This verse reminds me of the power outage of 2021, when darkness covered the entire state of Texas. Alone in my dark bedroom, I relied on a flashlight to guide me to the bathroom. I also relied on muscle memory to find my way. Neither replaced the brightness of the light provided by electricity, but they got me to my destination. Both involved trust and taking small steps as the light allowed.

Psalm 18:28 is one example of the many verses that use lamp, light, and removing darkness as descriptors of God’s interaction with humanity. Traditionally attributed to King David in his later years, the chapter is a song of thanksgiving and deliverance. King David is reflecting on all the times God rescued him from his enemies.

The two parts of verse 28 are significant because the metaphor evokes a specific image for the ancient Hebrew reader. In the ancient Hebrew culture, a lamp was a small, fragile clay dish with a wick. It did not cast a massive floodlight; instead, it provided just enough light for a person to see and take the very next step. Saying God “lights my lamp” or keeps it burning means life, spiritual clarity, and guidance depend completely on God rather than human self-reliance. “Darkness” in the Bible represents trials, danger, confusion, despair, or feeling cornered. When David writes that God lightens or transforms his darkness, he acknowledges God’s power to break through crises, restore hope, and lead a person out of overwhelming situations.

We have access to the same light through faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit offers the same light for or our lamp no matter how small it is. Sometimes He only lights our path for the next step because that’s all we can manage.

dailyinspiration #lightinthedarkness