Psalm 119:105-112

Life’s afflictions can be so unrelenting, so difficult.  It seems the Psalmist emphasizes this in this stanza.  He is afflicted “very much” (107).  Fear for his life is constant (109).  Those who afflict him are unmerciful (110).  In the context provided by the opening verse we can say that he feels he is in the darkest of dark nights.

Several years ago my wife and I got caught out at night on a trail in Montana.  We had been able to see our way through open areas in the fading light.  But when we entered a thickly forested area it was pitch black.  We had to spend the night on the trail until morning light.  It would have been good if I had done what I tell others to do: always take a flashlight!  It’s a no-brainer.

Likewise there are times when we feel as if we are in a dense forest of affliction.  We lose our sense of direction.  We feel we must go on, and yet the darkness is so intense all we can do is wait it out.  Unless, of course, we have had the foresight to pack along a flashlight.  

The Psalmist has his flashlight.  It is the word of God (105).  He is committed to walk in the light (106) to the end of his journey (112).

It is important to note what the Word does for God’s people when they are in the darkness.  They are able to see both their feet and the path they walk.  It reveals to us the exact place we are now in our pilgrimage.  

To use the hiking metaphor again might help us to understand the blessing of the Word.  When hiking it helps to have a map that informs us of the entire journey as well as a compass to give us our bearings.  These give the big picture.  Every now and then along the way we may stop for rest and look ahead to see where we are headed.  But then when we begin again to walk our eyes must have their main focus on where our feet are at that moment on the trail.  Otherwise we stumble.  If it is dark we lose our way and our situation becomes impossible.

We often liken God’s word to a map and a compass, and that it is.  But it also sheds light on the immediate situation.  How vital it is that His word be part of our daily walk.  How important it is that God’s word be hidden in our hearts and fresh in our minds so that we have His light for every step along the way.