Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet

A friend emailed us recently about danger in God’s mission field. Over the years we’ve faced danger and opposition here in Haiti, some of which we’ve shared on the blog and some of which we haven’t. In his email he asked us what our perspective on danger was.

As I was mulling over his question, God directed me to scripture to encourage him and his family. How does He do that? Well John 14:26 says:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

God directed me to His Word:

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

He then reminded me that He knows everything about us:

Psalm 139: 1-6 

1 O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Psalm 139:16-18

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

He knows us better than we know ourselves and He has compassion on us:

Psalm 103:13-14

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

He promises to be always with us: 

Hebrews 13:5b-6

5 for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

He values us and tells us there is more than just this temporal life: 

Mathew 10:28-31

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

In Him only is peace in any situation:

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The Holy Spirit comforts and teaches us: 

John 14:16

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Our times are in His hands; we can’t add a single moment to our lives: 

Psalm 31:14-15a

But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand:

Psalm 104:29b

Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

He is trustworthy:

Job 13:15a

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:

Our citizenship is not of this earth: 

Phil 3:20

For our conversation(citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 11:13-16

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

God is preparing a place for us:

John 14:2

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

He will wipe every tear from our eye:

Revelations 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

In His presence is fullness of joy: 

Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Replace worry with prayer and He will give you peace:

Phil 4:6-7 

Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.