Nightlife is a collective term for entertainment that is more popular from the late evening into the early hours of the morning. It may include pubs, bars, hangouts, nightclubs, parties, theaters and some restaurants. These venues often require a cover charge.

For some reason, Psalm 119:105 has been pressing me for the last week or so. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” I simply pondered the difference in the lamp and the light. Why didn’t the writer, thought to be David, just say “thy word is a light to my feet and path”?

I now believe there is a distinct reason for associating the lamp to our feet and the placement of that combination before the “lighted path”. The lamp emphasizes how personal our faith walk is. Each person is responsible for carrying the word of God, which is our only true and sustaining source of light in this dark world. The lamp of a friend may aid us in seeing some things but will not be enough to shed light on the very personal traps that have been set for us. We must take care of the word, take care to do as it instructs, recognizing that it guides our footsteps and in dark places is the only thing that keeps us from falling into the holes, ditches and traps that have been strategically placed along our path.

Back in the day, lamps were fed with oil to ensure they continued to be useful throughout the night. The lamps were lighted every evening and cleansed every morning. There are some families in other countries who still regard the lighting of lamps as essential to health and comfort.

We must keep alert, noticing when our lamp’s flame is dim so that we can re-fill through the study of God’s word, lest we allow the flame of our lamp to go out in the darkest places of our journey. Even when we mess up, it is God’s precious words that assures us of new mercies each day and His blood that cleanses us from unrighteousness.

When we do the work to keep the word of God alive and illuminating in us and through us, we can be assured that we are safe and on the right path, no matter how rough the road gets.

This is the real “nightlife” that never requires a charge, for Jesus our Savior has already paid it all.