walk the path of discipleship that I might continue to grow in you, dear Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.