Watch Where You’re Going!

We often hear stories of someone who was using his/her cell phone to text a message while driving and it resulted in an accident.  Living in this age of “techno-everything”, thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia have created laws prohibiting texting while driving.  Some states prohibit drivers from using cell phones or other hand-held devices at all while driving.  In the most simplistic sense, laws serve the primary purpose of providing a sense of order to protect people from being harmed or harming others.

Our Almighty LORD God  set all things in order from the creation until now.  However, we humans seem to think sometimes that we have a better way than our Father and Lord Jesus.  In the long Psalm (as some refer to it) 119 we find so much, but today I’d like to just examine the vital “precepts given from heaven”.  The importance of the Word to guide us in our everyday walk with the Lord.

Psalm 119: 100-106 “I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts (**laws, rules, guidelines**).  I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.  I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me(3).  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.  Your word is a lamp(1) to my feet and a light to my path (2).  I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.

Imagine yourself on vacation in a beautiful countryside resort.  You had a pleasant day with the family and go to bed thankful for such a relaxing day.   Suddenly you’re awakened by a loud clap of thunder followed by a fierce storm.  The wind roared, the rain poured but all seemed well until the power went out. There you were in complete darkness!   You stumbled out of bed , tripped over your own shoes by the side of the bed and banged your shin on a table in the middle of the room before you found the door.  Finally, some light… or so you thought.  Nope just darkness!  No outdoor light, no stars or moon and you had no idea which way lead to the resort’s office.   You stood there in dark silence thinking “If I only came prepared and brought a flashlight and a lantern with me.”

It’s impossible to see in the darkness without light.  It’s impossible to pay attention to where we are going when we distracted by texting on a cell while driving. 

I envision the Word as a  flashlight in one hand and a lantern in the other hand.  The flashlight to keep my attention on where I step (1) and the lantern to light the path ahead (2).   But I must pay attention to where I am going at all times (3).

“This book (the Bible) will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.” 

Dwight L. Moody