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A Lamp-Lit Path Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) Have you ever walked along a path in the dark? If so, you most likely pulled out your phone and used the flashlight feature to illuminate the path. If you hold the flashlight way up high, you can see far ahead of you. Holding the flashlight above your head shows a large portion of the path. On the other hand, if you hold the flashlight low, you see just a few feet or even inches ahead of you. Drop- ping the flashlight down to your feet will show just a part of the path. How high the flashlight is held deter- mines how far ahead you can see. In our verse above, the psalmist describes God's Word as "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." God's Word illuminates our path in life. His promises provide a firm foundation for our feet. His presence reminds us that we never walk alone. God's Law keeps us from wandering off the path and into the bramble of sin. God's Gospel proclaims mercy and forgiveness for all the times we have strayed from His path of righteous- ness. Like a flashlight shining in the darkness, God's Word illuminates our path and gives us confidence for our journey through life. Nevertheless, God does not promise how much of the path He will illuminate. Yes, God's Word is a light for our path. Yet, sometimes, the light shines on only a few feet of it. God never promised to illuminate the whole path so we can see far ahead into the future. Often, God shows only enough of the path to help us take the next step. Perhaps you are reading this and God has illuminated your path for the next several years. Maybe you have a clear path forward through the next several years through college or work. Thanks be to God that He has revealed a large portion of the path to you! Perhaps you are reading this and God has illuminated your path for only the next several months. Maybe you know where God is directing your life in the near future, but not in the distant future. Press on and know that God will further illuminate your steps when you get there! Perhaps you are reading this and God has illuminated your path for only the next couple of days or hours. This can be a hard place to be. Maybe you do not know where God is leading your life tomorrow. (Truth be told, we are all in this place; we don't really know what God has planned for us tomorrow.) Take heart and know that He is still leading you through His promises and mercy. No matter what, God's Word guides our path. Even if you cannot see the whole path ahead, know that you never walk alone: "He will not leave you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). It's much easier making a hard de- cision, going to college, or beginning a new job know- ing that Jesus is with you. He knows where He is going. He knows where He is leading you. Journey on! w BY A. TREVOR SUTTON Did you enjoy these two devotions? Find over 60 more written for youth about the questions and life issues they face every day in Words of Strength and Promise. Order copies for your youth at cph.org /wordsofstrength. WORDS OF STRENGTH AND PROMISE Lutheran Life 23

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