I am a child of the ’80s. Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith’s Thy Word based on Psalm 119:105 (“Thy word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path”) is emblazoned on my heart. God’s word provides direction and clarity for our journey. Vacation Bible school programs when I was young taught me the pledge to the Bible:
I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, and will hide its word in my heart that I might not sin against God.
I have written in a previous Cued In article about the importance of committing scripture to memory. Proverbs 3:5–6 remind us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” When we internalize these words, they always seem to resurface at just the right time, when life’s challenges seem insurmountable, helping to reorient us to Christ and strengthening our faith.
We learn of God’s character, heart, and will through scripture. God’s word cultivates spiritual disciplines, purifies our hearts, renews our minds, and transforms our character to be more like Christ. As we take God’s word into our lives, it provides comfort, peace, and strength for the journey.
The discipline of memorizing scripture builds spiritual resilience. Life inevitably brings trials, suffering, and moments of despair. In these dark valleys, our words will fall short, but God’s Word remains a strong beacon, like a lighthouse in a storm. Passages of hope and endurance, such as Psalm 23, Psalm 56:3, or Philippians 4:6–7, provide solace and strength when everything else around us seems to be crumbling. God’s word serves as a powerful reminder of our Savior’s presence and faithfulness, enabling us to persevere with hope.
Suzanne Lord’s wonderful children’s choir anthem Do You Know Your Shepherd’s Voice? gives us a glimpse into how we can better listen to our Shepherd:
Do you know your Shepherd’s voice?
Are you listening with your heart?
Have you stopped to hear Him calling, felt the peace His words impart?
As the world shouts its orders that are easiest to hear
Won’t you draw away and listen to your Shepherd standing near?
Are you listening to your Shepherd?
Do you know your Shepherd’s voice?
This simple text paired with the beauty of children’s voices is a powerful call to step away from the hustle and bustle of the world so we can hear the words of life. This also brings to mind the old hymn Open My Eyes That I May See written by Clara Scott in 1895. The second verse calls us to listen and be mindful of the whisperings of God’s Spirit in our lives.
Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave-notes fall on my ear, ev’rything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for Thee, ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Listen up, friends! Jesus has the words of life. Are you listening to your Shepherd?
Do you know your Shepherd’s voice? Can you create the space for stillness and silence so you can hear?
