Daily Devotional for Saturday, September 17

Purpose of the Word

As a child, I attended a church camp in the mountains above San Bernardino, California. Each year, I would look forward to a midnight moon walk as we were guided to a clearing just outside the campground. From this clearing, we saw an amazing view of the moon, stars and planets. This was rare for us city dwelling kids. However, the path from the campgrounds to the clearing was quite perilous for a group of young kids. Carrying a flashlight was an absolute must so that we could safely navigate the rugged terrain. With the voice of our guide and our flashlight in hand, we safely arrived at the clearing and then back to camp. 

God’s Word is a lamp, and the Holy Spirit is a guide for us as we navigate the rugged terrain of this life. As finite beings, we do not know what circumstances we will encounter each day. But God’s Word gives us wisdom to light our path and guide us to righteousness. Holy Spirit conviction accompanies the Word to be our guide through the rough terrain and pitfalls of this life. 

Just as a child trusted the guide and depended on the flashlight, children of God must have our lives saturated with the Word and tuned to the Holy Spirit as we navigate the pathway to the next clearing. Each season will be a new rugged pathway through unknown forests that lead to places of rest and amazing perspective, like the view from the mountain top. With the Word as our light and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can navigate each day with faith and with great anticipation of what awaits us in the clearing.

REFLECTION: God’s Word is necessary instruction for the journey of life. Have you made Bible reading and prayer an absolute priority for each day?

Steven Ridings