Daily Devotion

Word Before the World

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105 

Some mornings, before I even open my eyes, my mind is already racing.

The to-do list. The responsibilities. The long prayer list. The unexpected worries that crept in overnight.

It all starts swirling before my feet ever hit the floor.

And on those days, I have a choice.

I can push through on my own strength… or I can pause, open God’s Word, and let His truth set the tone for my day.

If I’m being honest — and you know I try to be — there have been plenty of mornings when I chose the first option. “I’ll get to my Bible later,” I tell myself.

Without fail, those are the days I feel scattered, short-tempered, and drained before noon.

But when I make time for Scripture, even just a few verses, something changes. God’s Word steadies me. It centers me. It reminds me who He is — and who I am — in the middle of the noise.

Psalm 119:105 says His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Not a floodlight showing the next ten miles. Just enough light for the next step.

And most days, that’s all we really need.

Think about walking through a dark woods at night. Without a light, every step feels uncertain. You’re hesitant. Careful. A little anxious. But turn on a lantern and suddenly you can move forward with confidence. You may not see far, but you can see enough.

That’s exactly what Scripture does for us.

So often we look for guidance everywhere else — social media, opinions, emotions, self-help advice. But none of those give the steady, unshakable truth God’s Word provides. When we build our day around Scripture, we start seeing life through God’s lens instead of our own.

There was a season in my life when anxiety had a tight grip on me — the kind that steals sleep and turns small concerns into big fears. I tried distractions, busy work, anything to outrun it.

Nothing really helped.

One night, worn out and wide awake, I opened my Bible and read words that stopped me in my tracks:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

I read it slowly. Then again.

It wasn’t just good advice. It was an invitation.

God wasn’t telling me to carry my worries better. He was telling me to hand them over. All of them. And He promised something in return — a guarding peace, steady and strong, like a sentry watching over my heart.

That passage from Philippians 4:6–7 became an anchor for me. And little by little, the anxiety loosened its grip.

That’s the power of Scripture.

It doesn’t just inform us. It transforms us. Fear gives way to faith. Anxiety gives way to peace.

Life will always bring challenges — disappointments, difficult people, unexpected turns. If we’re not spiritually prepared, we’ll get knocked around pretty easily. But Ephesians calls God’s Word the sword of the Spirit. It’s our weapon against lies, discouragement, and fear.

When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, He didn’t argue or debate. He answered with Scripture. Every time.

If the Son of God leaned on the Word, we probably ought to as well.

But we can’t use what we don’t know.

That’s why daily time in Scripture matters so much. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated. A few verses. A quiet moment. A cup of coffee and an open Bible before the world starts shouting.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s connection.

So before you reach for your phone, before the worries pile up, pause.

Open God’s Word.

Let it light your path.
Let it steady your heart.
Let it prepare you for whatever comes.

Because His truth isn’t just something we read.

It’s something we live.

 
Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you.
In His love and grace,

ray mileur

Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.
www.raymileurministries.com