Our Daily Bread

Spiritual navigation

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a

light to my path. — Psalm 119:105 Dava Sobel’s award-winning book

Longitude describes a dilemma faced by early sailors. They could readily determine their latitude north or south of the equator by the length of the day or height of the sun. Calculating east/ west longitude, however, remained complex and unreliable until English clockmaker John Harrison invented the marine chronometer. This was “a clock that would carry the true time from the home port … to any remote corner of the world,” thus enabling sailors to determine longitude.

As we navigate the seas of life, we also have a reliable source of spiritual direction — the Bible. The psalmist wrote, “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my medi- tation all the day” (Ps. 119:97). Rather than occasionally glancing at God’s Word, he spoke of pondering the Lord’s directions throughout each day: “Your testimonies are my meditation” (v.99). This was coupled with a commitment to obey the Author: “I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments” (v.106).

Like the mariners of old, we need a constant guide to help us find our way and stay on course. That’s what happens when we seek the Lord day by day with an open heart and a willing spirit that says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — David McCasland

We need God’s guidance from above, His daily leading and His love; As we trust Him for direction, To our course He’ll give correction.

— Fitzhugh READ: Psalm 119:97-106 With God as your navigator, you’re headed in the right direction.