“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.” Psalms 119:105-106 NLT
I love this idea of grit being a major factor of success in many pursuits. Wikipedia writes, “Grit is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual’s perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular long-term goal or end state (a powerful motivation to achieve an objective). This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie on the path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization.” I believe this determination was a necessary quality in my education, both in a B.A. and M.A. And, now I have come to realize how important grit is in my relationships, with God first and also with others.
You can hear this in the Psalmist words, “I’ve promised,” and “I will.” It is said that this Psalm was called the “Manual of devotion” by Ezra. Using God’s word as a constant guide, not just as a moral map, but also as a manual of love, understanding God’s most intimate thoughts. The Psalmist writes one of the most beloved phrases for us to visually understand how to navigate the darkness of our existence – God’s word is a light to guide us and safely keep us on the narrow path.
Prayer
Dad,
How often do I look for some kind of illumination when I feel I am stumbling along in darkness? To think of grabbing a lamp, a torch (as the brits say) or flashlight is so simple when the power goes out. I am so thankful to not just pick up your Word in emergencies but with determination and grit, to regularly store up verses like this one that guide me. Committing it to memory helps me gain quick access to your powerful and living word! I too promise and will obey your decrees!